Post #4

Over the past couple of weeks in Sociology we learned about Cultural shock, Gestures, Taboos, Norms, Values and how they can each effect the way we see the world around us.We also learned that each culture outside the US consists of different values and traditions which can make it hard for us to adapt. Cultural Shock can be best described as not being aware of the different traditions when you enter a unfamiliar area. For example in the movie "God Grew tired of us", the Lost Boys of Sudan experience a life they are unfamiliar with because to them tradition is different back home then when they arrive in America. Back at home they were living in the dirt poor area with nothing but little food and water to live with. Once they arrived with America, they soon began to realize how much more opportunity they have to make a living and pay for their own stuff. Also, on the airplane to America, the Lost boys were shocked the whole ride on the plane because in Sudan they don't get the same opportunity in the camps. Gestures varied world wide and can be misinterpreted very easily which can be a difficult situation to be in. One gesture can be carried on to another culture and mean something completely different for example, Japanese people tend to put their hand on their head which means they are embarrassed at something and to us it means that person is thinking something through. Taboos are things accepted but are not talked about for example, if my parent were to ask me if I'm going out so they could have some time to themselves. Although we know what they would do, it's not usually a good thing to be open about in a social environment therefore we call it "Taboo." After living in America for 14 years, visiting Albania again changes my perspective of life because the traditions are completely different therefore it takes some getting used to. In Albania it's socially acceptable to smoke at a younger age compared to America where it's illegal until your 18. As soon as you enter another country, rules change, norms become different, which takes some understanding to adapt to the change in an appropriate manner.