by 
- Xpat.John
- Posts：2424
- Emperor
A few weeks ago I returned to the US for the first time in over 5 years. And I have to admit that I am going through a bit of reverse culture shock.
The first thing that struck me was food portion sizes. In China, when I ordered a large pizza, I could normally finish it all without a problem. When I came back to the US, I ordered a medium pizza and it was huge! I was only able to finish a few slices before I felt full. Thankfully, I didn't order the large. :)
The other thing I realized is that Los Angeles traffic isn't too bad when you compare it to several years of driving in China. Suddenly, instead of feeling stressed while driving, I felt calm and at ease. Asshole drivers were the exception rather than the rule. And almost no one was driving on the sidewalks! How crazy is that?
Then there is the quiet. I forgot what it was like to live someplace with little to no noise at night. I couldn't sleep the first few nights. I had to turn on the TV just so I could hear something in the background.
When I was trying to get off an elevator, I was a bit stunned when people waited for me to get off the elevator before they got on. I had to reassure myself that I had showered that morning and it wasn't my body odor keeping them at bay.
I know this doesn't have much to do with China, but I needed to tell people who I think would understand. When I tell this to my family or friends here, I mostly get blank stares.
(And did I mention 15MB internet? No need for a VPN! And TONS of reality TV. Okay, the reality TV has turned my brain to mush, but OMG, is it addicting.)
Re: Reverse Culture Shock
I know exactly what you mean!
Personally the quiet didn't bother me at all!
The food portions are honestly scary though. You really have to wonder at how people manage to fit so much food in their stomachs. My family was a little worried when i went back home. They thought I was depressed or sick. I was eating half the portions I used to when I left.
When do you get back? Eager?
Re: Reverse Culture Shock
I had some "reverse culture shock," even though I went to Japan instead of going home. I was only there for 2 weeks, had culture shock upon returning to China. Even just going to a big city in China and seeing many expats is a bit of a shock. Maybe the culture shock when returning to China will surprise you.
Re: Reverse Culture Shock
Ammia,
The only thing I miss in China right now is my family. Asside from that, I really don't miss anything else that much. I am really enjoying the quiet and the lack of people everywhere.
Kitty Girl,
I am positive that I will experience culture shock when I return to China. This is going to be a long trip to the US. I will be here for several months, so I am sure my return to China will be overwhelming. I just hope that it doesn't put me into a bout of depression.
One of the things I missed most in the US was cooking for family and friends. In a couple of weeks I get to cook Easter dinner for a bunch of people and I can not wait. I have already been researching menu ideas and currently I am looking at an orange/honey glazed ham, lamb chops in a ginger/mint sauce, twice baked potatoes and asparagus tips in a light wine sauce. Not sure what I will do for starters or deserts yet, but just the ability to cook a decent meal with decent ingredients excites the hell of of me. I can't wait. :)
Re: Reverse Culture Shock
>Xpat.John wrote:
One of the things I missed most in the US was cooking for family and friends. In a couple of weeks I get to cook Easter dinner for a bunch of people and I can not wait. I have already been researching menu ideas and currently I am looking at an orange/honey glazed ham, lamb chops in a ginger/mint sauce, twice baked potatoes and asparagus tips in a light wine sauce. Not sure what I will do for starters or deserts yet, but just the ability to cook a decent meal with decent ingredients excites the hell of of me. I can't wait. :)
Wow, can I come to your house for holidays? The menu sounds amazing already. I'm not into cooking, but I do like to bake occasionally. I'll be making some snickerdoodles when I go home. My mom has an old fashioned cook book, so no shortening, just butter. haha