May 30, 2008

  • Reverse Culture Shock

    Hello, dear friends! I’ve been busy unpacking, but I do think of you while I do it and wonder how you and yours are getting along.  One of these days, I’ll sit for hours and read your blogs and comment. But for now, it will just have to be a hit and miss comment time.

    The suitcases are all unpacked and stored in the basement. For the most part, the house is under control. What is taking a lot of time is the fact that we decided to purge the closets and put away all the winter clothes and get out the summer ones before (or while) we were unpacking.  What’s more mess, eh?  Now with seven large trash bags for give away, things feel pretty good.

    We don’t seem to have any jet lag. Yeah! I just wake at a reasonable time in the morning and feel tired around 10:00 like normal people do.

    Some people have asked me if I’ve had reverse culture shock. Here’s what I’ve had so far:

    • The toilets are lower here in the USA. I’ve had some disconcerting moments while I’ve tried to sit down.
    • My washer and dryer seem mammoth. I think I could park an SUV in them.
    • Food and such has gone up so much in price! I went to the store today–good ol’ Wal-Mart–and was shocked! I kept reading on CNN that prices had gone up, but now I’ve experienced it first hand. Yikes. Double yikes.

    What’s shocked you lately?

Comments (30)

  • Yay, for having SEVEN bags to go! Trying not to laugh about your lower toilet bowl issues…okay, yes, I did laugh. * snort * Be careful! lol! I can’t think of anything that has shocked me lately…

  • yes, we have the high rise toliets and now I can’t go back to regular

  • The massive amounts of clothes that we have in this house – that’s what has shocked me!   And although it has not been shocking, I have been **very pleasantly surprised** with how helpful our children have been with the unpacking, clothes purging, etc.  Good on them! 

  • Too funny about the toilets! I never noticed that.

    I just love doing laundry after I get home from Scotland! It is wonderful to fit all of one load in the washer at a time.

    What has shocked me lately? Totally depressing news stories. And gas prices!

    And chocolate cravings–maybe a magnesium deficiency. Seems I read that recently. Wonder how that ties in with migraines (or not). I only ate one handful of M & M’s today–maybe it is getting better.

  • We definitely do the big here in the US. When I went to the UK I was amazed at how small everything was, including the cars… tiny!

  • Nothing has totally shocked me lately….except that I heard the Chris Daughtry was singing on Third Days Cd. That was a mild shock. Nothing like feeling like your falling to the floor trying to sit on a potty….or as shocking as the price of milk at Walmart. (LOL)

  • I think reverse culture shock can be real. It’s not hard, but it’s there. When we go overseas, we work hard to be diplomatic and to adjust and be appropriate in the other culture. So when we come home to the USA, we think it’s going to be natural and no effort. However, it’s actually effort to undo the work we did adjusting to the other culture. It’s fun to see what you revert to when you’re really tired. I’ve been in the States for a year and a half now, and I still walk to the wrong side of the car late at night or when I’m preoccupied! I still put my travel mugs in my left hand when I drive. But I no longer bow when I meet up with people.  We’re near the Mexican border nowadays, and I actually answered a border control checkpoint guard in Japanese once. He’d asked if I was an American citizen, and I said, “Hai…” My husband still makes fun of me for that one.  Anywho….happy transitioning!

  • Here’s a ‘welcome home’ cupcake! What an amazing trip you had, and now you can get settled back into your very own nest. Enjoy your weekend!

  • John and GG had been playing some role game I think they call it mommy and daddy.  John was describing it at the dinner table saying he was allergic to something and that GG was allergic to ice chips.  It was so random and unexpected it made me laugh.  I seem to have those deep chuckles so rarely anymore it sort of shocked me in a way.  I need more shock therapy.

  • I’d say the price of gas is the most shocking right now. I’ve kinda gotten used to seeing $3.8- and $3.9- (so far we haven’t crossed the psychological border of $4.00… it just jumps up to $3.99), but we calculated how much we’d have to spend in gas to go see my family in Illinois and I about fell over. I’m sure gas here seems cheap compared to England!

  • The toilets–that’s funny.  The prices–not funny.    Welcome home. 

    And congrats on the purging–7 trash bags is quite admirable!

