Tag: Cultures
The First Few Months (5)
In the first two weeks of our stay in Japan, my husband and I went on a “company outing” to a Japanese onsen (outdoor natural hot spring bath in a mountain setting). I came equipped with my one-piece swimsuit and full-length beach towel. I soon realized that swimsuits were not worn, and the towels used are roughly the size of a hand towel. Although the men and women had separate facilities, I was shocked and embarrassed at first, especially being the only Western woman. I soon discovered that the whole experience was extremely discreet, very comfortable, and relaxing. Japanese hot
The First Few Months (4)
I went to Singapore as a size 14–16—not an Asian size at all. Sometimes I would walk into the local Singapore dress designer shops and look at their selection. The sales staff was very quick to point out, “We have nothing for you” or “You are King Kong size.” The first time it happened to me, I was stunned. But after I admitted it to my friends, they owned up that it happened to them as well, and they were sizes 8s and 10s. What we took as offensive was really the sales people trying to be helpful and moving
The First Few Months (3)
In the United States, “shagging” is a type of Southern dance. So when a favorite “shagging” song came on the jukebox in a bar in Singapore, I told my British clients about how we used to shag all the time in college, how I loved it, and how I shagged anytime I could. After I finished and noticed the looks on their faces, someone politely told me that the British definition of “shag” was “to have sex.” Needless to say, I was utterly mortified! —Perry, coauthor and Kraft Foods, Inc.
The First Few Months (2)
It consists of three phases. In the first, the honeymoon phase, everything is absolutely grand. Next, fabulous turns to a period of frustration, depression, and confusion that is often triggered by an event involving minor cultural differences.
The First Few Months
Some days you may feel like screaming as you ride the roller coaster of emotions common to people living abroad. In the first few months of your assignment, you will probably be thrilled to be there, high on the excitement and the adventure—but at the same time, you may feel pretty stupid as you make what you probably consider silly mistakes.