Is it normal for people not to adapt to the local culture while abroad?

39% Normal
12 Comments

I am really trying not to be racist (I am from a minority too actually), I just want to make an observation about what I have been noticing a lot lately.

I live in a quite international European city, but I originally come from America. We have people from all around the world here. I have been at the university for some years, living with people from many different cultures. And I have also been working at a hostel for a while, also getting to know people from all over the world.

What I notice is that people from eastern Asia (Japan, China, India, Korea, etc) and people from Muslim countries never seem to be the least interested in learning about the local culture. They just don't want to adapt at all.

I see that they only hang out with each other and don't really try to befriend other people. Also, whenever they are forced to interact with anyone else, they act just like in their homeland, they don't even try to learn some basic courtesy.

As examples: I had this Muslim guy living with me and other 3 people in the same flat, who basically acted as if he ran the place and forced us to live like Muslims. I also had this Indian friend who has been living here for years, and he doesn't even know a single phrase in the local language. He doesn't even know English well and he told me several times that people are supposed to make the effort to understand him.

So, I just wanted to know if this is normal, or I am just rather unlucky with international people.

Voting Results
39% Normal
Based on 36 votes (14 yes)
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Comments ( 12 )
  • dom180
    10 years ago

    I think it's perfectly normal for people not to change their behaviour, and I've got absolutely no problem with it. Cultural background is an important part of a person's identity, and not everyone has an easy time of learning new languages. It doesn't hurt me if they live that way, so I've got no reason to care. I don't want to live in a single-culture society.

    Acting as if you own a place and forcing people to live how you want is always unacceptable no matter what the reason.

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    • Legion
      10 years ago

      agreed.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      10 years ago

      While I think you are right in certain way, I do believe that people must adapt when they are abroad. I don't think they should change their beliefs or their personality, just act in an acceptable way. I do appreciate when people bring a little of their culture to a new land, but you have to understand that local people expect to feel "at home" on their own land.

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      • dom180
        10 years ago

        I don't think a handful of people who do not embrace local culture are enough to stop anyone from feeling at home. I think everyone should try to be appropriately polite, but I think other people should also show a degree of leniency and forgiveness.

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  • GeeGees
    10 years ago

    I think it's scary if someone's telling the truth and no one believes them

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  • [Old Memory]
    10 years ago

    I think you've come across a few jerks.

    There are a lot of international students from the Middle East and Eastern Asia at my university too, only I live in Canada instead of Europe. The class sizes are relatively small at my uni so it's easy to get to know the other students.

    I've noticed there are two types of international students: the ridiculously wealthy kids who think they are better than everyone because of their wealth, and the less affluent kids who came here on their own merits to broaden their experiences. The rich ones are not friendly and they don't take their classes seriously because they're only here to have a good time without the watchful eyes of their families on them, and then they'll leave. They will get their 'real' education in their own country.

    Then there are the less wealthy international students who want to have an authentic experience. They don't necessarily adapt to the local culture, and I don't think they should have to. However, they are polite and friendly to the other (domestic) students, and they do try to do their best in their classes.

    I think you might find American students studying abroad could fit into similar categories; ones that don't care to adapt the local culture and those that do. You are probably one of the ones who do care and I bet you have met several others who are like you too. Good for you, you reflect well on your country when so many other people don't.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      10 years ago

      I completely agree with you, but I would add a few things. Maybe it is different because this is Europe, but wealthy people do try to learn the local culture as well in general. We do have the rich kid type you described though, but they are not that common.

      Among the less wealthy I would separate them into two categories as well, the ones who come for their academic merits and the ones who come as opportunists. I have had many classmates of the later type; people who come to "study", but actually spend all their time doing little jobs or trying to find cracks in the system to earn more money and be the least time possible at school.

      And finally, about Americans... I would say that most come with a narrow mentality, but eventually become a little more down to earth. At least among my American friends, we always make fun on how they used to act back in the States (I am actually Latinamerican). Personally, I had a hard time adapting here too, but it was a little easier for me, because I came with my parents, so I always have to be on my best behavior.

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      • [Old Memory]
        10 years ago

        I think, when it comes down to it, every culture has their good-guys and their assholes, and some of those assholes like to travel.

        The world is getting smaller so people are going to have to start being more tolerant whether they want to or not.

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  • Avant-Garde
    9 years ago

    It's their culture. I suggest reading up on Asian culture in order to better understand them. I do think that it is rather rude. For instance, in America, there are some immigrants from Middle/South America who make no effort to learn English or American culture.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      In their defense, (United States of) America is a multicultural country, so you cannot really say that there is some "American culture" that people should learn, because that truly depends on specific locations and social circles. Moreover, there is no official language in the States, English is the most spoken language and the second is Spanish. In fact, in some cities of Florida and Texas there majority speaks Spanish... so... that's all I have to say about that.

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  • mafum
    9 years ago

    Islam discourages friendship with non-muslims, but they are still supposed show love outside while they feel hate inside. This isn't just islam though...

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  • o_0
    10 years ago

    You're so correct.You're talking of a place which we call multicultural so its common to see people belonging to different cultures, ethnicity,religions e.t.c over there and for me its actually obvious that these people have to somehow adapt to the place and trends over there, that's how people socialize. they have to look and feel normal for those around them and not that they get noticed due to what they're wearing or doing.Especially those who attend the universities or colleges over there or lets say young people because these people have a greater desire to be accepted as a part of that place which is not the case if they try to follow their own culture. as it is a very common thing to be bullied, isolated, taunted e.t.c for being way different.
    secondly, its because their is very less encouragement towards following one's own culture and background. People can be seen less devoted towards their own traditions, lifestyles, culture.... they chase the western things what ever it is.I attribute it to the growing influence of media which is actually predominated by western culture in most of the things you watch and it is obviously liked ,so people try to copy them so as that they can be considered more fashionable, modern, and better.

    But for me the saddest part is that people living in their very own states, around those who usually share the same culture, religion e.t.c and who know the imp. of their traditions and culture and won't judge you for that, also do that... In my place all those who want to claim that they are modern and fashionable follow the western styles, wear their kind of clothes, and behave as if in any western country. now that makes me sad.
    fortunately I am not one of them and follow my culture firmly but its no wrong to say even I like the western lifestyle and others. but I say whats the use of it.. it makes sense if you're in a place dominated by such people but its not important and good when you're in your place.. going opposite to what you believe and what you belong to makes people so double standard. (not judging , just telling how confuse they are)
    so, conclusively, its true and for me its the media actually playing the biggest role.

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