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Pune: German Expat's Culture Shock on Return
22 Jun
Summary
- Woman adjusts to India's climate, flora, and routines after 15 years.
- Reverse culture shock includes language, traffic, and social custom shifts.
- Adapting from structured German life to Pune's 'jugaad' and service culture.
A woman has detailed her experience of reverse cultural shock after returning to Pune, India, following over 15 years of living in Germany. Describing everyday routines as a relearning process, she noted significant adjustments to India's climate and natural surroundings, contrasting them with Germany's.
The transition involved shifting from German to a mix of English, Marathi, and Hindi. She also observed changes in traffic patterns, moving from disciplined German roads to Pune's more dynamic flow, and from structured systems to flexible 'jugaad' solutions.
Lifestyle and social interactions presented further contrasts, moving from a DIY culture to a service-driven society and from privacy focus to more open social exchanges. Navigating these differences, she finds her return both familiar and new, embracing the reshaping of routines and mindset in Pune.
