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I have had the amazing experience of living in another country for two and a half years. As I’ve gotten used to all the new things around me and a new way of life in Thailand, it’s hard to adjust back to what once was the norm. Reverse culture shock is experiencing your own country again through a different set of eyes. And let me tell you the American way of life is drastically different from the rest of the world.

Being home for about two weeks, plus being in self-quarantine, you start to question a lot of things and miss things that were once weird. This is my list of reverse culture shock experiences in America so far.

Language

Gone are the days of blissful ignorance and, “Sorry, I don’t understand.” Everyone here speaks English and it’s so weird to understand what everyone is saying. I feel like I forgot how to properly talk to someone without using broken English.

Being able to read signs and actually know what I’m buying at a store is really refreshing. I can read the ingredients on products again!

Visiting a restaurant and being able to read the menu is so exciting. I can order something other than rice and chicken.

Amazon

If you’ve lived in Southeast Asia, you know the Amazon equivalents are Shopee and Lazada. You can find just about anything on there for very cheap. However, it’s the delivery process that can be quite challenging. Unlike in America, the mail system in Asia can be a hit or miss. Meaning sometimes packages never make it to you because maybe the delivery driver, let’s say, didn’t feel like delivering your mail that day.

Or the driver may call you on your phone to confirm your address. But there is the language barrier and you both just end up frustrated. You more so because you have no idea if he actually left the package at your house or not.

Nonetheless, the trusty American favorite, Amazon, provides you with delivery tracking through the app so you can stalk your package all the way to your front door. I mean how convenient is that?

American Food Culture Shock

Ok, the big one, food. Let me just say, living without an oven for over 2 years deserves a round of applause. No fresh baked cookies, cake, muffins, brownies or baked chicken, pizza and fish. It was tough.

But now, I am overindulging in all things baked. I no longer have to pan-fry everything with oil and it is an amazing feeling.

However, I have noticed while walking through the grocery store, that the portion of pre-packaged meats is nearly 3 times the size that I would find in Thailand. Chicken breasts are definitely plumper.

The amount of frozen food and ready-to-make meals is overly excessive. Our society is so accustomed to getting things right away that we don’t actually appreciate what we have. Being able to use fresh ingredients to make a meal isn’t as common as it once was. And while cooking at home in Thailand, also isn’t common, Thais will often pick up fresh street food on the way home or go out to eat with family and friends.

Also, let me just say that I’m glad that I no longer have to decide if I want seaweed or squid flavored chips.

Fashion

The fashion in Thailand is best described as stuck in the 90s. Lots of big sleeves, lace, wide-leg pants, big strappy sandals, and weird graphic tees. Women dress more conservatively and I always felt weird wearing a sleeveless top and shorts. I would always a least try to have either my legs or my arms covered, but not expose both at the same time. The exception being, if I was in a tourist area or going to the beach.

Skintight clothing is not a thing here and you will stand out if you decide to wear something slightly revealing. I like to blend in rather than stand out.

I feel more normal not having to worry if what I’m wearing is too exposed or not.

Traffic

I’m sure if you’ve ever traveled to Southeast Asia, one of the first things you’ll notice is the traffic. It can take 1 hour to go 15 minutes down the road. You will become an expert at weaving in and out of traffic on a motorbike. That is if you’re confident enough to drive around in Thailand.

Adjusting back to the US where we drive on the right side of the road instead of the left, has been a little tricky. Especially since I haven’t driven a car in 2.5 years. I’m used to my little motorbike. Vroom vroom!

Nevertheless, the roads are so much quieter here without the obnoxious honking. People are actually nice when they drive, stopping at lights, yielding to pedestrians, and not driving like they are on a racetrack.

Oh, and not driving on the sidewalks!

Have you experienced reverse culture shock with your own country? What was your experience like?