Cultural Dependence and Culture Shock

Dependence on Cultural Environment

  • Ralph Linton's Insight:
    • Fish and water analogy illustrates unawareness of our cultural environment.
    • Just like fish do not notice water, humans often overlook their cultural dependencies.
    • Cultural aspects (attitudes, beliefs, language, behaviors) often taken for granted.

Culture Shock

  • Definition:
    • Personal disorientation experienced when entering an unfamiliar social world.
    • Occurs when one is unfamiliar with the new culture's rules and norms.
    • Common experience when traveling or relocating to a new cultural setting.
  • Example:
    • Sundar Victor, a graduate student from India, experiences culture shock in the United States.

Sundar Victor's Experiences

  • Speed of Life:

    • Observes that life in the U.S. feels fast-paced compared to India.
    • Commuting differences: In India, people primarily use buses/trains; in the U.S., personal cars dominate.
    • Economic factors in India limit air travel and luxury transportation options.

  • Cultural Differences in Entertainment:

    • India has disco clubs for dancing, but strip clubs are illegal.
    • Playboy magazine is banned in India, contrasting with its acceptance in the U.S.

  • Cultural Perspectives on Weddings:

    • In India, there is emphasis on choosing auspicious days and times for weddings.
    • Astrological considerations (positions of stars/sun) influence wedding dates.
    • Example: Saturdays deemed inauspicious for weddings; Fridays considered favorable.
    • Sundar notes that Americans do not consider these astrological aspects in wedding planning, reflecting a significant cultural difference in attitudes toward marriage.