American Reverse Culture Shock

Reverse culture shock is the experience of seeing your homeland from a new-found perspective. International travel opens your mind to different lifestyles and cultures, and some things back at home start to reveal themselves as very typically American. The strangest part about coming home to the United States, after traveling abroad, was regarding what I used to consider normal with fresh eyes. In this new light, these things became either comforting or annoying. Here is a list of things fellow American travelers have likely experienced after coming home.

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Sugar Sugar Talk about sugar shock. If you order anything that could have sugar, prepare for a rush. All the desserts I had were way too sweet for me to finish. I also abandoned more lattes, teas, and iced drinks than I ever have before because they tasted like straight syrup. Even my salad vinaigrette was atrociously similar to liquid candy.

Punchy flavors I've discovered that European cuisine is a delicate and well-balanced relationship between flavors and spices where in America we like to slap your face with them. i.e.: a strawberry lemonade in Europe would taste like true lemon with a pleasant hint of sweet, field strawberries. In the US, it will basically be melted lemonheads with fat, syrup-soaked strawberries jammed inside. Sometimes it's nice. Sometimes it's overkill.

AC on blast Say it's a lovely day outside, warm and comfortable to walk around in shorts and a t-shirt. But, you can't because you are going to the movies or a restaurant and once you step through those doors you will wish you put jeans and a sweatshirt.

Ice overboard Speaking of cold. Every cold drink I ordered came served in a cup that was jam-packed with ice. I now realize how unpleasant this is in many ways: it's way too cold, there's barely any liquid, and when you try to get the last drop ice cascades on your face. Why, America? Why?

Friendly people Here's a heart-warmer to bring you back to temp. I forgot how nice and easy to talk to Americans are. It's not considered strange to chat up a person next to you if you have something you noticed or something to mention. And so many smiles! My favorite reverse culture shock. It really is comforting to have such a warm welcome.

Fast service I had grown so used to the lackadaisical pace of Europe that I found myself mildly surprised every time our dinner came to us only 10 minutes after ordering. This translates to everything else as well, check-outs at the store, gas stations, coffee shops. Americans pride themselves in their service and speed is part of it.

Laid-back and open-minded mentality People are comfortable in their own skin. They dress how they want and who cares if their favorite flannel has a hole in it. No need to hide tattoos or take out piercings. You are accepted as you are.

Mountains, forests, and stars Maybe not really a cultural aspect, but an environmental one. I was brought to tears at the sight of these beautiful, old friends. It was one of those things I didn't realize how much I missed until I saw them again. In the big European city, the stars are drowned out, the trees are limited to city parks, and mountains are replaced with skyscrapers. Nature has a way of touching your heart that man-made things just can't do.

Relaxed driving Maybe this is just specific to Portland, Oregon where I am from; but I could relax for the first time in the car in a year. No one tries to cut you off, no one honks (unless there's a squirrel), and no one speeds like a bat out of hell.

Free Hugs The typical gesture Americans do to show their loved ones they care. I literally felt how much I had been lacking physical contact since adopting the European greeting of a peck on the cheek. It was so nice to hug my friends and family again and feel their embrace.

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Thank you for reading American Reverse Culture Shock! Have you experienced any of these things? What else would you add to this list? Comment below your thoughts!