Why we need to embrace culture shock | Kristofer Gilmour | TEDxTownsville

Summary

The speaker shares their experience of navigating culture shock while traveling through India and how it transformed into what they call 'culture comfort.' They emphasize embracing newness rather than fearing it, proposing a three-step process: wander aimlessly to immerse in local surroundings, engage in everyday tasks to become part of the environment, and reflect on experiences to understand personal growth. The approach highlights the importance of adjusting to unfamiliar situations with curiosity and optimism, allowing individuals to adapt, learn, and integrate into new cultures without the burden of culture shock.

Takeaways

• 🏍️ The speaker shares a story about an unintended journey through India, which led to an unexpected and valuable experience.
• 😨 Culture shock is described as the disorienting sensation when confronted with unfamiliar sights, sounds, and experiences in a new place.
• 🔍 Instead of resisting newness, the speaker suggests embracing it by using a three-step formula: *Flânerie* (wandering), embracing the space, and reflection.
• 👀 *Flânerie* (wandering) means taking time to observe surroundings without a specific goal, allowing unexpected insights to emerge.
• 📍 Step two, embracing space, involves participating in local daily activities to increase comfort and reduce the initial shock of unfamiliarity.
• 📝 Reflection is key to solidifying new experiences and understanding the process of cultural adaptation. Writing or journaling is encouraged.
• 🌍 The speaker highlights that culture shock isn’t just about traveling; it can happen in any new situation, such as starting a new job or joining a new community.
• 🧠 Overcoming culture shock involves recognizing its symptoms, embracing discomfort, and actively seeking to engage with the new environment.
• 💪 Stepping outside one’s comfort zone and confronting the fear of newness is necessary for building a sense of belonging.
• 🌟 The overall message is to approach new environments with curiosity, patience, and openness, viewing them as opportunities for growth and learning.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's message?

The speaker's message revolves around the experience of culture shock and how to transition from culture shock to 'culture comfort' by embracing new environments, immersing oneself in the unfamiliar, and reflecting on the experience.

How does the speaker describe the initial feeling of culture shock?

The speaker describes culture shock as overwhelming and disorienting, where sensory input like smells, sounds, and sights overload the brain, making it difficult to process the new environment. There's a feeling of being lost, confused, and disconnected from what’s familiar.

What analogy does the speaker use to describe trying to adapt old behaviors in a new culture?

The speaker compares it to trying to pedal a bike after the chain has come off. Despite wanting to do things the same way as at home, it might not work in a new environment, emphasizing the need for adaptation.

What are the three steps the speaker proposes to overcome culture shock?

The three steps are: 1) 'Flânerie' or wandering around and observing, 2) embracing the space around and engaging in everyday activities, and 3) reflection, which involves thinking about and learning from the experience.

Why does the speaker emphasize 'wandering' as the first step in dealing with culture shock?

Wandering allows people to observe their surroundings and absorb the new environment gradually. It helps to familiarize oneself with the place without the pressure of fitting in immediately, making it easier to transition from unfamiliarity to comfort.

What personal story does the speaker share to illustrate culture shock?

The speaker shares a story about living in Delhi and instinctively seeking out a supermarket for groceries, even though there were local ways to get milk and vegetables. This illustrates how people tend to revert to familiar behaviors in new environments, even when other, more convenient local options exist.

What is the significance of 'embracing the space' in the speaker’s approach?

'Embracing the space' involves engaging with the local environment and performing everyday tasks, like buying groceries or finding a coffee shop. This participation in daily activities helps to bridge the gap between newness and comfort, allowing for a gradual adjustment to the culture.

How does the speaker describe the relationship between newness and culture comfort?

The speaker explains that as the newness of an environment decreases through exposure and participation in daily norms, 'culture comfort' increases. Engaging with local practices helps in adjusting to the environment and building familiarity.

Why is reflection considered an essential step in overcoming culture shock?

Reflection allows individuals to step back and understand their experiences. It provides a broader perspective on how they are adjusting, helps challenge preconceived notions, and reveals that normalcy is not static but changeable.

How does the speaker suggest reflection should be done?

The speaker suggests using tools like journaling, blogging, or writing letters to friends and family to vividly describe experiences. This helps to digest and process the emotions and challenges of adapting to a new culture.