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Symptoms
According to Oberg (1960), the experience of culture shock is a quite normal 
and predictable phenomenon, and is not a sign of weakness, inadequacy or 
some form of illness. The symptoms of culture shock can appear at different 
times. Culture shock can manifest itself as:
showing signs of strain, bad temper, lack of sleep, anxiety, fatigue, 
frequent illness, loss of appetite and hypochondria;
a sense of loss and feeling of deprivation, homesickness and boredom;
rejection, low self- esteem, depression, feelings of isolation, loss of status;
confusion, challenged by constant ambiguity;
surprise, even disgust, obsession with cleanliness;
feelings of incompetence, lack of linguistic ability and apparent inability 
to establish local friendships;
alcohol and drug abuse as a retreat from the effects of culture shock;
a sense of loneliness, particularly for a single person in an international 
community that is family- oriented;
an irrational fear of being robbed or cheated.
In addition, culture shock can manifest itself in behaviour, for example, by 
acting negatively and aggressively towards the host culture, and withdrawal 
into a form of ‘little England’, developing a ghetto mentality, which is com-
pounded by a refusal to attempt to learn the local language and ascribing 
negative stereotypes to local nationals. A common reaction is to idealize the 
home country and take every opportunity to return on visits. Because of 
tension and conflict within the family and resulting marital stress, the 
employee is likely to have an ineffective attitude towards work, with result-
ing poor performance and lack of motivation.
Responses to culture shock
The responses to culture shock vary and can include displaying open 
hostility to the local culture, adapting a defensive attitude, frequently 
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114 Cross-Cultural Communication
complaining and even becoming aggressive when one’s ethnocentric impulse 
dominates. This is demonstrated by the following types of behaviour:
Withdrawal from interaction with the local culture and people, and 
immersion in one’s own cultural group while denigrating the local 
culture. Examples of this ghetto mentality include armed forces bases 
overseas, which can become self- contained with little interaction with 
the local community.
Superficial acculturation, for example, adopting local dress and habits, 
which can often be seen as patronizing by people of the local culture.
Adjustment to the new culture, understanding and respecting the differ-
ences, and yet affirming one’s own individual and cultural identity.