10 Biggest Culture Shocks in America That Non Residents Experience

Culture shock is a term that describes the disorientation and feelings of anxiety, confusion, and uncertainty that individuals experience when they encounter unfamiliar cultural norms, values, and behaviours. For many people, moving to a new country can be an exciting adventure, but it can also be a challenging and overwhelming experience, especially when it comes to adapting to the cultural differences in a new society. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of culture shock in America, a country with a diverse range of cultures and subcultures. We will discuss the various stages of culture shock and offer tips and strategies for coping with and adapting to a new culture. Whether you are an international student, an expat, or a visitor to the United States, this blog post will provide you with valuable insights and practical advice to help you navigate the cultural complexities of life in America.

Tipping the serving staff

If you are an Asian, you should be aware that since there is typically a service charge included on restaurant bills, tipping your serving personnel may be viewed as superfluous or even impolite in some nations. In contrast, you could see a section on your bill in a U.S. restaurant listing suggesting tipping percentages and their monetary amounts, typically ranging from 15 to 22 per cent. This for sure comes as a culture shock in America, as in many countries, this practice is considered impolite. But, have a look at the restaurant's price range before you decide to eat there because you can even discover that your meal ends up being much more expensive than you had anticipated. Remember that tipping your hairdresser, nail technician, delivery person, and other service personnel is considered nice.

Tax is not included in the price

Consider entering the Columbia University Bookstore to make your first-ever college purchase. When you look at the tag on the perfect sweater, you see that it costs $49.95. You happen to have a $50 bill with you, which is ideal. The person at the cashier is waiting with the assumption that more money will be given over, so you head over to the counter to pay while proudly showing off your new school spirit apparel. Your total is more than you anticipated once you check at the register and see that a tax has been applied. Your budgeting plans may become a little jumbled due to this culture shock in America for the first few months, and it will undoubtedly take some getting used to.

Different public holidays and traditions

Many of the most beloved American public holidays are celebrated worldwide: Easter involves a huge bunny, Thanksgiving is marked by hand-carved turkeys, and, most importantly, Super Bowl Sunday is marked by everyone focusing on the half-time spectacle. Others have different dates in the United States than they do internationally; for example, whereas Labor Day is observed in most nations on or around May 1, it is observed in the United States on the first Monday in September. Yet, there are a few that you might not be familiar with, such as Presidents' Day and Groundhog Day. The list of American public holidays is provided here; however, remember that not every holiday will always coincide with a paid day off at Columbia.

The imperial system

If you've always used the metric system, get ready to search up a lot of conversions, including those from miles and Fahrenheit. You'll need it to start a conversation, but you won't be shocked if everyone measures lengths in inches or knows how much coffee is in an ounce. Nonetheless, when questions are formulated utilising the metric system, STEM majors will have an advantage over their peers.

The dining experience is rushed

Your main course will typically come after your appetiser unless you're in a fairly upscale restaurant. A waiter will frequently come over and inquire about how your lunch is going and whether they can fetch you anything extra. For people who are not used to having their talks interrupted in this way, this might be a culture shock in America, but it indicates that the waiter or waitress is trying to be helpful by asking about your requirements. Moreover, a server has been designated for your table, so try to place orders for all of your meals through them.

Sidewalks and pedestrian lights are rare outside of cities

Even while you might spend the majority of your time at school inside the Morningside Heights bubble, you'll almost probably occasionally travel outside the metropolis for a day excursion or during the lengthier academic breaks. Driving outside the city, you might be surprised by how few sidewalks there are. Even a brief train ride to Philadelphia will have you crossing streets using traffic lights rather than having a separate walk signal. Pedestrian traffic lights are also less widespread than you may think, and this culture shock in America is harder to take in for many Asians and Europeans. 

Microwave is the key 

You may regret every choice that brought you to this situation the first time you enter your kitchen and discover someone using your microwave to brew tea. Despite having a separate kettle, rice cooker, and Instant Pot, many people you know may microwave their ramen, lentils, or even rice. You may never give in to this habit yourself, but this culture shock in America is very common. 

Unlimited Internet for Everyone Everywhere

While other countries have trouble connecting to the internet, the USA has high-speed internet access everywhere. Students studying in USA can connect to unlimited Internet access anywhere, but notably on campuses. They can stream HD movies, sporting events, educational films, and other visual content. This can come as a culture shock in America for a lot of Asians, but this is for sure a good practice in America.  

Unique Metric System

Many overseas students are accustomed to measuring weight, length, volume, temperature, and other things in kilogrammes, metres, litres, and degrees Celsius. Nonetheless, they might face a culture shock in America if they use a distinct metric system. The standard measurement units are pounds, feet, and degrees Fahrenheit. Numerous overseas students find it challenging to understand this method at first.

Huge Gaps Between Every Class

In addition to having a convenient class schedule, students also benefit from extensive breaks. This gap was only in many conventional universities for 10 to 15 minutes. Nonetheless, there may only be one or two classes in the United States each day, with considerable time between them. Many Asian students face this culture shock in America because it goes against their culture.

Hopefully, this list has prepared you for what is to come, but you can always refer back if you come across something unknown. Remember that when you relocate to a new nation, some cultural shock is to be expected. Due to its quality and culture, the USA is one of the most popular countries to pursue higher education. Depending on their cultural background, many overseas students may experience a variety of culture shock in America. Nonetheless, Americans' friendliness and outgoing behaviour make it simple to blend in with their surroundings.