The Stages of Culture Shock

Having been here about 18 months, I would like to give a concrete example of the Stages of Culture Shock.

Directly across the street from my office window is the village church. Every village church has a steeple and bells that mark every quarter hour, every half hour and every hour. Twice a day, these bells (plural) clang continuously at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., for at least one minute.

It feels like an hour. It's so loud that all phone calls or Skype meetings (or YouTube videos) must come to a screeching halt until said bells are done.

When I first arrived in this quaint little rural village, I was enchanted by this church and its lovely European bells.

Now, not so much.

Culture Shock Stage 1: The Honeymoon. 
Everything in the Honeymoon Stage is new, fresh and exciting. Every experience is rich and euphoric. You feel that you could enjoy these things forever.

In my first week at my new office in Switzerland, at precisely 11 a.m., the bells begin their sweet music. I stop work on my computer and rush to the window, throwing it open to get the full effect of the pure, pealing sounds. I lean out with my Canon Digital ELPH to record video of this authentic Swiss experience and post it to my blog for all my friends and family at home so they can share in my enthusiasm for its novelty and charm. 

Culture Shock Stage 2: Distress 
What at first seemed new and exciting becomes increasingly irritating and confusing.

At 6 p.m. during my third month at my office in Switzerland, I am in the middle of a video call with a news source in Russia. It's tough enough to understand through his accent over the bad connection. But now, the bells burst into an explosion of seemingly discordant clanging.

Russian guy: "What is going (unintelligible) there?"

Me: "Uh, sorry, hold on," I say, frantically trying to lower the volume on my microphone and leaning over to close the open window.

Me: "THERE'S A CHURCH ACROSS THE STREET," I shout at the computer.

Russian guy: "WHA --" he yells back, and I can hear the clanging reverberating from his computer speakers and back into my mine.

Me: "IT'S A CHURCH. ACROSS THE STREET," I try to explain. I think the bells might be triggering a migraine.

Russian guy: "THAT'S A (garbled) CHURCH?"

Me: "YES, CHURCH BELLS. IF YOU COULD WAIT JUST A MOMENT..." I beg.

Russian guy: "I (garbled static because of too much noise going into my microphone) HEAR YOU--(static)." 

Culture Shock Stage 3: Withdrawal 
You refuse to accept what is new and different in the culture. You're frustrated, irritable, and feel hostile to the place and the people. 

It's 11 a.m., and I'm working hard on a complicated article, humming to songs on iTunes. When the steeple bells begin their shrill, mocking laughter at me, I slam the window shut and crank up the computer speakers as loud as they will go, singing off-key at the top of my lungs. When that doesn't  work, I plug my ears and yell, "I CAN'T HEAR YOU. I CAN'T HEAR YOU."

(OK, I don't actually do that. But I feel like it.) I go downstairs to get a coffee and wait it out.

If there were a hunchback, there is nowhere he could run that I would not find him.

Culture Shock Stage 4: Adjustment 
You learn to accept the culture, and your negative feelings toward the differences become more positive.

A friend is visiting Switzerland and stops by my office to see where I work. We're sharing coffee at my desk when the steeple clock strikes 11 a.m., and the daily musical announcement of the time begins.

Friend: "THAT IS SOOOO COOL," she enthuses in a loud voice to get above the resonating metal striking metal. "DO YOU GET TO HEAR THAT EVERY DAY?"

Me: "YEAH," I affirm, hesitant. "DON'T YOU THINK IT'S LOUD?"

Friend: "I GUESS SO. BUT IT'S SOOOO EUROPEAN!"

Me: "IT'S KIND OF A NUISANCE WHEN I'M ON THE PHONE, THOUGH," I feel it necessary to point out.

Friend: "SURE. BUT, IT'S EUROPE, YOU KNOW?"

Me: "AND I DON'T NEED TO WEAR A WATCH ANYMORE." 

Culture Shock Stage 5: Acceptance
You feel at home and may even adopt some of the country's customs.

During a video call at 6 p.m. with U.S. based office team back home, they suddenly stop.

Coworker: "Are those church bells going off?"

Me: "What?" I ask, confused. Then I realize I hadn't noticed the steeple bells across the street this time. "Oh, sorry about that. They do that every day at 11 in the morning and 6 in the evening. Let me turn the volume down."

Coworker: "That's pretty neat. A Swiss church right across the street!"

Coworker 2: "I'd love to hear that every so often. I sure miss those European churches."

Me: "I will, too," I say, knowing my contract here won't last forever.