Culture shock is the anxiety and feelings (of surprise, disorientation, uncertainty, confusion, etc.) felt when people have to operate within a different and unknown culture such as one may encounter in a foreign country. ( Courtesy : Wikipedia).
As, the above definition states that it is encountered in a foreign country. I would like to state that it is encountered within different states of India.
Well, If you don't mind, I would like to share my personal experience.
After my results of 12th standard board examination were out, my next decision was to do my graduation in Bangalore as i will get maximum exposure. Well, let me share few instances of my culture shock in Bangalore.
When i met few super seniors, they were explaining the details of events in each fest. I called a commerce secretary whose name is Dipti ....... "Chechie" and other super seniors gasped and started passing comments "Dude! calling her chechie is a complete no-no". Though she said it is ok. I got my first share of cultural shock. In Bangalore, if you are introduced for first time, you give a hug or handshake at least. I felt it was really warm thing to do because you are being close to the person you are meeting up. I became a complete outgoing person, meet up people and become friends easily.
I had to do MBA after B.Com, unluckily i didn't get into any college in Bangalore. So, I came back to Kerala where the college is situated in Trivandrum. First few days were rosy to me and i enjoyed very well. I still had the thoughts of making friends in Trivandrum as it was in Bangalore. So, i tried doing the "Hug" with one of my classmates. The comments they passed were shocking as well as surprised. People in Trivandrum do have their very own personal space. I got to know through the hard way. The slang, they use is pretty confusing for me and also the language too. My relatives are shocked to know that i don't know how to talk my mother tongue very well. It is a difficulty when i talk to the bus conductors every time in the morning. But, I can handle it.
So,you can see the difference from 2 places in the same country. Is this the reason why people tend to be comfortable in their own state and not explore other states to experience culture shocks? Who knows. I feel having a culture shock experience creates knowledge or learning about the particular culture. A easy battle to be fought where there is a learning to it.
