Lucas and I representing our true Wisconsin cheesehead pride!
My last post got a little ranty, and I apologize for that. I was feeling kind of like an outsider in what I thought I knew, which people go through from time to time, even in their own country. It is called culture shock.
What I did not expect is that people can also re-go through culture shock when they return to their home country.
I recently returned to the U.S. after having been abroad for a while. There was a wedding my boyfriend and I went to, and it was also an excuse to quickly see family and friends.
I thought it would be wonderful to be back, and it was, but there were also things I missed. I remember going to the gym and being surprised that people would talk to me in English. It was like I had to sit there and decipher which language I had to use to answer them. That is nice, because it makes me feel like I am actually learning another language than my mother tongue.
Aside from the language, I found myself missing the economic sense of the Germans. At stores in the U.S., we would buy a few items, and the clerks would ask if we wanted paper or plastic bags. In Germany, you bag the items yourself, in your own bags, and if you want to buy bags, you must purchase them yourself at the time of check out. I find it a little inefficient that I have to keep reminding the cashier that I do not need a bag for my candy bar, that I can carry it out just fine.
Furthermore, in Germany you can recycle any plastic, metal, or paper product, as far as I know. It is so different to come back and find that only certain plastics can be recycled. How annoying! Plastic is plastic! Can we not just recycle it all? I am sure there is a more educated opinion about this or more scientific reasoning, and I really would like to know why we cannot recycle all recyclable items.
A third thing I find myself missing is the peace and quiet at restaurants. In Germany, the waiters or waitresses take your order, and then serve your food. They do not come back and check to see how your food was, and you have to ask them when you want to pay. Coming back to the U.S., I find it overwhelming for the waitstaff to come check on me a few times. It makes me feel like I am inconveniencing them and need to hurry up and get out as quick as possible, or that the waitstaff won‘t let me enjoy my meal in peace. In Germany, the culture is more to sit and relax . People typically spend 1-3 hours at a restaurant. They also leave you in peace and feel that you do not need anything if you do not ask them for it. This made it hard to get used to the American way, again.
Outside of missing things from Germany, I also found I appreciated things from the U.S. In the U.S., I feel as though Americans understand quirkiness and use the opportunity to express themselves. For example, my boyfriend and I bought cheeseheads (for any non-Wisconsinite or Non-Packer fan, this is a large foam cheese wedge that you wear on your head). I walked around the mall with this on and got some fun comments from two older ladies, and that was about it. No one really cared, or they thought it was funny. In Europe, I feel like the general trend is to fit in and not stand out. I like that I can come to America and do what I want and I do not feel like an outsider for doing something a little different. I like that I have the ability to express my individuality here. This is something that I like about the U.S.
The bottom line is that I realize when I am in Germany, there are things I miss about the U.S. When I am in the U.S., there are things I miss about Germany. The coolest thing is to be a person of both cultures and adopt the best from both, because this makes you a better you. Who knows? You might start a bigger change by bringing new attitudes and cultural influences to a whole different country.
It is important to be aware of culture shock and realize that it can affect you in the host country but also once you return to your home country.
I am now back and ready to go back with a more positive outlook on life! Hi-ya!
“THE PURPOSE OF LIFE IS TO LIVE IT, TO TASTE IT, TO EXPERIENCE TO THE UTMOST, TO REACH OUT EAGERLY AND WITHOUT FEAR FOR NEWER AND RICHER EXPERIENCE.” – ELEANOR ROOSEVELT