How to prepare for his culture shock?

[veradis]

I'm very excited because it looks like my husband will be arriving in Canada in a couple weeks. But I'm also a little nervous about the culture shock that will inevitably hit him. I lived abroad in China for 5 years, so I do have some sense of how living in a foreign country can feel. But for me that was never permanent, this is him leaving everything and everyone he knows in Cuba to move permanently to a new country. Not to mention China tends to roll out the welcome mat for Canadians so I was spoiled. When he arrives, he'll be obviously welcomed by the people around us...but I know all of his experiences with Canadian people and society won't be good ones. And a lot of things about Canada will be totally new and overwhelming. I want to be as prepared as possible to help him with the negative experiences and the hard times. Any ideas?

 

[R151NG5UN]

He will love it and at least he has a few months before winter sets in lol. It could be worse he could be landing in January or February. I think it will be so cool for him as long as he is open minded and open to the capitalist society which will probably be the biggest shock. It will take awhile to settle but I am positive that he will be better for being with you and for experiencing a new and exciting adventure. Just be sure to hold his hand for the first few months. Congrats by the way!!!!

 

[parker24]

While my husband is American, he's from the south. He had a bit of a culture shock too! Just talk to him about Canada. Make sure he knows there's no igloos that we live in or polar bears in our backyards (Hubby's family thought that...) and maybe talk to him about what to expect with the crazy drivers haha.

I slowly introduced some Canadian foods to my husband, IE Poutine. He LOVED poutine, and is slowly getting used to KFC having fries, not mashed potatoes haha. And saying pogos instead of corndog. I'm going to have him eat a beaver tail next time we're in Ottawa

That's all I can advise! Like I said, hubby is only from the US so it's not A LOT different, but he had some of the media's portrayal of what it would be like. IE Lumberjacks, igloos, polar bears haha.

 

[veradis]

Yeah I told him to empty out his fridge and practice sitting in it to prepare for winter. He is always like 'Your love will keep me warm'. Hahaha, he has noooooooo idea!
I can't wait to experience all the new things with him - I'm certain grocery stores will blow his mind! When we went to Havana for his interview we ended up in a 3-storey building with an elevator and he was over-the-moon and couldn't stop laughing. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with him...he'd never been in an elevator before! So I imagine the first few months are going to be lots of amazing experiences like that.
And then there'll be the slump, probably around winter, when he misses his home and family like crazy. That is going to be interesting
Thanks for the congrats, it's going to be a wild ride...but I'm excited!!!

 

[goodman36]

Well he will not be by himself. You will be with him. So, things will be fine. Of course, if he arrives in the Winter, who knows! But, take him to Tim Horton then

I am sure he will enjoy the Baseball. Take him to some Cuban restaurant here. He will know, there are people like him here too.

Be Happy.

 

[veradis]

While my husband is American, he's from the south. He had a bit of a culture shock too! Just talk to him about Canada. Make sure he knows there's no igloos that we live in or polar bears in our backyards (Hubby's family thought that...) and maybe talk to him about what to expect with the crazy drivers haha.

I slowly introduced some Canadian foods to my husband, IE Poutine. He LOVED poutine, and is slowly getting used to KFC having fries, not mashed potatoes haha. And saying pogos instead of corndog. I'm going to have him eat a beaver tail next time we're in Ottawa

That's all I can advise! Like I said, hubby is only from the US so it's not A LOT different, but he had some of the media's portrayal of what it would be like. IE Lumberjacks, igloos, polar bears haha.

I'm always amazed to hear that Americans really believe all the igloo/polar bear stuff. Poutine eh? I'm quite certain my husband is going to gain about 10000 pounds in the first month with all this new food to try out!

 

[veradis]

Well he will not be by himself. You will be with him. So, things will be fine. Of course, if he arrives in the Winter, who knows! But, take him to Tim Horton then

I am sure he will enjoy the Baseball. Take him to some Cuban restaurant here. He will know, there are people like him here too.

Be Happy.

