Culture shock reverse

Culture Shock! What is culture shock? Before any trip to another country, especially "exotic" destinations such as Africa, Asia, or South America, the saying is, "Wow, you're going to experience culture shock!" Culture shock is described as a feeling of confusion and anxiety. This can occur when you go to a foreign, distant, unfamiliar country where life looks different from your home country. 

But is there also a term for when it is the other way around? What if it is not the traveler/foreigner who experiences the culture shock but the locals? There is no term for that, is there? Hence, "culture shock reverse." I no longer share a big culture shock here in East Africa, smaller ones in any case. But now it should be only indirectly about me, but rather about the people around me because I noticed they often experience more tremendous culture shock than I do, and that is in their home country.

How does it come to that? For my new acquaintances, I am the first Muzungu friend they have. My friend's sister was amazed when we walked through the streets of Kisumu for the first time. We kept hearing the word Muzungu from every corner. When a Boda Boda driver asked me if I was single, she said afterward that this question was inappropriate and that it was none of his business. She translated everything for me when someone said something in Kiswahili, and I was amazed at what people had to say. The most common statement is, "Can you ask your Muzungu if I can be her friend too?" It was a completely new world for her, to be spoken to by so many people because of my presence and to be observed. 

I had similar situations with Veronica and Niver. The two of them also had to get used to the pick-up lines and looks of the others. Niver said, "There you go, walking around with a Muzungu, and already everyone wants something from you and is talking to you." When I walked the short distance with them, it was noticeable that quite a few people who see them daily were suddenly talking to them. 

I always think it's cool to watch what happens to my friends when I walk the streets with them. On the one hand, they are proud that a Muzungu walks around with them, and on the other hand, they have to get used to the comments and looks first. For me, this is already everyday life. However, we all find it incomprehensible why people say something in Kiswahili when they see that I am with locals on the way, and they translate everything to me. This is a big mystery to all of us.

There is another Alina statistic or analysis: there are different ways to be made aware that you are a Muzungu. Some are incredibly uncomfortable and just annoying, and then others are okay. You realize that this person is talking to you out of politeness and not because you have a different skin color. The most annoying and stressful encounters are actually with school kids between the ages of 14 and 18, where they want to be excellent. It can happen to you that the youngsters change the street side and chat with you or, as it happened to us in Tanzania, follow your snaking lines and thus miss you. Immediately following are Boda Boda drivers or vendors who hope to get more money from you or who want to hit on you. Of course, not all of them, but enough that this analysis can be made; then come just any random people who chat you up inappropriately. Children are also great because their parents often egg them to talk to me. Then, I follow up with other people who want to speak to me honestly and politely. These are mainly those who have seen me several times and whom I meet repeatedly on the way to town or the fruit and vegetable sellers inside. Finally, a large part of the population goes its way and does not care about me! Thank God.

Recently, I walked through the streets and then had to smile and laugh at myself. I do not like to be the center of attention and draw attention to myself. I wouldn't say I like that at all, and now, I have to do nothing but move through the streets, and I am in the absolute spotlight. As life so plays 😉 However, one thing must be said: I did not even feel uncomfortable or threatened here. Even alone, I can walk through the streets without further ado and fear, logically mindful you must always be, but that is everywhere in the world.