CULTURAL SHOCK

Recently I have been reading a book about a family that moved to Nepal to work as volunteers in a small hospital. The author speaks about his expectation upon arrival and what he found surprising during his time there. I found myself relating to the subject of cultural shock. I cannot remember specific examples of people telling me that I would experience it, but I do feel that there must have been some reference to it. Maybe this is what I told myself, what others may have said, or what I have picked up from reading.

My understanding of cultural shock was that it was having to deal with the spicy food, hard beds, regular cold showers with no pressure, not being able to understand the language, being stared at no matter where you go. However reading this book I have come to see that what he experienced had crept into my everyday life. Because Cultural shock goes past the physical, it is also the way we treat others.

Culture is simply the way we do things in our country. The way we drive, talk, deal with strangers and interact with friends that have come to visit. For the most part these are not really right or wrong- it is just the way we do things. But, I have found myself seeing the way I do things to be the correct way-even the best way. I have assumed an arrogance that I did not even realise was there, it had crept up on me because I thought I was right. I have experienced Culture shock in a way that I didn't even realise.

Slowly I have had to learn that my way is not the only way. The Western world may have many advantages but it doesn't mean that it is all right. I may have had the benefit of an education that many here could not, but the way I treat people needs to be free of the condescension that is part of the everyday expat community here. However, respecting their culture doesn't mean I look the other way when someone is going to put butter on a burn. Or when the neighbours burn rubber products outside their house I will ask them to stop because it is not good for their kids.

LEARNING TO DRIVE

Sri Lankan driving definitely has a style all of its own. As anyone who has visited here can attest, it is enough to make an Aussie laugh, cringe, close their eyes or cry, depending on their temperament. You may ask yourself, "Where do these people learn to drive?". Allow me to enlighten you.

There are indeed driving schools, as we have in Australia. Aspiring drivers practise by driving the instructor around town (no task for the faint-hearted!), just as you might expect. However, it might be appropriate to mention that the vehicle is not a car, it's a van. The driver has maybe 6 other passengers apart from the instructor, sitting patiently in the back. They are the rest of the class. Lessons last for around 2 hours, with students taking turns at being the driver. Each student drives for around 15 to 20 minutes and spends the rest of the time as a passenger. I suppose you'd be hoping that the rest of your class are good drivers!