Chile Forum

Afterburner wrote:On the general subject of the thread, some people never get past the second stage of culture shock as described below:

You will find that you severely dislike the culture and will experience intermittent feelings of anxiety and depression characterized by a demonstration of animosity, a short-temper, a strong sense of "being stuck," and a frequent tendency to criticize and mock the people and their culture. Depending on the individual, this stage can last for up to three to six months, or it may persist considerably longer for those who lack the capacity, faculties, and social support required to properly adjust.

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Stereotyping however results from cognitive pressures which exaggerate supposed differences among groups. It's linked to self-esteem in that "self-esteem depends partly on the properties of groups to which people belong; they can enhance their self-esteem by comparing out-groups unfavourably with the in-group." (Argyle, The Psychology of Interpersonal Behaviour pg 86)

Or it could be the holding up of an editorial mirror so that the players might better see themselves in their many self-admitted vices and foibles, a practice found even in their own nascent opinion-journalism industry. Or perhaps it is also the application of a form of humourous hyperbole that characterises a recognised and popular gonzo literary style, particularly when used by those who have spent a considerable number of years working amongst the natives, and their institutions and work-places, writing for their government and the foreign press, and reflecting long upon their comparatively quaint and wretched ways. This, after having lived happily and pleasantly in a number of somewhat more evolved and civilised nations with equally atrocious language and cultural conventions. Those observations, however acidic they may be perceived to be, serve a number of purposes, ranging from bemused revelation to agitated warning. Take for example The Daily Feature, which reflects upon rigourous field studies surrounding the astonishing inability of natalinos to competently park or shop at their local Unimarc, and who likewise characteristically fail to communicate effectively in any of the world's known languages.

O sea, podés tomar toda aquella seudopsicología y meterla donde no brilla el sol.

patagoniax wrote:

Afterburner wrote:On the general subject of the thread, some people never get past the second stage of culture shock as described below:

You will find that you severely dislike the culture and will experience intermittent feelings of anxiety and depression characterized by a demonstration of animosity, a short-temper, a strong sense of "being stuck," and a frequent tendency to criticize and mock the people and their culture. Depending on the individual, this stage can last for up to three to six months, or it may persist considerably longer for those who lack the capacity, faculties, and social support required to properly adjust.

<LINK REMOVED>

Stereotyping however results from cognitive pressures which exaggerate supposed differences among groups. It's linked to self-esteem in that "self-esteem depends partly on the properties of groups to which people belong; they can enhance their self-esteem by comparing out-groups unfavourably with the in-group." (Argyle, The Psychology of Interpersonal Behaviour pg 86)

Or it could be the holding up of an editorial mirror so that the players might better see themselves in their many self-admitted vices and foibles, a practice found even in their own nascent opinion-journalism industry. Or perhaps it is also the application of a form of humourous hyperbole that characterises a recognised and popular gonzo literary style, particularly when used by those who have spent a considerable number of years working amongst the natives, and their institutions and work-places, writing for their government and the foreign press, and reflecting long upon their comparatively quaint and wretched ways. This, after having lived happily and pleasantly in a number of somewhat more evolved and civilised nations with equally atrocious language and cultural conventions. Those observations, however acidic they may be perceived to be, serve a number of purposes, ranging from bemused revelation to agitated warning. Take for example The Daily Feature, which reflects upon rigourous field studies surrounding the astonishing inability of natalinos to competently park or shop at their local Unimarc, and who likewise characteristically fail to communicate effectively in any of the world's known languages.

O sea, podés tomar toda aquella seudopsicología y meterla donde no brilla el sol.

Yep, Michael Argyle is a well-known pseudopsychologist.

In theory one gets over culture shock by the third year. One is supposed to feel like a tourist the first year, marveling at the novelty of the new culture. The second year one misses everything from his or her home culture and thus draws negative comparisons. By the third year one is supposed to come to terms with both aspects. I managed to skip phase one. By now I am realizing that phase one only happens if you hop in a jeep and drive south.

momof3 wrote:In theory one gets over culture shock by the third year. One is supposed to feel like a tourist the first year, marveling at the novelty of the new culture. The second year one misses everything from his or her home culture and thus draws negative comparisons. By the third year one is supposed to come to terms with both aspects. I managed to skip phase one. By now I am realizing that phase one only happens if you hop in a jeep and drive south.

I lived in Spain and Mexico before I came to Chile in 1978, so there was no "shock." But also very little culture. In a newspaper interview with the Prensa Austral in that year I mentioned being favourably impressed with the country. Over the years I have gotten over that.

patagoniax wrote:

momof3 wrote:In theory one gets over culture shock by the third year. One is supposed to feel like a tourist the first year, marveling at the novelty of the new culture. The second year one misses everything from his or her home culture and thus draws negative comparisons. By the third year one is supposed to come to terms with both aspects. I managed to skip phase one. By now I am realizing that phase one only happens if you hop in a jeep and drive south.

I lived in Spain and Mexico before I came to Chile in 1978, so there was no "shock." But also very little culture. In a newspaper interview with the Prensa Austral in that year I mentioned being favourably impressed with the country. Over the years I have gotten over that.

I lived in the 'Peoples Republic of California' (which begins north of the 605 Freeway and ends at the Mendocino county line) before I came to Chile in 2007, so no "shock" for me. But I'm still adjusting to the culture, which I find quaint. Sorry, I must have missed the second year syndrome.

My wife was on the phone last week with a new client that is moving to Chile and was asking for advice on where to invest or make a living.

She told him, "Chile is the land of opportunities. Everywhere you go someone is doing something wrong".

admin wrote: "Chile is the land of opportunities. Everywhere you go someone is doing something wrong".

And earnestly desires regulation to ensure that it will always be done wrong.