Culture Shock Sudanese refugees coming to America

Thanh Minh 88

12 May 201104:59

Summary

TLDRThe transcript captures a conversation highlighting the cultural and lifestyle differences between Africa and the United States. It touches on the challenges of adapting to new environments, such as unfamiliar food, language barriers, and societal norms. The speaker expresses surprise at the lack of community warmth in the U.S., contrasting it with the welcoming nature of their African community. The narrative also includes a discussion on the freedom and opportunities available in the U.S., which are starkly different from their experiences in Africa. Additionally, there's mention of a meeting addressing community tensions between local merchants and African boys in Pittsburgh.

Takeaways

💧 People in some regions collect water from rivers using containers for personal use and cleaning.
🏠 The concept of 'apartment living' is unfamiliar to some, indicating a cultural or lifestyle difference.
🔌 Lack of electricity is a reality for some, making it difficult to imagine its absence for those who have never experienced it.
🍽️ Food quality and preparation can vary greatly between cultures, with some finding it challenging to adjust to new tastes.
🧼 Simple items like soap can be unfamiliar to those from different backgrounds, highlighting the diversity of daily life essentials.
🥔 Food preparation methods, such as making 'chips' from potatoes, differ across regions and can be a point of cultural learning.
🍩 Cultural norms around food waste and cleanliness are evident, with some societies having strict practices about disposal and cleanliness.
🌐 The perception of friendliness varies between cultures, with some places being more reserved and others more open and welcoming.
🗣️ Communication and the willingness to help strangers can be significantly different from one society to another.
🏢 In some communities, there are tensions between local businesses and groups of people, leading to meetings to address these issues.
🌍 The experience of living in a new country can be overwhelming, with many adjustments needed to adapt to a different way of life.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the script?
-The main topic of discussion in the script revolves around the experiences and observations of individuals, likely from Africa, who are adapting to life in a new environment, possibly the United States. They discuss cultural differences, daily life, and the challenges they face in their new surroundings.
Why do people go to the river with containers in the script?
-In the script, people go to the river with containers to draw water for themselves, suggesting that they might not have access to clean water at home or that they are collecting water for domestic use.
What is 'busing' mentioned in the script, and why is it significant?
-The term 'busing' in the script seems to be a misunderstanding or mispronunciation of 'bus,' which is a mode of public transportation. The significance lies in the speaker's unfamiliarity with common transportation systems in the new environment.
What does the speaker mean by 'apartment I've' in the script?
-The phrase 'apartment I've' is likely a reference to an apartment complex, which is a type of residential building with multiple units. The speaker might be expressing their unfamiliarity with such living arrangements.
Why does the speaker mention not having used electricity in the script?
-The speaker's mention of not having used electricity before suggests that they come from an area where such basic amenities are not available, highlighting the stark differences in living standards between their origin and their current location.
What is the speaker's opinion about the food in the United States compared to their home country?
-The speaker humorously notes that the food in the United States is not as good as what they are used to, possibly indicating a preference for traditional or familiar cuisines.
What does the speaker find surprising about the use of soap in the new environment?
-The speaker expresses surprise at the small size of the soap they encounter, which they might not have seen before, indicating a difference in product sizes or types between their home country and the new location.
How do the locals in Africa react when someone is lost, according to the script?
-In Africa, as described in the script, locals are more likely to approach and assist someone who appears lost, offering directions and engaging in conversation, which contrasts with the more reserved behavior observed in the United States.
What is the issue with the boys entering stores in large numbers mentioned in the script?
-The script mentions that merchants have filed complaints about groups of boys entering their stores, feeling intimidated. This led to a meeting to advise the boys not to travel in groups, reflecting cultural differences and possible misunderstandings.
How does the speaker describe the freedom in the United States compared to their home country?
-The speaker notes that there is a lot of freedom in the United States that they did not have in their home country, suggesting a significant cultural and societal shift in their experience.
What is the speaker's overall sentiment about the changes they are experiencing?
-The speaker expresses a sense of irritation and difficulty in adapting to the new environment, indicating that the transition is challenging and that they are still trying to understand and become acquainted with their new life.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Cultural Differences and Adaptation

The speaker discusses the challenges of adapting to a new culture, particularly in the United States, after coming from Africa. They mention the unfamiliarity with common amenities like electricity and the concept of 'apartments'. They also touch upon the differences in food, specifically the preparation of potatoes, which are called 'chips' and sold in bags after being sliced and fried. The speaker expresses a sense of isolation and the lack of friendliness from locals, contrasting it with the warmth and helpfulness they experienced in Sudan. They also mention the cultural shock of not being able to ask for directions or help from strangers without fear of police intervention, unlike in their home country. The paragraph ends with a reflection on the difficulty of integrating into a new society and the feeling of being treated differently because of their African origin.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Apartment

An apartment refers to a self-contained housing unit that is part of a larger building. In the context of the video, it seems to be a place where the speaker has never lived, suggesting a contrast between their previous living conditions and the urban settings they are now in. The script mentions, 'there's something called apartment I've never had met and I've never seen it,' indicating a cultural or lifestyle shift.

