Culture Shock Essay

727 Words3 Pages
Assignment Culture Shock Case Study Paper March 24, 2013 Egypt and its traditions and cultures are very old. Dating back to almost fifty one thousand years and filled with an immense history, an American visiting or working in Egypt would most definitely feel the phases of culture shock. Anyone visiting a foreign country has to get used to its surroundings and traditions. The first phase of culture shock is the fascination and excitement stage. This is what most tourists’ exhibit when traveling to a new country. A person may wonder how people can live the way they do in other countries but they do not know any different. Quite frankly, they may never experience anything else so their happiness is what a tourist must respect when visiting a foreign land. After being in Egypt for a few days, time change could make the “honeymoon” phase disappear really quickly! Frustration with the culture differences is the second stage of culture shock. The time change from the Philadelphia area to Egypt is enough to affect even the strongest traveler. If someone is doing business between the two countries the time change is so important and something to keep in mind. If it were 10 am in the US, it would be 5 pm in Egypt. In addition to the time change, because most Egyptians follow the Islam religion, they have certain things that are required of them that must alter their business schedule. Muslims pray 5 times a day – Dawn, Noon, Afternoon, Sunset and Evening. Also, Friday is considered a Holy Day in Islam so businesses are closed. The Egyptian weekend is usually Thursday and Friday due to their religious beliefs which they follow faithfully. During Ramadan, a holy holiday lasting one month, Egyptians are only permitted to work six hours per day. They also must fast from dawn to dusk from not only eating but smoking, gum chewing, and drinking. Americans do not have time for
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