Culture Shock

The first thing I would have done to prepare myself from the culture shock is study the Yanomamo. I would have studied their way of life, what they ate, how they dressed, their language, mannerisms, and every detail I can get. If however, I don’t have that information handy, I would have at least asked the guide a few questions before entering the area where the people are living. A culture shock is really hard to prepare for, unless one has studied about it beforehand or else it wouldn’t be a shock at all. Witnessing firsthand my ancestor culture, the Filipino culture, was a big deal when I was a young. Since I was raised in America at the age of two, and learned American culture and language through my schooling, I never associated with my Filipino culture other than through my parents, which even they are much “Americanized.” When my relatives from the Philippines, they seemed like normal people until they cooked food I personally found appalling. My relatives cooked and ate dinuguan and balut. Dinuguan is pig blood stew, and balut is a baby duck egg. I was very shocked they ate this food, which I never heard or eaten. My parents ate it before but have never cooked it and put it on my plate, so it was obviously something I assumed my parents didn’t particularly like eating. I learned my lesson that maybe I should research the Filipino culture before I judge. Just as they were shocked about my “Americanized” attitude, I was shocked with what they ate. I believe understanding other people’s cultures is important so you don’t judge them but help you gain a better perspective on other’s way of life.