I hadn’t even left Turkey when reverse culture-shock hit. In the airport a German man began asking an American woman questions about how her trip was and as she replied in “normal” everyone-in-the-whole-airport-can-hear tones I almost couldn’t resist the urge to shush her. The more she talked on, oblivious to how much she was sticking out, the more irritated and uncomfortable I became. You just don’t talk that loud here in public. But she didn’t know that, so I kept my mouth shut and thought about how acculturated I have become.
The airport in Germany was one of the quietest places I have ever been. Maybe Germans are even quieter in public than Turks. It was really nice for getting some letter writing done.
My niece asked for if I wanted something while I was drinking juice so I used the convenient Turkish was of saying “no” by simply raising my eyebrows, and then turned away. Shortly after, I realized that in my present culture this gesture did not communicate the meaning that I had intended. I explained and my family had a fun time trying out this new way of saying no.
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