Culture Shock

by Nur 'Amirah Amran

What do we know about culture shock? Is it something you should be afraid of or learn in your life? How about the journey you make when you visit another country? Can you survive with the culture that will turn your life upside down? Everything will be revealed below here. Let the journey begin.

When we talk about culture shock, some people might think this could be one of the biggest jokes in their life because not everything they want would be available in certain countries. Most of the people that were afraid in the first stage, end up learning so many good things about culture shock. The most important thing to remember when you leave home is to be open to new experiences. Sometimes, it can really open your eyes, your mind and your heart about the beautiful journeys in different cultures. When you learn about it, it will create a love deep inside your heart and you will miss the moments you experienced in the country you visited. Trust me, it’s all about acceptance. There are a lot of good things that can come from culture shock such as helping you improve your self-efficacy and increase your self-motivation.

So, what is culture shock? Culture shock is the trauma you experience when you move into a culture different from your home culture. It is also the personal disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life due to immigration or a visit to a new country, a move between social environments, or simply transition to another type of life. How does the culture shock work in Malaysia? 

Culture shock in Malaysia is probably not going to be an extraordinary component in the underlying settling down process. The nation offers a scope of current comforts, with an exceptionally multicultural society and nearby populace that is for the most part, neighborly and inviting to newcomers.

All things considered, there will be parts of one's new life that may take some getting used to. Maybe the greatest part of another life in Malaysia is religion. The vast majority of the populace is Muslim and holds fast to preservationist Islamic traditions. Another significant component of culture shock that expats may need to fight with is getting used to the hot and damp central atmosphere.

If you are planning to visit Malaysia, these are the great tips to learn about the culture shock in this country. However, you may require a little extra adjustment with Malaysian life and culture.

Malaysia has a various scope of migrants and ethnic populaces, and the vast majority are accustomed to managing those from altogether different social foundations. The three principle ethnic groupings in Malaysia are Malay, Chinese and Indian and, alongside numerous indigenous ethnic gatherings, they mix to shape a remarkable mixture of societies, cooking styles and conventions.

Symptoms Of Culture Shock

Learning the symptoms and knowing ahead of time of how to prepare yourself and how to deal with Malaysian culture shock can make it a lot easier to overcome. The symptoms of cultural shock can appear at different times and show in different ways. Below are some of the symptoms you should look out for:

1. A sleeping disorder, or a yearning to rest excessively or too little.
2. Changes in your disposition, getting furious effortlessly at things that as a rule wouldn't trouble you, gloomy, feeling defenseless, feeling feeble.
3. You have a distraction with your well-being.
4. Outrage, crabbiness, disdain, and an unwillingness to cooperate with other individuals.
5. A sentiment trouble or depression.
6. A sentiment being lost, neglected, misused or mishandled.
7. Distinguishing just with your own particular culture and contrasting Malaysia contrarily with your own nation.
8. You want to be home and have a solid aching for your family and companion back in your nation.
9. You are making a decent attempt to retain everything in the new about the way of life in Malaysia.
10. Being hesitant to do new things or go to new places.

Stages and Examples of Culture Shock

Culture shock has many stages. Every one of these stages can be progressing or just show up at specific circumstances. We have recorded the 5 phases of culture shock underneath. For foreigners who are remaining a shorter time-frame in Malaysia, you may simply encounter the initial 2 to 3 phases of culture shock.

Stage 1 (the honeymoon stage)

In this first stage, you may feel exhilarated and pleased by all of the new things encountered. The new things you encounter in Malaysia are new and exciting at first, everything is wonderful. Even the most simple things are new and interesting, taking the bus or going to a restaurant. This exhilarating feeling will probably at some point change to the next phase.

Stage 2 (the disillusionment stage)

Culture shock will happen gradually, you may encounter some difficulties or simple differences in your daily routine. For example, communication problems such as not being understood, food, attitude, and customs, these things may start to irritate you. Everything you’re experiencing no longer feels new; in fact, it’s starting to get you down. You feel confused, isolated or inadequate and realize that your familiar support systems (e.g. family and friends) are not easily accessible.

Stage 3 (the understanding stage - enlightenment)

The third stage is portrayed by increasing some comprehension of Malaysia's way of life, nation, and its kin. You will get another sentiment joy and comical inclination might be experienced. You should begin to feel to a greater degree a specific mental adjust. Amid this stage, you won't feel as lost and ought to have a sentiment heading. Now you are more comfortable with nature and have to a greater degree a sentiment needing to have a place.

Stage 4 (the integration stage)

The fourth phase of culture shock is the joining stage and is typically experienced on the off chance that you are remaining for a drawn out stretch of time in Malaysia. You will likely understand that Malaysia has great and awful things to offer you. This coordination is period is portrayed by a solid sentiment having a place. You will begin to characterize yourself and start building up objectives.

Stage 5 (the re-entry stage)

The last phase of culture shock happens when you come back to your nation of origin. This phase of culture stun for the most part just impacts individuals who have been in Malaysia for a drawn out stretch of time (however many feel it in the wake of having lived abroad for just as meager as 6 months). You may find that things are not anymore the same in your nation of origin. For instance, some of your recently gained traditions are not being used in your own particular nation. Your companions have changed and your family may have also. You may feel like you don't fit in back home.

These stages are present at different times and you will have your own way of reacting in each stage. As a result of some, you may find some stages can be longer and more difficult than others. There are many factors contribute to the duration and effects of culture shock. For example, your state of mental health, personality, previous experiences, socio-economic conditions, familiarity with the language, family, and level of education.

