Culture Shock

I'm experiencing my first culture shock. I'm hoping this is the worst it gets, but it probably isn't. Yesterday was a great day of learning, walking, sunsets, and little kids. Last night, during my weakest jet-lagged moment, I committed my first cultural boo boo. While standing in the door way of the family room trying to figure out culturally how I might excuse myself so I could sleep, I was prompted to sit down. When the lady of the house moved to get me a chair I was told that culturally I must accept, which I did. Then I learned all the ins and outs of accepted acts of service. Since I was in their home than the correct response would be proficient apologies that I had inconvenienced her. If it wasn't in their house and she had made a move to get me something than I must insist on doing it myself. Lots to remember? Oh, I'm not done.


There's also the high context communication style to take into consideration. High context means that the atmosphere, style, and mode the message is given in is more important than the message itself. Because of this there is more reading between the lines in communication. Here's how I learned: while sitting with the family and friends in the tv room which has the traditional bamboo mat flooring, I began rocking back and forth on a small floor chair ( a chair with no legs on it). Out of the corner of my eye I see the lady of the house hop up and then all eyes turn to me. I must have done something wrong so I waited for a further clue as to what I should do next. In comes the lady of the house with a blanket saying something about me being tired and maybe needing one. Mike then explained what she really meant; that I shouldn't rock back and forth because it might damage the bamboo. How the two come together I have no idea! It might have been a look, a slight lilt in her voice, or just a constant awareness of what the other person might mean. 


Maybe someday I'll figure out what to look for to figure out what someone is actually saying. For right now it's thrown me deeper into culture shock. How do I know it's culture shock? Because I don't want to interact with anyone or leave my room for fear of offending unawares! This is the stage where I feel I must be totally on my guard, every set back is devastating, and running home sounds like a good alternative. It's intimidating to forget the past years of trying to not over analyze conversations and now to realize that that's how this culture works. Everything means something, sometimes completely different than you think it is. 


The mountains are still beautiful, the people are still so welcoming, but today I don't feel ready to be thrown into more new things and uncertainty. What do you do when you're love language is the thing affected by change? How do you adapt something like that?


The Lord did give me comfort after writing all this. After listening to some songs I had put together for other friends of mine going through tough times, I cried and tried to figure out how I'm suppose to do this alone. I have to say Shane and Shane not only takes me back to ICS trip times, but it also reminds me that I'm not here to navigate this culture perfectly. I'm here to learn, yes but more importantly I'm here to glorify God. When I start to focus on the how before the why I begin to become overwhelmed with the unkowns, mistakes, and general freaking out that can happen from navigating another culture. Focus on Jesus' face first and my relationship with Him. The next water walking step will come.