Residual culture shock
It's been almost 6 weeks since I've been back in the US now. The most common question I'm asked by people when I first see them is "Are you experiencing culture shock?" The short answer - and those that know me know I don't usually give short answers - is "Yes, but not as much as I imagined I would." From my perspective there haven't been any Encino Man or Trading Places scenes.
I thought I had adjusted completely, but in the past week I've noticed a couple lingering differences between me and those around me:
- It is not acceptable for me to put my hand on the upper thigh of a heterosexual male friend while seated, even if non-sexual in nature.
- An emptied bottle of alcohol does not need to be thrown underneath the table.
- Kicking someone's foot on accident does not require a follow-up handshake. In fact it's probably a bad idea.
Oh, and we brought a coconut home on Tuesday night. I didn't know how to open it. Even though that had nothing to do with Mongolia, it made me feel like I was not from here. I looked up opening instructions on the Internet. The online advice didn't help much. Eventually, and I do mean eventually, the power drill and auto body hammer with radiator-as-anvil did the trick.
Just saw the latest xkcd hover-text and thought of you. [Note: Firefox users- make sure you can read long titles!]
Posted by:k | 25 February 2008 at 02:55 PM
Everyone loves a common enemy! **** coconuts!
Posted by:Jaspal | 25 February 2008 at 11:19 PM
Hey Jaspal
That's too funny. I totally experienced that after 2 years in Choibalsan! HA!
Posted by:Annie | 26 February 2008 at 10:48 AM
I'm hoping awareness is the first step...
Posted by:Jaspal | 27 February 2008 at 04:24 AM
"I'm not from here..." good one!
The thing that took most time for me to get rid of (although it's still there-even tonight at dinner) is the feet-touching hand-shaking business. Funny! I still react to that and it's only my reason keeping me from confusing innocent people...Good ice breaker though!
Posted by:Andrei | 29 February 2008 at 04:26 AM
hey jaspal... im entering the independent competition http://www.independent.co.uk/student/the-independentbosch-technology-horizons-award-395604.html and while i was reseaching for it i came across an article about you http://business2-cnet.com.com/Engineering+change+Of+PDAs+and+maternal+medicine+in+Mongolia+-+page+2/2009-1041_3-6172569.html and with your written permission i would like to write an article about you and your work and i shall be using your blogs if that is okay with you. if you would like i shall let you have a preview of the article before i submit it, i look forward to hearing from you - specsygara@hotmail.com
Posted by:Just_Browsing | 03 March 2008 at 02:33 AM
Andrei - this is proof you should have brought the camels back to Norway.
Just_Browsing, I'll send you an email now.
Posted by:Jaspal | 03 March 2008 at 11:27 PM
Sorry I'm late to the party here, but I've opened plenty of coconuts in my time so I could share some tips that might be helpful for the next time. Was the coconut good after you eventually got it open?
Posted by:bhuv | 12 March 2008 at 10:51 PM
It was ok, but I gotta say it really wasn't worth all that trouble.
Posted by:Jaspal | 13 March 2008 at 05:24 AM
Hey, touching upper thigh is still unacceptable in Mongolia!
As a Mongolian student in Europe, I tend to reach out my hand for a handshake automatically after kicking sb's foot, lol!
I like this post. Ideal length, easy to read and exemplary style for me.
btw, I listen to Berkeley podcast now and then. And I found most of your colleagues (perhaps even you)crazy!
Posted by:Natso | 04 April 2008 at 06:04 PM
No, no we're not all crazy!
Posted by:Jaspal | 15 April 2008 at 10:30 PM