To those who seek the road less traveled—This one is for you.

I remember the first time my friend Kate showed me how to cook popcorn on the stove. She got a medium pot, poured in two tablespoons of oil and added a handful of popcorn kernels. Then she covered lid and waited. Soon we heard the kernels popping—slowly at first, then quickly as the oil heated up. Kate draped a hand towel over the top of the pot, from one side handle to the other to prevent the lid from slipping. Then she gripped the handles and swirled the pot from left to right, raising it slightly above the stove.

“It’s to keep the kernels from burning,” she explained over the sound of sizzling oil.

After the popping subsided, she turned off the stove and seasoned the popcorn with salt and butter. She dipped a small bowl into the pot and handed me my share of fluffy, crispy goodness.

Do you cook popcorn this way? Until a few years ago, I only made popcorn using the microwave. I thought it was the “normal” way to make popcorn at home, so you can image my surprise and delight when Kate showed me her method.

This example is one of many habits that people pick up at home. When we are kids, we do what our parents do. Do you drink water straight from the tap or do you only drink bottled water? Do you separate your whites from your colored clothing when you do your laundry or do you mix them? We might break or change our habits as we grow older, but we often mirror what our family did. We are also greatly influenced by a range of other people—our friends, teachers, co-workers, etc. They are part of the environment in which we live and contribute to each person’s normalness. Small differences may cause surprise and curiosity. However, bigger differences cause shock and fear.

When I traveled to New York City the first time, I was surprised by its hurried pulse that people thrived on and was intrigued by the myriad of independent businesses not available in the South. When I traveled to England the first time, I was shocked because I couldn’t understand what people were saying to me. I had never British English spoken with so many unfamiliar accents. We’re both speaking English, right? Why can’t I understand them? For the first few weeks I was afraid to interact with locals, but over several months I became used to their regional accents.

I noticed the differences seemed to grow larger the further as I traveled away from home. But I also noticed that my prior exposure influenced my reactions. I had family and friends who were from New York City who told me what it was like to live there, whereas I knew no one who had gone to England and watching BBC shows led me to believe that all British people spoke like the new anchors.

This is culture shock--when you travel to another country or meet people who have a different background, you are shaken by the differences.

“How can this be?”

“Oh my god. I never knew people did this—lived like this—ate like this—”

These are a few thoughts that run through people’s mind during their first encounter. And why wouldn’t they react in such a way? They’ve either had no exposure or their previous ideas have been shattered.

Now, moving past the shock is the tricky part…

(To be continued…)