Culture shock is the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone when they are abruptly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes.
More like a momentary perplexity a person feels when experiencing new grounds for the first time. It is not a shameful state of mind but rather an observatory phase that shows how things work differently in other parts of the world from home. It could happen on arrival or after a long while. You never know when it hits you!!!
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Europe* |
Africa * |
Electricity
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You realize that electricity to charge gadgets is not on the list of your worries.
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When in most African Countries, not only do you have to wait up on electricity, handy power bank is synonymous to a smartphone. |
Night time. |
People dine early here. If you usually have my dinner late at night, you’ll be surprised to find most shops around 8pm closed. | Depending on the country, night life is common and diner time is never set to a standard, as traders could have stalks open till midnight in some parts. |
Public Transport |
Public transport is very efficient and punctual, drivers have stop watches inside the buses, and they have to reach each bus stops on dedicated time. | Public transport system in Africa are not organized as punctuality is sadly not a quality in Africans. |
Time keeping |
People here are extra time conscious/ punctual. | Not so time conscious, only a few meetings and institutes do keep up with time (airports and banks). |
Communications |
Here, people are more reserved, talking to strangers is seen as unnecessary and alien. | People start up conversations in public places, transport, as though they have meet before, it’s the way of the people. This factor may contribute to why Africans are one of the most hospitable people in the world. |
Display of Affection |
Public display of Affection is a norm as kissing on the street is but not pissing on the street | Pissing on the streets is sadly normal but not kissing on the street here. |
Housing
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Most houses on rent come with kitchen appliances, basic electronics and furniture, sometimes washing machines! | You get the space and that is all you get. |
Addressing people. |
Elderly persons you meet are not called ‘Aunty/Uncle’ but ‘Mr./Mrs./Miss last or just first name works.
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The relative high moral consciousness in Africa makes it a taboo to refer to older people with first name. |
Self Service |
From putting in gas to a vehicle by yourself, to assembling furniture and self-crafts. People here tend to buy into the DIY spirit. | People here have service attendants at gas stations, self service are not popular in this part of the world. Everything has someone responsible for it, no matter big or little or how do-able it may seem. |
Road movement |
Car horns are as good as useless in most European countries, not that vehicles don’t have them but will be violating the are rarely used. | The Statistics for road accidents are quite high in comparison with the rest of the world and at such, most rivers find it impossible to an entire day without having to their car horn. |
Health care |
Insurance is important and taken very seriously. | Only very recently that people and government realize the importance of health insurance and awareness is being created. |
*May vary in different locations