Traveling to a far and unknown country is exciting and adventurous, and it is definitely one of the reasons why we want to travel overseas in the first place. Watching decomentaries and adventure programs on TV only adds to the itch to go and see for oneself. But, being jetted to a strange society, being inside the TV documentary as it were, may expose the traveler to phenomenon called culture shock. It is just that simple; after arriving in the new cultural environment one may experience a shock, because immersion into a foreign culture leaves you without many of the accepted social rules and regulations of one's own culture. It's impossible to switch off the program, we are right inside it. This is reality and we have to cope with a language that is different, with people who behave differently, with sight and sounds that are unfamiliar, with body language that is different. We have to adjust to food that is different. Everything is different, even the humor. It may be positively exciting, but in some cases it can become too overwhelming and you may feel shocked. Culture schock is more than confusion. It usually comes in stages and the worst stage, which fortunately not everyone experience, is the one where the visitor completely rejects the culture and can only see its negative sides and just wants to go home.
In most, if not all countries, there are courses to prepare travelers to understand the most important aspects of the foreign culture and to reduce culture shock as much as possible. There are also books on preventing culture shock. How about Indonesia? Not everything is romantic and not everything is beautiful. Traveling through Indonesia, foreign tourists may begin to suffer culture shock after a week or two.With so many new impressions to process, it is not surprising if culture shock occurs. Suddenly the traveler wants to go home. He complains about the food and is prone to make an issue out of even the most insignificant mishap. He may have more than enough of the sight of another group of vendors offering their souvenirs of snack. He is sick and tired of having to admire yet another temple. There are many opportunities to experiences without a shock. In fact there are so many of these, that many a visitor, after returning home experience culture shock right in their hometown. Some or many of the aspects in their own culture suddenly may seem odd or no longer valid. This phenomenon is known as re-entry shock may be more difficult than it seems. In bad cases, the traveler may need up to 6 months or longer to re-adjust to the situation at home and to lose the acute sense of yearning to be back in Indonesia.
The best way to prevent both culture shock and re-entry culture shock is to be aware that it may hit, and to be prepared. Read as much as you can before setting off on your trip. This blog, by going into some key aspects of the behavior of Indonesians, hopes to contribute to make your stay in Indonesia a very positive and enjoyable one. Enjoyment comes with understanding and understanding comes with communicating. The Indonesian language or Bahasa Indonesia is what most Indonesianst use to communications? For as long as you are not fluent in Indonesian, use any language and use your hands and feet to convey a message. If you let your messages come with a smile, many doors will open!
Have fun!
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