Adapting

[sad_eyes]

I was just curiouse. I am sure you are all aware of the society we live in either here in Canada or there in the USA, and the HUGE difference there is between living here and in your native countries. Do you think that if you were to move and live for the rest of your life to your native countries that you would adapt well, and how long would it take for you to adapt? I dont mean to strike anyone down here, but I am sure that you will all understand when I say that an itatlian, living in the USA, for example, despite the fact that they live a "traditional life," can never be what an italian living a life in Italy could be. Yes, or no?

[karoaper]

I was just curiouse. I am sure you are all aware of the society we live in either here in Canada or there in the USA, and the HUGE difference there is between living here and in your native countries. Do you think that if you were to move and live for the rest of your life to your native countries that you would adapt well, and how long would it take for you to adapt? I dont mean to strike anyone down here, but I am sure that you will all understand when I say that an itatlian, living in the USA, for example, despite the fact that they live a "traditional life," can never be what an italian living a life in Italy could be. Yes, or no?

Yeepeeee, I'm the first respondent (there better be a prize ).

YES?
no no wait, NO
hmmm, no wait I take it back, iiiiyyyeeesss.
wait what was the question?

[sad_eyes]

Silly Willy! If you were to live in armenia, could you adapt to the differences between America and Armenia regardless of how your family may be like?

[karoaper]

I was just curiouse. I am sure you are all aware of the society we live in either here in Canada or there in the USA, and the HUGE difference there is between living here and in your native countries. Do you think that if you were to move and live for the rest of your life to your native countries that you would adapt well, and how long would it take for you to adapt? I dont mean to strike anyone down here, but I am sure that you will all understand when I say that an itatlian, living in the USA, for example, despite the fact that they live a "traditional life," can never be what an italian living a life in Italy could be. Yes, or no?

Sorry, I'm back, schizophrenia is hard to cope with sometimes

I think what you're referring to is "Cultural Shock". I had it when I first come to US at the age of 18 (I'm an old fart btw). I had to adjust to the way people around me treated themselves and each other. Some differences were positive and some negative. Even the positive ones forced me to recallibrate my perception of things. Now, however, even though I'm still a citizen of Armenia, going back to Armenia would mean another Cultural Shock, because I had to adapt to the way of life here in States and now on the surface at least I'm more American than Armenian. Again, positive or negative changes would require some time and adjustment for me to feel like my old self again. But, obviously it would be easier to slip back into a Hayastanci, than it was making the transition to States.

As far as, people who have never lived in a specific country, I still think that if they are open-minded and flexible and like the life in that country, after due time they can make the transformation into a native.

[Siggie]

I wouldn't be able to live in Iran. No way, no how. I wouldn't be able to adapt to that. I'd either not go, escape, or get myself thrown in prison. An Armenian living in Iran would be very different from living in the US for obvious reasons.

[winoman]

I wouldn't be able to live in Iran. No way, no how. I wouldn't be able to adapt to that. I'd either not go, escape, or get myself thrown in prison. An Armenian living in Iran would be very different from living in the US for obvious reasons.

Yeah no going running around "naked" anymore eh?

Actually i am friends with an Iranian women who married an American here and they moved bakc to Iran for awhile - then moved to Saudi! Yup - she lived there for 8 years and has some great stories. She is a real fighter for women's rights within Islam and can really take it to the fundies and put them in their place. She really has some gumption - in her 8 years in Saudi she says she never once wore a full veil - in fact she went uncovored most all of the time and went out and about on her own quite often. The secret she says is not to hang about and talk and laugh with others or to look around at the sites as if you were a tourist but to just go about your business with a sense of purpose and determination and don't bakc down - even when confronted by the religious police or other super fundies. She had numerous encounters with such and none ended in any beatings or her being dragged off to jail - unlike other (Western) women that she knew there - some of whom were beaten and jailed and had their passports stamped prostitute (two German women she knew aparently had such happen to them for going about braless in Riyad - not really a wise move it would seem. Iran is probably not so bad as this for the most part - and there are still many Armenians there who - fopr the most part - are respected and left alone so I gather. Still - no watching "Desperate Housewives" on Sunday nights or laying out topless by the pool eh?

[Siggie]

Yeah no going running around "naked" anymore eh?
...
Still - no watching "Desperate Housewives" on Sunday nights or laying out topless by the pool eh?

I don't do these now either. It's not just about what you can wear. That's a very limited way to look at it.

[Anonymouse]

I was just curiouse. I am sure you are all aware of the society we live in either here in Canada or there in the USA, and the HUGE difference there is between living here and in your native countries. Do you think that if you were to move and live for the rest of your life to your native countries that you would adapt well, and how long would it take for you to adapt? I dont mean to strike anyone down here, but I am sure that you will all understand when I say that an itatlian, living in the USA, for example, despite the fact that they live a "traditional life," can never be what an italian living a life in Italy could be. Yes, or no?

Yes and no. No most likely because I would always get into fights with the rabies for opening my mouth.

[winoman]

I don't do these now either. It's not just about what you can wear. That's a very limited way to look at it.

I supose that it is...do you really believe that is all I was concerned with - just because I used it as an example - and was trying to make a bit of fun concerning it...oh well...

[sad_eyes]

I am half albanian and half french. I was born in Canada and in no way could adapt to the albanian lifestyle. France, yes. I speak french, so that would help a great deal. As far as Armenia is concerned, I am hesitant. I have always been a do it yourself kind of girl, you know? Like, cooking, sewing, gardening. I think that would help me. But my fear would be my lack of speaking armenian and my canadian self. Rejection maybe. I would love to live there I suppose. It seems so beautiful. But the no heaters would kill me.