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Culture Shock
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Banana (---.hsd1.ma.comcast.net)
Date:   08-09-07 23:17

Here is an insightful article about the conditions of culture shock- (yes, it's real) For anyone thinking about making the leap, or have been thru it themselves. I thought of a lot of people in Culebra when I read it.

http://www.guardianabroad.co.uk/lifestyle/article/131

www.bizcochodefango.com
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Re: Culture Shock
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date:   08-10-07 06:54

Great article. While I don't think I've gone native, I have had more than a couple of close friends say they doubt seriously I'd ever be able to *make it* back in the States again (one calls it my "Oh my GOD" face when seeing how life is back in America - the stores, the cars, the sheer amount of everything, the flashing signs on bridges saying look out for suspicious people...should have said look out for suspicious bridges?)
On the other hand, I listen to visitors constantly in a state of shock here (and in the VI's where I lived before coming here)...dealing with how our time frames are quite...elastic...goods often not available...our perception of *normal*. A soothing "Welcome to Culebra" seems to help a bit...sometimes.
I think one of my own checkpoints on this is when I see a man with no shirt on, it is REALLY obvious to me as a big deal. And I grew up in Florida, where no shirt on guys was far more the norm. Now, it's almost like they are naked walking down the street...I've come to like that law a lot :)
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Re: Culture Shock
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.nyc.res.rr.com)
Date:   08-10-07 11:14

Someone, I am sure, has written a dissertation on this subject ...

What would interest me, is, where does my culture end and 'theirs' begin. To go by the example in the article, I never liked soccer, even though it was and is 'my' country's biggest sport - lol.

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael
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Re: Culture Shock
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: palmettoculebra (63.175.186.---)
Date:   08-10-07 17:04

here is some more reading on the subject!

http://www.mytropicalescape.com/2007/06/21/adjusting-to-life-overseas/

http://www.palmettoculebra.com/
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Re: Culture Shock
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Banana (---.hsd1.ma.comcast.net)
Date:   08-10-07 18:14

MJ- It's funny, that people up here don't often think about being somewhere else- so they have no idea what I'm talking about when I mention the excess of "things" here. I realized it's taken me almost a year to accept being here in the first place and just recently decide it's 'OK', even if I don't have to turn on the pump to take a shower or dodge Mango spiders to get to the kitchen... it's still got it's charms..;)

Palmetto- Cute article, *LOL* "You live here?? you must love it!" It's always fun meeting the 'honeymooners' who think everyday must be paradise!

Michael- Exactly! That whole Red Sox vs. Yankee thing, it just dosen't phase me. But 'culture' is defined by so many factors...

The difference between living on the main island and Culebra is huge, and reading some posts here- I can see some main islanders have had their own form of culture shock in Culebra. But the worst form, is trying to 'inflict' your culture on to another... when new people move in and try to change the rhythm of things, or change the infrastructure to suit their own needs.. that's when you start to have problems. Having the patience to learn from the new culture you are in is so important.

www.bizcochodefango.com
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Re: Culture Shock
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-10-07 19:17

Shoot man, I'm culture shocked every time my feet hit the ground in Atlanta. Too many people; too many lights; too many restaurants in such a short space to get to the airport train. Train's too fast; cars don't stop for pedestrians, and the shuttle bus veers around corners. All this just to get to the car from the plane - the quiet of the car seems like a small slice of paradise after arriving here from Culebra. Then I have trouble with traffic - it's difficult to drive 70 mph when you're used to driving 15; people honk at me because I'm too nice. It only takes me a couple of days to get back into it, but what keeps me going is the always upcoming trip back to Culebra. Sigh. . .

Happy Diving!
Debbie
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Re: Culture Shock
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: palmettoculebra (63.175.186.---)
Date:   08-10-07 20:59

hey Debbie, that's what they call "reverse" culture shock! just as "shocking!"

http://www.palmettoculebra.com/
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Re: Culture Shock
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.nyc.res.rr.com)
Date:   08-11-07 07:08

I think the challenge is a. to find one's own culture, and b. to respect others' - no matter where you are. I personally love the extremes. Even though Culebra is definitely on one side of the spectrum, it could be waaay more extreme. I think a lot of people forget that - see Spanish post ;)

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael
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Re: Culture Shock
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date:   08-11-07 07:51

Banana, I wanted to ask how it was going for you, thanks for the update (all the jewelry I got from you is sold, by the way, thanks!)! Mango spiders...shudder.
I'll be in the states and Canada during most of September. I already am looking forward to leaving San Juan to come home, though I know it will be a good break.
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Re: Culture Shock
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Banana (---.hsd1.ma.comcast.net)
Date:   08-13-07 10:39

"Culture refers to the relatively specialized lifestyle of a group of people, consisting of their values, beliefs, artifacts, ways of behaving and ways of communicating, that is passed on from one generation to the next through communication rather than through genes.

And those generations may be within the new culture, like the WW2 Marines, the Vietnam-era Marines and the Iraq-era Marines just as much as grandparents of Kurds, Danes, Italians, Bolivians, Hell's Angels, Malayans, Sikhs, Thais, etc.

Leaving New Jersey and qualifying to be in the 82nd Airborne Division is joining a new culture. If you knew nothing about paratroopers, you would have a difficult task in understanding them...but they fit the definition above for a culture." states Dr. Faulkner

www.bizcochodefango.com
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Re: Culture Shock
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: ginayac (---.hsd1.nj.comcast.net)
Date:   08-17-07 08:58

Debbie,

I totally agree with you. There is not one day I don't think about moving to Culebra. I never agreed with how rude America is and how fast people need things. I would move in a heartbeat and begin to live my life the way I want in Culebra if I had the chance, but for now my chances are looking like if I get divorced or retire with my husband. (hahaha hopefully it will be the latter of the two).

Gina
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Re: Culture Shock
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Abel (---.cable.mindspring.com)
Date:   08-17-07 10:25

Hi everyone,

Interesting topic indeed! I'm from NYC and recently returned from 10 days in Culebra. I don't know if I would label it "culture shock" but it has taking me 2 and a half weeks to adapt to my life at home. The entire time I was daydreaming and scheming on how to go back to Culebra for an extended period of time. I simply fell in love with the place.
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Re: Culture Shock
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Doug (---.aurorasys.com)
Date:   08-20-07 10:59

Abel,

That is what is known as DIF or dreaded island fever. There is no cure. You can only treat the symptoms by hanging out at Culebra travel boards and drinking copious quantities of rum or Presidentes. Sorry, my friend.

Doug
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Re: Culture Shock
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Abel (---.cable.mindspring.com)
Date:   08-20-07 12:32

Doug,

Thanks for the sympathy, but I'm determined to return for a longer stay.

Abel
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Re: Culture Shock
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Banana (---.hsd1.ma.comcast.net)
Date:   08-29-07 15:00

.... and the Presidente here is not as tasty.... it goes thru Virginia, I don't know what they do to it, honestly maybe it's the lack of canal stank that makes it less satisfying. DIF. Truly dreaded.

www.bizcochodefango.com
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