ICU Bennett Response

The Bennett article which goes over the various stages of cultural interaction and adjustment classifies reactions to new cultures into a variety of stages and phases. I personally don’t believe these stages are as prevalent or inevitable as Bennett portrays them. However, I did identify with the ‘reversal’ stage and can think of a range of emotions and sentiments I’ve held told fellow farang and ultimately my own culture which reflect Bennett’s reversal phase of cultural interface.

Thailand’s rich tourism industry has created a large influx of western visitors and sojourners. I have personally encountered a large number of college age students who seem to be here just to party and not to learn or embrace anything about Thai culture. This has created a staunch contrast in my mind between the cultures and social values of Thailand and western countries. I unfortunately now find myself bothered by the presence of other farang an often mutter the phrase ‘oh man, look at all these farang dudes’. I recognize that I should be embracing my fellow travelers but I cannot shed my newfound sight of western tourist. I now completely understand the regrettable stereotype of the loud obnoxious American.

I find this to be an amazing difference in my sentiments from last semester during my time abroad in Turkey. Although Istanbul has a consistent influx of tourists, it is not anything comparable to that of Chiang Mai. Last semester when I met another American I was beyond glad to be talking to them, and instantly engaged in conversation, interested in where they were from and what they were doing in Turkey. It felt good to speak English and to be comfortably conversing with someone who has a similar cultural background. In Chiang Mai, Americans are easy to come by. I have virtually no interest in hearing (for the millionth time) about someone’s travels in Laos or the crazy nights they had in Bangkok.

Overall my cross-cultural understanding has certainly evolved. I’ve learned to identify cultural differences and to embrace them for being cultural differences. I am now less frustrated by them and more interested in the little social differences that shape our cultures. I have also learned to identify what are distinctly American idiosyncrasies and I always wonder how I would react to them as a foreigner in the States.