Baseball definitely. And TFC...he's a soccer maniac. He actually said he'd like to try skiing so that is a good sign!

 

[R151NG5UN]

LOL @ Parker

It seems I am in for quite the culture shock as half of those foods dont exist here. At least Canda still sells rootbeer (We phased it out in the early 90s) it is like gold dust here

 

[veradis]

LOL @ Parker

It seems I am in for quite the culture shock as half of those foods dont exist here. At least Canda still sells rootbeer (We phased it out in the early 90s) it is like gold dust here

I'm pretty sure A&W root beer is the best there is...so that will help wash down the poutine and the beaver tails!

 

[parker24]

I'm pretty sure A&W root beer is the best there is...so that will help wash down the poutine and the beaver tails!

YES! My husband's first poutine was A&W's haha and I had one too with a root beer!

...now I want some poutine danggit haha

 

[R151NG5UN]

While my husband is American, he's from the south. He had a bit of a culture shock too! Just talk to him about Canada. Make sure he knows there's no igloos that we live in or polar bears in our backyards (Hubby's family thought that...) and maybe talk to him about what to expect with the crazy drivers haha.

I slowly introduced some Canadian foods to my husband, IE Poutine. He LOVED poutine, and is slowly getting used to KFC having fries, not mashed potatoes haha. And saying pogos instead of corndog. I'm going to have him eat a beaver tail next time we're in Ottawa

That's all I can advise! Like I said, hubby is only from the US so it's not A LOT different, but he had some of the media's portrayal of what it would be like. IE Lumberjacks, igloos, polar bears haha.

Lol again @ Parker saying I am going to have him eat beaver loooooooooool ;D

 

[LeisaP]

but I know all of his experiences with Canadian people and society won't be good ones.

Im just wondering why do you think they experiences wont be good ?

 

[LeisaP]

LOL @ Parker

It seems I am in for quite the culture shock as half of those foods dont exist here. At least Canda still sells rootbeer (We phased it out in the early 90s) it is like gold dust here

haha this is too funny!.
im living in mexico with my spouse and they dont have rootbeer here and it drives me nuts!! i miss it soo much! haha
i settle for dr pepper!

 

[veradis]

Im just wondering why do you think they experiences wont be good ?

I obviously hope he'll have mostly good experiences...but from the other immigrants I know and other Cubans living in Toronto, it's not always easy. There's gonna be some racist people, some people who are just ignorant jerks. In Cuba, he knows everyone, has a good job, is a loved and respected member of his community. Here he's gonna be just another immigrant to a lot of people. He's going from the top rung of his home, to the bottom rung of his new home. I love Canada and believe most Canadians are good people...but I know it's not perfect here and he'll run into some of those imperfections.

 

[veradis]

Hi Veradis,
I've been following your blog and I really love it.

Regarding the topic, I would suggest both of you having realistic expectations of what he could do upon arrival. I can imagine Cuba and Toronto being so different, ie. language, weather, no salsa dancing etc. lol

A couple years ago when I went from Vancouver to Toronto for university, I had my own culture shock. Both cities are so different even though they are both in Canada. It was overwhelming not knowing how to take the TTC (zoning and fares), when in Vancouver we just pay and walk onto the skytrain without any kind of turnstiles, or having a transfer valid for 90mins and we can use it to do a quick round-trip. All these little things add up, and boom, I had depression in the winter. September - December, and only 3 months I managed to develop migranes and depression. It was this serious for me. I hope your husband can really "take it easy" so he won't feel the impact.

Yeah, I think any new place is overwhelming for awhile. Just not knowing where you are and how to get around is stressful. And though he speaks English, being in all English, all the time will be tiring at times.
He does have a few Cuban and Canadian friends here already. And me obviously!!! He's really easy-going so I think he'll generally take things in stride. But I imagine there will be challenges.
There is a ridiculous amount of salsa dancing in this city. Man oh man, he is already looking forward to being the salsa king of Toronto
Thanks for reading the blog by the way, I'm having a lot of fun writing it...so happy people are enjoying reading it!!!