💡Busing

Busing likely refers to the act of transporting oneself using a bus, a common form of public transportation. The speaker mentions 'for busing,' which could imply a change in their daily commute or a new experience of using public transport in a different country. This term is used to highlight the differences in infrastructure and lifestyle between their home country and the United States.

💡Electricity

Electricity is the flow of electrons through a conductor, providing power for various devices and appliances. The script mentions that the speaker has 'never used electricity,' which could indicate a lack of access to basic utilities in their previous environment. This keyword underscores the disparity in living standards and the challenges of adapting to modern conveniences.

💡Cultural Differences

Cultural differences refer to the variations in customs, beliefs, and social behaviors among different societies. The video script highlights these differences through the speaker's observations, such as 'people know you're from Africa, they say why you from Africa yes,' which reflects the curiosity and sometimes misconceptions that arise from cultural diversity.

💡Food Preparation

Food preparation involves the processes of making food items ready for consumption. The script discusses how potatoes are prepared differently in Africa, 'they make it different way they call this chips,' which illustrates the diversity in culinary practices and the speaker's experience with new food cultures.

💡Waste Disposal

Waste disposal is the process of getting rid of unwanted materials. The video mentions 'we do not throw things away through the window,' which contrasts with practices the speaker might have been familiar with and introduces the concept of environmental responsibility and urban living norms.

💡Donuts

Donuts are a type of fried dough food that is a popular snack in many cultures. The script describes donuts with colored sprinkles, 'these are donuts these are colored sprinkles that we decorated with,' which serves as an example of a familiar food item but with a different presentation, highlighting the cultural nuances in food enjoyment.

💡Intimidation

Intimidation is the act of making someone feel afraid or insecure. The script refers to merchants feeling intimidated by boys entering their stores in large numbers, 'merchants in Daniel and Panther's neighborhood have filed complaints with the local police,' which brings up issues of community relations and the perception of safety in public spaces.

💡Freedom

Freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. The speaker reflects on the concept of freedom in the United States, 'you have a lot of freedom here that you didn't have,' which could be a commentary on the liberties and personal rights that are valued in the country but may be experienced differently by newcomers.

💡Accommodating to New Life

Accommodating to new life refers to the process of adapting to a new environment or way of living. The script captures the speaker's struggle and curiosity about adjusting to life in a new country, 'I don't know how we going to be acquainted with this life here,' which is a common theme for immigrants and individuals experiencing significant life changes.

💡Community Interaction

Community interaction involves the social engagement and communication among members of a community. The video script contrasts the levels of interaction in different cultures, 'you cannot go to the house of somebody who you don't know though you are all Americans,' which raises questions about the dynamics of social support and the sense of community in varying settings.

Highlights

People in some areas use containers to draw water from rivers for personal use.

The concept of 'busing' is unfamiliar to the speaker, indicating a cultural difference.

The speaker has never used electricity, which is a significant lifestyle difference.

In the United States, the food quality is perceived as inferior compared to what the speaker is accustomed to.

The speaker humorously confuses 'food' with 'soap' due to a lack of familiarity with certain products.

In Africa, potatoes are prepared differently, such as being sliced, fried, and sold as 'chips' in bags.

There is a cultural practice of not discarding items out of windows but instead placing them in designated areas.

The speaker is introduced to donuts and colored sprinkles, which are new to them.

The speaker expresses amazement at the unfamiliarity of the surroundings and the need for adaptation.

There is a disconnect between the speaker's understanding of Christianity and its local interpretation.

The speaker notes the lack of friendliness in the United States, contrasting with the welcoming nature of Sudanese people.

In Sudan, people are more open to helping strangers and engaging in conversation.

The speaker finds it challenging to connect with the local community due to cultural and social differences.

Local merchants have filed complaints about groups of boys entering their stores, indicating a social tension.

The speaker acknowledges the freedom in the United States that was not present in their country of origin.

The speaker reflects on the significant cultural and lifestyle changes they are experiencing.