Cultural shock is caused by the anxiety that results from losing all the familiar signs and symbols of social intercourse. These signs include a great many ways with which we are familiar in the situation of daily life: when to shake hands, how to go shopping, when to accept and when to refuse invitations, when to take statements seriously and when not.

　　When a person is suffering from cultural shock, there may appear some important symptoms. First he rejects the new environment that causes the shock. He grumbles about the host country and its people. Another symptom of cultural shock is regression. The home environment suddenly takes on a tremendous importance. To him everything there becomes irrationally glorified. All the difficulties and problems are forgotten and only the good things back home are remembered. There are also some other symptoms of cultural shock, such as excessive washing of the hands, excessive concern over drinking water, food dishes and bedding, fear of physical contact with attendants, the absent –minded stare, a feeling of helplessness and a desire for dependence on long-term residents of one’s own nationality.

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