Expats Suffer Cultural Crisis Every 3 Years in China? Really?

If you feel like your joy for China is starting to fade and that everything that once felt normal appears weird to you, then most probably you are a foreigner experiencing the "Laowai's (outsider) crisis." 

It appears every three years and is linked with significant "cultural adaptation." Is that so? 

When a foreigner comes to a new country, the differences between the old and new are seen in a romantic light and bring on the "euphoria" of a honeymoon. 

However, after approximately 3 years, when once new and beautiful surroundings become a regular part of everyday life, diminishing excitement and one's ability to learn new things mark the beginning of the "Laowai's crisis."

According to a professor of Arizona State University, adaptation goes through four distinct stages: 

● Honeymoon phase

● Crisis period (culture shock)

● Adjustment phase

● Acceptance and adaptation phase.

This is a case about a foreign friend who had been in China for more than five year and experienced "Laowai's crisis".  

My honeymoon with China 

“Honeymoon” lasted exactly 3 years before it came to a bitter conclusion. Things that I once loved about Chinese culture, people and society became frustrating to me.

My favorite dishes

Street food that I once enjoyed appeared unappetizing and unhealthy. I remember rolling my eyes every time I saw clouds of steam coming up from the huge bowl of oil in the red lantern-lit food trolleys.

Noise on streets

Endless hooting, spitting, arguing and shout-talking seemed to be following me everywhere I went. 

Everything became so annoying that I simply could not understand how, for the past three years, I had such a happy life in China.

Some foreigners eventually realize that the reason they felt down with life in China had to do with their surroundings.

 Lousy weather, a lack of true friends, missing home and a busy period at school and work can make any expat feel depressed.

Perhaps, after two months of feeling disorientated, they will start enjoying China again, then return to their favorite Chinese dishes and the loud sounds, noises and other irritations faded into nothingness.

In order to recover from culture shock as fast as possible, foreigners are recommend to not to be panic but instead think about all the excellent opportunities that are available in China: 

Quick payments with QR codes, online shopping, cheap delivery services, a convenient transportation system and shared bicycles also make life in China much easier. 

In either case, it might not be a bad idea to just wait until the weather warms up and your work is done. Such small changes will allow you to fall back in-love with China... at least for another three years.

Don't forget that culture shock goes both ways: upon arrival in a foreign country and after returning home. More often than not, reverse culture shock can be even worse. 

Sooner or later, all crises come to an end. 

Are you experiencing a Cultural Crisis?

Welcome to share your views below!