TINGGAL DI AMERIKA | CULTURE SHOCK | PURI VIERA

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their culture shock experiences after moving to California from Indonesia. They discuss differences such as the friendly greetings Americans offer to strangers, the tradition of treating the birthday person instead of them paying for others, tipping expectations in restaurants, and the addition of sales tax on purchases. Other cultural differences include the use of miles, pounds, and Fahrenheit, physical greetings like hugs, and the sensitivity around personal topics like race, religion, and sexual orientation. Despite initial confusion, the speaker reflects positively on the adjustments and the kindness they’ve encountered in the U.S.

Takeaways

• 😀 People in California greet strangers with 'Hi, how are you?' even if they don't know them, which felt strange at first.
• 😀 Unlike in Indonesia, where the birthday person often treats others, in the U.S. the birthday person is pampered and celebrated by friends.
• 😀 Tipping in restaurants is expected in the U.S., typically 15% of the bill, which can feel frustrating at times, especially if the service isn't great.
• 😀 Sales tax is added to purchases in the U.S., making the final price higher than expected, unlike in Indonesia.
• 😀 The U.S. uses miles, pounds, and Fahrenheit instead of the metric system, which can be confusing at first but becomes easier with time.
• 😀 In the U.S., people often greet close friends and family with hugs, while in Indonesia, people typically greet with cheek-to-cheek kisses (cipika-cipiki).
• 😀 People in the U.S. avoid discussing sensitive topics like race, religion, or sexual orientation in casual conversations to maintain inclusivity and kindness.
• 😀 The culture of asking about someone's well-being in the U.S. isn't meant to get an actual answer but is a casual greeting.
• 😀 The speaker initially struggled with speaking to others due to fear of making mistakes, but gradually became more comfortable.
• 😀 The speaker appreciates the kindness-focused approach in the U.S. and believes that race, religion, and sexual orientation should not matter in relationships.

Q & A

What is the definition of culture shock according to the speaker?

Culture shock is described as the personal disorientation a person may feel when experiencing a new and unfamiliar culture, such as through immigration, travel, or a significant life change.

What was the speaker's first culture shock experience when moving to California?

The speaker's first culture shock was how friendly people in California were. Strangers would greet them with 'Hi, how are you?' even though they didn’t know each other.

How do greetings in California differ from those in Indonesia?

In California, strangers casually greet each other with 'Hi, how are you?' whereas in Indonesia, greetings are more formal, like 'Selamat pagi' or 'Selamat siang,' and only close acquaintances ask about each other’s well-being.

What is the difference in how birthdays are celebrated in Indonesia versus the U.S.?

In Indonesia, the birthday person is expected to treat others and pay for meals, while in the U.S., the birthday person is treated by friends and receives gifts.

How does the tipping culture in the U.S. differ from other countries?

In the U.S., tipping is mandatory and usually 15% of the bill, which can feel obligatory even if the service is subpar. In contrast, tipping is not always expected in many other countries.

What is the sales tax situation in the U.S. as mentioned in the video?

In the U.S., sales tax is added on top of the listed price of products, such as clothing, and can be around 10% depending on the state.

What are the differences in measurement units between the U.S. and Indonesia?

The U.S. uses miles, pounds, feet, and Fahrenheit for measurements, whereas Indonesia uses kilometers, kilograms, meters, and Celsius.

How do people greet each other in the U.S. compared to Indonesia?

In the U.S., people often hug close friends or family when greeting them, while in Indonesia, greetings can involve cheek kissing or handshakes, especially with older people.

Why does the speaker appreciate the practice of hugging in the U.S.?

The speaker enjoys the practice of hugging because it feels more personal and affectionate compared to other forms of greetings like cheek kissing or handshakes.

What is the speaker's opinion on discussing personal topics like race or religion in the U.S.?

The speaker believes that in the U.S., topics like race, religion, and sexual orientation are considered sensitive and people avoid discussing them. The speaker prefers this approach, emphasizing kindness over such differences.