Culture Shock Experiences While Traveling and How to Deal With Them!

1. First Time At A Supermarket Abroad

"I remember the first time I shopped at a supermarket outside Nigeria. I stood at the exit, looking for the security guard who would validate my shopping receipt before I left the store. I stood at the door, like the good ambassador of Nigeria that I am, watching all the disobedient people walking out without showing their receipts to any security guard. I was at that door for about five minutes before my brain finally clocked what was going on.
I returned to Nigeria and was never the same again. Now, I approach security guards who validate receipts with some skepticism and attitude. What do you mean I should give you my receipt? Are you calling me a thief?"

2. Zebra Crossing Is A Thing???

"Zebra crossing is a thing in the UK and everywhere else?! You mean if I stayed in the middle of the road, nobody would curse me and try to break my legs? And you mean I don't have to run like a crazy person to get to the other end of the road? I still ran from one end to the other, sha, because my brain could not even fathom."

3. Never Eating Roasted Meat Again

"I stayed in China for a few years, and during that whole time, I ate roasted meat, not knowing it was, in fact, donkey meat. Donkey!!!"

4. Driverless Cars? What Sorcery!

"There are driverless cars in the US. You get in the back, and the car drives you wherever you go. You can control the music and put on your own tunes!! Bit mad seeing a wheel turning and no one controlling it.
They also have drive-thru pharmacies, and everything is huge - Google Maps, don't look far - it is!"

5. My "Oh Whoa" Moment in Dubai

"I spent 3 weeks in Dubai in 2017 and did not hear a single horn! Drivers also wait for pedestrians to cross. And oh! Air conditioned bus stops. When I came back to Nigeria and started hearing horns again, I had a headache every day till my body readjusted."

6. Talk About Getting My Steps In!

"Maybe not on vacation, but it was on a work trip to Japan.
It was how much people had to walk and how much of a luxury ride-hailing was. Walkable cities are great, but, oh boy!"

7. Why Can't London Be That Quiet

"I spent some time in Australia, and OH MY GOD, it was so quiet. I was baffled but definitely pleased since it was a well-needed break from the noise in London. Everyone is also suspiciously friendly. A random person could walk up to me and start chatting me up like they've known me forever."

8. Do I Hate Sundays Now?

"Time zones in Qatar will always shock me, but finding out Friday is the start of their weekend and practically a holiday, while Sunday is the start of their week was surprising. So, basically, you know how everyone hates "Monday"? In Qatar, it's Sunday."

9. London's Too Sweet For Me

"London takes a sweet tooth to the next level! It's one thing to request pepper in your meals because 9 out of 10 times, there won't be any, but finding out there could even be sugar in your soup is shocking. Everything is sweet!"

10. Going Dutch 101: Eat At Home

"First time in Canada, I made some friends, and one invited me to her birthday dinner. I was excited and skipped lunch that day as I thought there would be free food. I ordered a lot at the venue, and after dinner, I heard one person ask, "How are we splitting the bill?". I turned and asked what that meant, and they explained that each person pays for what you ordered/ate. With a confused face, I wondered why I had to pay when I had just honoured an invitation to a birthday dinner. It was then explained to me that's how it's done here. In Kenya, the celebrant pays for anybody honouring the birthday invitation. The idea is that guests are taking the time to come and celebrate your birthday, so the least you can do is pay for their food. Sometimes, the host/celebrant checks if everybody is eating enough or if there is something they could offer. They might get offended if you don't eat enough. This happened years ago, and I still don't understand why I thought what I knew was the norm everywhere."

11. Definitely Going Back

"I traveled to Montenegro recently; it's a very beautiful country. The food was expensive but really nice, and the service was top-notch. They stare a lot, but that's not what got me. It was strange how flirty they were; the compliments were a lot and so random. I'm not complaining, but given where I come from, it was weird at first seeing them so open."

12. England Was Culture Shock Overload

"England was culture shock overload. First, no one uses umbrellas because of how strong the winds are. Had to figure that out the hard way. There are no air conditioners or fans in the houses, and I went from verbally greeting people to simply acknowledging them with a smile. I was told to go back home to rest by the GP after waiting to see them for 6 hours - not even Panadol was prescribed. And oh, learning to drive on the right side of the road instead of the left side, still getting used to that. But none of these experiences shocked me more than paying for shopping bags and drinking tap water!!"

13. Never Again!

"Not being acknowledged in Saudi Arabia because I was standing with my husband, even when I did the asking and watched my husband getting responded to. I eventually started keeping quiet and storing my anger. Then there was the time I went to Djibouti and ate only bread and chocolate every day, and not by choice."

How To Deal With Culture

• Keep an Open Mind: Embrace the adventure with an open heart. Let go of expectations and assumptions, and be ready to see and experience new things.
• Do Your Homework: Before you travel, research your destination. Knowing what to expect can help reduce surprises and ease your transition.
• Find a Safe Haven or Explore: If you're homesick, find a cosy café or a quiet park to relax. You could also explore the country to better understand its history and culture.
• Make Friends: Connecting with locals is the best way to adapt to a new environment. They are in the best position to guide you through their way of life. Be approachable and friendly.
• Stay Connected to Home: Bring personal items that remind you of home. Photos, mementoes, or even your favourite snacks can give comfort and a sense of familiarity.
• Learn the Language: A few basic phrases can help you connect with locals and feel more comfortable.
• Try Local Cuisine: Trying local foods can be a fun and delicious way to learn more about the place you're in.
• Stay Positive: Keep a positive attitude and view every experience as a chance to learn and grow. Document your journey to reflect on later.

Conclusion

New cultures and traditions can be very different, both good and bad. But this should encourage you to travel and see the world. So, any chance you get, try to explore new ways of life.