  • welcome home!! happy re-adjusting to our culture…..

  • Must be great to finally be at home! Food in England is cheaper than in the USA?

    A call has shocked me lately.

  • Oh you’re back home !!! I’m sorry I didn’t know, like you I was pretty busy and didn’t have the time to go on xanga… so are you happy to be back in the USA ??? :o )

    You know French prices are expensive too, it’s above all amazing for gasoline prices and some people here are even doing stirkes to demonstrate against that…

    Hope you’re ok, have a nice day Mary. :o )

  • Jet lag is always easier coming west than going east. We visit my relatives in The Netherlands and it’s always soooo hard going there, but coming home we never have jet-lag. Interesting. Glad you made it safe. :)

  • Welcome back!!  I’m a little jealous that you are back in State College and we’re still not…but I’m still happy for you guys to be home! 

    I was recently shocked at the cost of a full tank of gas.  Oh well.

  • I am sorry you are home because that means no more English pictures! hahaha       

    I am glad that you came home safely and are settling back in. 

    We just got back from a 10 day traveling spree and here is my shock:  We left home (Oklahoma) while it was still dark in the morning and it was in the 70′s. Our 4th morning of travel we woke up to 4 inches of snow and stayed very chilly until we were almost home.  It will be in the 90′s all week.  I am ready to go back to Wyoming!

  • What’s shocked me recently? Realizing how long I’ve been away from Xanga. And getting more scholorship money.

  • Welcome home! I’m glad that you and your family had a safe return. I want to thank you for taking the time to share the gorgeous photos with us from England. I loved reading your adventures and seeing the wonderful snap shots. You had me checking your blog daily ;)

    The most shocking thing for me now is the price at the gas station! It’s disgusting what it costs!

  • Has food really gone up in price? Egads, and here I was hoping that it would still be half of what we are paying here~
    Jim and I went Nando’s today for lunch. Thanks for the free 1/2 chicken! We talked about going over to Lloyd’s and having a chicken caesar salas in honor of James, but, another time. We miss you all~

    Lisa

  • Welcome home! I remember culture shock. Both in coming back from Germany and more recently in coming back from Maui. I’m sure it’s better to be home though, regardless of the culture shock!

    What’s shocked me lately – that I finally got an interview!

  • hi!  welcome home!  :)

  • WELCOME HOME!  I always hate unpacking after a trip– no matter how short or long it may be.  I don’t know why, but I guess my most shocking moments anymore are at the gas station.  I KNOW gas is over $4, but it’s still a shock when I fill up the stationwagon.  And yes, everything is going up.  Isn’t it “cute” how WalMart puts out those little tags for items “on sale” when they’re really about to mark the price up.  (sigh)

  • How fun that you’re back!! I’m so sorry I didn’t get to see you when I was in Cambridge… you kept scuttling off to more interesting places to holiday, I guess. :) Anyway, I’m so glad that you made it back safely and I look forward to hearing more about your adjustment back!

  • Hey friend,

    Have fun at the prom tonight! I can’t wait to see your dress and your handsome date! Take lots of pictures and email us~

    The Harris’s are coming to the Tyndale House BBQ tonight, we will MISS YOU!!

    lisa

  • Welcome back!!!!! =)

  • WELCOME HOME!  (better late than never, eh!)  Isn’t it WONDERFUL to sleep in your own bed!  Whew! Seems like you’ve been gone forever and only a few weeks at the same time! So glad you’re home.  So glad you had a fun trip.  So glad you got to make all those fabulous memories with your family!  That’s the best part!

    We’ve been doing a little adjusting, here, too.  We went to Dallas for the funeral, &, then, had B.’s parents come for several days right after getting home.  Plus, one of the girls picked up a “bug” while B. & I were in Dallas & it’s been running through the family, now.  AND, we have a wedding on Sunday, so we HAVE to be better by then!!

    Talk to ya later!  Hope you’re doing well!

  • Hmmm, except for gas prices, I hadn’t realize prices were up so noticably.  Interesting.  Tell us more about how we’re different here in the good old USA.

  • You must REALLY be in shock.  Come out, come out wherever you are!!!! :)

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