CULTURE SHOCKS!!!

Each one of us has the tendency to get along only with one’s own race and culture. It gives a sense of comfort when we are with people who belong to our caste and religion. Some people are so stuck to their culture that they do not come out of their shells to mix with people of other cultures. It is not the ego that stops but it is the fear of not being able to get along with the other race is what scares them.

Indians do not prefer migrating due to the time which will take to get used to a new location and new set of people. Though, nowadays job transfer has forced people to move to other locations. It is very important that people take relocation as a positive trait. It is always good to know other cultures, their values and rituals.

Few people when asked gave their views in a very different manner. Rita, a marvadi, is working in an I.T firm in Hyderabad. She says, ‘It was not easy in the first place to get along with the new place. One of the barriers was language. I and my friends had trouble in moving around the place but if you happen to ask the right person for queries, nothing is difficult. It’s been a year since I moved here. I have friends who are from different states. Though, we are different from each other in more than many ways, we still have the maximum fun in life’.

Not all are able to put up with the new environment pressures. ‘My friend Anita came to Chennai for her higher studies in communication. Due to the different cultural habits, she moved to her hometown after a two month stay,’ says Mallika.

Not only youngsters face migration problems, but also families where the male member is asked to transfer every three-four years. “My husband is working in a bank which requires transfer every three years. My son and I have adjusted with three places so far. My son had difficulty in the beginning but eventually he got used to the change,’ says Dimple, a housewife.

One of the major problems of migration affects food habits which can be devastating at times. Most people prefer home food to other food habits so much that outside food leaves them starving. ‘I think relocation to north was the most terrible thing that happened to me. I hated the food out there. There were times when my friends used to go out for food and I would live on bread and biscuits. It took almost two months for me to actually start eating normal food,’ says Raji, a media student.

One would point out that other problems such as dressing; living style, behavior and language are the factors that affect migration across states. Though there are problems, it teaches one to survive in a new place with a new set of people. It increases the tolerance power of a person when he gets accustomed to a new place.

Cribbing at the problems will really not bring any results. Instead, learning to go out of our way, breaking the barriers of cultures will work wonders. It is really beautiful to have friends from other states. After all, India is a country where all cultures are respected for their values.