It’s 1989 – the year I returned to the UK after a long stay in Italy. After 13 years of seeing children treated like Jesus himself, the first thing I see in England is a piece of white trash walloping her little girl on the legs and shouting, „Shuddup you f…. Little bleeder.“ Rain in August was shocking too.
You start wondering where the friendly policemen are, not to mention the nice old ladies you can help across the road. Why isn’t the music of Elgar playing over rolling green hills around you? In place of these dreams is the supermarket car park near some motorway exit. Oh yes, and who the hell is Margaret Thatcher? International TV was not available in the 1980s, and can someone tell me what FMCG Marketing is?
Why am I writing this now in 2025? Because I just read an article on reverse culture shock. For me, the article comes 35 years too late. Now, apparently, it has become recognised as a problem for companies who send their „people“ on overseas assignments. Long live Capitalism.
Reverse culture shock is a serious problem. Deciding to go „home“ after many years in another culture is not to be taken lightly. „Home“ may no longer feel like home. You can feel isolated and misunderstood. After all those years in Italy, an English interviewer said to me, „Ah, Italy, Mr Goddard. Sunshine, sports cars and beautiful girls! Why do you want to come back to the UK?“
I asked the same thing myself but, unable to answer his question, I decided not to accept his job offer.
Thoughts and Words 