Why It's Necessary to Know a Country's Culture Before Moving

Deciding to move to another country is one of the most exciting decisions you could ever make, but it is also one of the most daunting. It is never really as simple as packing your things and just going. There are a lot of things that need to be taken into consideration. Are you prepared for such a step –– financially and, more importantly, emotionally? If so, then you need to start planning way ahead. The process of shipping your valuables and belongings overseas alone is excruciating and costs a lot of money. So, the sooner you plan it, the more efficient it will be. The most important thing to remember, though, is reading up about the country you’re traveling to. Here’s why you have to know a country’s culture before moving there.

To Avoid Offending the Locals 

This is the most obvious reason why you need to understand a country’s culture before you go. Not knowing how those people live their lives can be disastrous as you can and probably will offend them quite a few times because you didn’t know the proper protocol at the moment. For instance, a lot of Asian countries aren’t accustomed to tipping in restaurants and cafés, and it might be considered offensive if you do it. Some Asian countries also consider it rude if you walk into a temple or a house with your shoes on, and you should take them off lest you insult the hosts or those around you. It is small details like these that you will understand if you just read up about a country’s culture a little bit before you relocate. 

Avoiding Fines 

Some things that might be culturally normal around your country might be in fact illegal in other countries, not just offensive. For example, in Singapore, if you spit in public, you could be faced with a fine of up to $700! Believe it or not, chewing gum is actually illegal in Singapore, too. If you were caught chewing gum, you might face a hefty fine, while manufacturers and vendors face even jail time! In Hong Kong, littering could land you a fine of $200. So, you see, you need to learn about those cultural quirks because they can help you avoid quite a few hefty fines. 

Bonding with the Locals 

Perhaps the most important reason why you should know a country’s culture before moving is to bond with the locals. When they sense that you have shown enough care and consideration to not only read about their customs but also follow them, this will help you leave a great impression. When the natives feel like you know about the country and its traditions, it helps you bond with them and blend in naturally. You feel less like an outsider when you express that interest and knowledge, and it also gives you something to talk about with the people instead of those awkward silences where nobody has anything to say. 

Moving Past Culture Shock 

While you probably don’t think much of it right now, culture shock can have quite a disorienting effect if you don’t understand a country’s culture before moving. If you go to China, for instance, and see people eating live scorpions or insects –– which is quite normal there –– you might be unpleasantly surprised and express your disgust, offending others. So, for dealing with culture shock and moving past it, knowledge is your best friend. You will be more familiar with a lot of the cultural traits of the country, and this will help you keep your emotions under control and avoid any unpleasant surprises. More importantly, feelings of cultural shock don’t only instill disgust; they can also bring about feelings of loneliness and homesickness, not to mention anxiety. So, you need to avoid those feelings at all costs, especially in your first few months, and you can do that by learning in advance about the country’s culture. 

A Better Understanding 

Knowing a country’s culture before moving will ultimately help you have a better understanding of the country and, more importantly, the people. We all have some biases and preconceived notions about different cultures and peoples, which is even easier than ever now in the age of the internet where we only see the bad. When you take the time and put in the effort to learn about the place, you start seeing beyond what you’re told is the truth. You will understand the political and socioeconomic climates and how they are affecting people’s lives in the country. This will eventually lead to you being more accepting and understanding because you know what the people have gone through and how this has led to them being where they are now.

Knowing the Little Details 

The little details often prove critical when you’re moving to another country, and preparing beforehand really helps here. For instance, you should ask and search about the dress code for certain occasions in the country, just so you’d have an idea of what is to be expected of you if you’re put in that situation. Greetings and how people socially address one another also make a huge difference and are details that you need to cover before you go. A country’s culture isn’t just about heritage, social etiquette, and the arts. A country’s culture is so much more than that, and the subtle difference can be really tricky to spot, but they are noticed by the locals and they help you blend in naturally.

If all of these reasons aren’t enough, then you should know that a huge chunk of people who don’t learn about a country’s culture before moving usually end up going back to their home countries. They simply can’t cope with the differences and the cultural norms, so going back becomes the only reasonable choice. 

Being in a foreign country and dealing with a culture foreign to you isn’t really easy, and you need to be prepared for that fact. It will take time for you to get used to how people live and interact, and more importantly, how to adapt your own behavior and life to those customs. So, the sooner you start learning about those differences, the better off you will be.