Expat Advice: Culture Shock in Tlaxcala, Mexico

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Share Your Experiences with Culture Shock

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Tlaxcala

If they speak another language in your new country, do you speak the language? If yes, did you learn the language before you moved or while abroad? If no, are you planning to learn the language?

I learned the language while living here.

Were you worried or concerned about culture shock before you moved abroad?

Not really.

How significant was the culture shock you experienced when you moved abroad?

I was already a seasoned traveler and have learned how to be flexible.

Expats often talk about going through the "stages of culture shock." Examples include the honeymoon phase, the irritation-to-anger stage, the rejection of the culture stage, and the cultural adjustment phase. Do you feel like you went through these or any other stages as you settled into the new culture?

Maybe a little bit, Or I've become jaded over the years.

What, if any, were some of the changes you noticed in yourself that might have been caused by culture shock? These might include things such as anger, depression, anxiety, increased eating or drinking, frustration, homesickness, etc.

Occasionally missed certain foods from back in the States but learned to adapt.

What are some things you appreciate most about the new culture?

People are a lot friendlier here.

What are the most challenging aspects of the new culture?

Learning the language & customs.

Did you "commit" any embarrassing or humorous cultural blunders? If you did and you'd like to share them, please do tell!

When I first started learning Spanish I asked the hostess of a party for a chicken breast instead of a chicken leg and instead I asked if I could be breast fed. Even now 30 years later she still remembers the incident.

Do you have any advice or thoughts about culture shock you would like to share?

Don't worry about mistakes, it's the best way to learn things. Just laugh & keep going forward.

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