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I'm moving from the country side to the city, how can I cope up with the cultural shock I might get?

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Question added by Abeer AlSayed , Senior Media Relations Officer , Jordan River Foundation
Date Posted: 2016/02/21
Ahmed Khater
by Ahmed Khater , ID& Fit- Out Construction Manager , Harmony Atelier Interior Design& Decoration

I am just wondering why you people chocked and freak out of culture diversity, Just be yourself and accept others.  

Omar Saad Ibrahem Alhamadani
by Omar Saad Ibrahem Alhamadani , Snr. HR & Finance Officer , Sarri Zawetta Company

Thanks

Colleague Thabet cover the question and i agree with him

Yaqoub Alomar
by Yaqoub Alomar , Civil Engineer , Al-Zubeir municipality

Biggest difference: The pace. Everything in the city is fast. The work is intense and fast paced and so are the people. This can be both a good thing and a bad thing. I love this. I love that people are chasing the careers they want and are moving with purpose in everything they do.Good:  fast paced means high energy and the city is alive with it. Everybody is going somewhere to do something that they're likely good at .  This can be very motivating. 

Bad: fast paced means people can be a bit abrupt and there's not much respect for personal space when everyone's in a hurry.  

Nobody is going to fall all over themselves to apologize or explain why they cut you off on the sidewalk or pushed into you to get somewhere. It's nothing to get shoved and nearly assaulted (okay not that bad) on a crowded subway train during morning rush hour. Most of the time people are decent and there's a "we're in this together" vibe that is unspoken where elsewhere in the world a profuse apology would be the norm.

Vinod Jetley
by Vinod Jetley , Assistant General Manager , State Bank of India

Create a home away from home

The first thing you should after you've unpacked your last bag, is to settle into your new space. But don't just settle, cozify (okay, that's my made-up word for the day) your place with things that remind you of home - things that make you feel comforted. If you weren't able to bring things from home, go out into your new city and find some stuff that will make your new house (or apartment or studio or room) a home. Candles, blankets, picture frames - all are fairly inexpensive yet provide some necessary warmth. Curtains, pillows and area rugs always help warm up a room, too.

I always suggest hanging photos of home, friends and family in your space.  Not only will they remind you of all you love, but will help you feel secure when you're still trying to settle in.

If you're on a budget and don't want to spend too much, the best thing to do is to concentrate on the room where you spend most of your time.

If you love to cook, make the kitchen the priority. Purchase some cookware, nice plates and glasses so you can feel good cooking in your space. If you're a reader who spends a lot of time on the couch, then concentrate on creating that cozy space in the living room. Create one main area where you feel good and that alone will help make you feel more at home.

Spend Time in Your New Neighborhood

Get to know your neighbourhood by finding all the local spots - where you can buy groceries, get your hair cut, do your laundry - and spend some time doing what the locals do. Whenever I move to a new place, I spend a few mornings a week exploring the cafes and breakfast spots, taking a book or notebook with me. It's a great way to ask questions about your neighborhood and area. People are usually more than willing to share some great local secrets - like where to find the best coffee or the best take-out. Let people know you've just moved and they'll be more than happy to welcome you.

If you don't speak the local language, try. Take a translation book with you. It's amazing how far you can get with just a few words. Once, while working in a small town in Tuscany, I spent an entire evening with a group of locals I'd met at a restaurant. No one spoke English and I couldn't speak a word of Italian at the time, yet we had an incredible time.

If in doubt, try.

Be a Tourist

Even though you're now a resident, it's a good idea to strike out on your own and do the touristy things. Go sightseeing. Stroll the streets. Find out what it is about your city that makes it so special. And while you're taking photos and absorbing the local vibe, you'll also overhear what outsiders are saying about where you now live. There's nothing more thrilling (well, almost nothing) than when you move to a new city or country and hear outsiders describe it with awe and wonder - it makes you so very grateful to be where you are - a reminder that you're lucky to have this chance to be a local.

Join Clubs

To keep culture shock at bay you need to meet some locals and develop new friendships. There are a myriad of ways to do this depending on your interests. Finding local clubs and organizations can provide the perfect environment to get to know people who have a similar focus.  Whether it's a particular sport, hobby or cultural affiliation, most cities have local clubs or Meet-up groups that you can join.

Take a Class

Taking a course, either out of interest or to learn something new like the local language is a really easy way to meet new people. Again, like clubs, classes bring people together for a common interest. Plus, you'll meet people of varying ages and from different areas. If you take a language course, you'll also meet other foreigners who may or may not share your culture which is a great way to develop an international friendship.

Volunteer

Volunteering is another great way to get to know new people and develop strong relationships. I always recommend this approach for people who really want to get involved and feel part of their new community. Volunteer positions can be found fairly easily by searching for them online, checking out local ads or postings, or just by asking. Look for some neighbourhood organizations that are of interest and introduce yourself, letting them know what you can offer. 

If language is a barrier, start simple. Volunteer for a mail-out or by boxing canned goods for a local food bank. Depending on your native language, you may find the local community centre or school needs a language instructor. Teaching is one of the best ways to not only share your culture and language but also to learn the native language.  Students are always the best teachers.

Join an Expat Community

Last one my list is to suggest you join an expat community.  While this is often the first place a foreign worker or traveller turns to when culture shock sets in, it can promote a more isolationist environment where you find yourself with people who share a common language and culture, preventing you from becoming more integrated into the local scene. Of course, everyone will find comfort in different places and it you are really having a hard time adapting, seeking out people from home is not a bad thing at all - do whatever is best to help you through this difficult transition.

Expat communities can also help you maintain your culture, in particular, if you've made a permanent move and you want to ensure ties to home are maintained.

Remember, find those things that make you feel more at home in your new country and soon, before you know it, you'll be giving tourists directions and telling other travellers the best places to find take-out and good coffee.

Ahmed Mohamed Ayesh Sarkhi
by Ahmed Mohamed Ayesh Sarkhi , Shared Services Supervisor , Saudi Musheera Co. Ltd.

calm down and be ur self and don't be friendly with all 

 

Mohammed  Ashraf
by Mohammed Ashraf , Director of International Business , Saqr Al-Khayala Group

It is very good point which  Mr.Ahmed Khater is mentioned here, most of byat.com employees are always asking very silly questions, not going to the standard of professionals,. Now last two days many questions came pertaining to the same subject “ Culture “

My simple answer for this query is as Mr.Ahmed Khater,  try to accept others in line to improve your skills, confident and ideas in business and recruitment too as you are in job portal.

anasse bouhmidi
by anasse bouhmidi , agent de securitè , sochapron securitè service

it's not that hard i guess you're gonna use to just you need time

Emad Mohammed said abdalla
by Emad Mohammed said abdalla , ERP & IT Software, operation general manager . , AL DOHA Company

I fully agree with the answers been added by EXPERTS....THanks

مها شرف
by مها شرف , معلمة لغة عربية , وزارة التربية السورية

I agree with specialties answers. Thanks.

Thabet Almezwk
by Thabet Almezwk , QC/QA Engineer , Alfanar Electrical system

thanks for invitation

it will be no problem, we are speaking about same country, country side people is not from Mars

only when going to city, person shall take care more

Vikas Bachhuka
by Vikas Bachhuka , Sales Manager - Tire, Lubs & Batteries , ALI ALGHANIM & SONS AUTOMOTIVE CO.

It is quite obvious to get cultural shock as every country has different culture. But in such condition you should not panic, make friends from different culture for more understanding, do basic research before moving this will help in getting mentally prepared before you go to any country.

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