COPING WITH CULTURE SHOCK IN MALAYSIA

The first perception that comes to the mind of foreigners when they visit Malaysia is whether they can deal with the Malaysian atmosphere. This is because there are many new rules that might be difficult for a casual tourist to understand. Other than that, it’s really hard to approach people because of the language barrier. Below are several things that you will have to deal with in Malaysia:

Climate/Weather

Malaysia is known for its tropical season, all year round southwest between April to October and in the northeast, between October to February, is the monsoon season. Before coming to Malaysia, make sure you check the meteorological report beforehand to ensure your plans aren’t ruined by occasional rainy weather. The tropical atmosphere, which means warmth and dampness consistently, makes living and working here somewhat of a test. In case you're utilized to an open airway of life at home, you may find that in Malaysia, individuals invest more energy inside cooled workplaces and homes. It is fitting to enable your body to continuously acclimate to the climate. Unfortunately, lately this year 2017, the weather seems to be uncontrollable because the monsoon season was supposed until February but it has so far continued to rain until now (at the time of writing, in June).

Public Transportation

Even though, we have what should be reliable forms of transportation here with a comprehensive bus network and modern railways. Do not be surprised with how it works here. Let’s say, you plan to ride a taxi, however, beware of taxi drivers who will not allow you to pay according to their meter, which is mandatory by law. There are even taxis that don’t have the basic necessities such as seat belts. It is also quite common for the taxi drivers to overcharge their passengers. It is the best to try to ride UberX and GrabCar. Both of them have advantages and disadvantages. Let's say, you want to go to any locations located around 5km, choose GrabCar because of the affordable price at RM8 as compared to Uber about RM8.20 and taxis RM10.20. For long distances usually around 20km, Uber is more cost efficient. It would cost around RM22.70 as compared to Grab at RM28.90. GrabCar also has GrabShare which means you can only bring one friend to ride with you and enjoy 30% discount meanwhile Uber offers a free ride when you refer a friend to try Uber. 

Saving Face

Saving face is one of the traditional Malaysian cultural assumptions. Malaysian are more collectivism than individualism. This can be seen through how they handle the situations with someone else. Malaysians strive to maintain face and avoid shame in all circumstances. It embraces qualities such as a good name, good character and being held in esteem by one’s peers. The face can be considered as a commodity - can be given, lost, taken away, or earned. It extends to the community, place of work and even the nation itself. The desire to maintain face makes Malaysians strive for friendly and harmonious relationships. The face can be spared by staying cool and gracious; examining issues maturely and professionally alongside trustworthiness, honesty, and earnestness. The face can be lost by straightforwardly censuring, annoying or testing somebody in specialist openly; demonstrating outrage at someone else; not keeping a guarantee or contradicting somebody freely. This usually happens when one party prevaricates or deviates from the truth. 

Religion

Malaysia is a multicultural and multiconfessional nation, whose official religion is Islam. As of the 2010 Population and Housing Census, 61.3 percent of the populace practices Islam; 19.8 percent Buddhism; 9.2 percent Christianity; 6.3 percent Hinduism; and 1.3 percent customary Chinese religions. The rest of represented by different beliefs, including Animism, Folk religion, Sikhism and other belief systems. Numbers of self-described atheists in Malaysia are few; the state has come under criticism from human rights organizations for its discrimination against atheists. For example, it was a Muslim routine to called for the prayer at the dawn around 5.40 am every morning and the called of the prayer will continue on 1.00pm, 4.30pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm. In some places, it would be better to avoid wearing eye-catching clothes and also the local are really appreciates if their sensitivities are respected to some extent.

Language Barrier

The official language of Malaysia is known as Bahasa Malaysia. It is a standardized form of the Malay language. Malaysian English, also known as Malaysian Standard English (MySE), is a form of English derived from British English, although there is little official use of the term except with relation to education. English used with heavy Malay, Chinese, and Tamil influences. Most Malaysians are conversant in English. English is widely understood in service industries and is a compulsory subject in primary and secondary school. It is also the main language spoken at most private colleges and universities. English may take precedence over Malay in certain official contexts as provided for by the National Language Act, especially in the states of Sabah and Sarawak, where it may be the official working language. Even though we can speak and write in English sometimes we Malaysian having difficulties in replying back to the question because of the foreigner's strong accent but they try their best to give the answers by using a body language or write in the paper.

Meeting and Greeting

Greetings in a social context will depend upon the ethnicity of the person you are meeting. In general, most Malays are aware of Western ways so the handshake is normal. There may be slight differences though and a few things to bear in mind include Malay women may not shake hands with men. Women, of course, can shake hands with women. Men may also not shake hands with women and may bow instead while placing their hand on their heart. The Chinese handshake is light and may be rather prolonged. Men and women may shake hands, although the woman must extend her hand first. Many older Chinese lower their eyes during the greeting as a sign of respect. Indians shake hands with members of the same sex. When being introduced to someone of the opposite sex, nodding the head and smiling is usually sufficient.

                                                                                       

Cuisine

Muslims are not allowed to consume alcoholic beverages or any dish with pork in it, so don’t insist on buying an alcoholic drink for a Muslim Malaysian. Muslims only consume food that is prepared the Halal way, which means permissible by Islamic law hence why they look for restaurants that are certified Halal, or for food items that were prepared in this manner. Hindus, on the other hand, do not eat beef as they consider the cow to be a sacred animal. One of best things to try is, trying representative cuisine from the Malay, Indian and Chinese cultures. With Indian food, you can try roti canai or chapati with Indian curry. If you go to any Indian stalls, you should try to eat rice and curry on banana leaves. Chinese food basically includes kuey teow, dim sum and also Hainanese Chicken Rice. Malay food that you can try is Nasi Lemak. Malaysians typically eat Nasi Lemak for breakfast. Don’t forget to also try Asam Pedas, Satay, Nasi Kerabu if opportunities come up.