The Seven “Deadly” Reverse Culture Shocks That Kick In Upon Leaving Cambodia

When my travel-filled life hit a bump in the road called Covid, I found myself actually plunked down in the same place for a period of two years. This has been my first stretch of being in one place for an extended period in ages. And as a result, I’ve begun to truly feel at home in the Kingdom and become somewhat set in my ways here.

So much so that now that I’m back on the road again for work, I’m feeling something I have never encountered, or expected to. I have been hit by a reverse culture shock. Turns out there are a number of things done in Cambodia that I have not only become used to, but genuinely miss in their absence. Note some of the following “shocks” are applicable mostly when visiting western destinations and not Cambodia’s more regional neighbours.

To read about how to leave Cambodia during Covid-19 click here.  

Shock #1-There’s no bum gun!

On initial entry into Cambodia I found the bum gun quite weird, then I fell in love with it to such an extent that when I saw people in the UK stockpiling toilet paper it amused me. 

Then I found myself at Istanbul airport needing the toilet, as you may have surmised, not just for a whiz. When I looked around the stall for the bum gun? There wasn’t one. I felt myself genuinely “devolving” as I reluctantly retreated back to the TP method of sanitizing one’s back end. Why the bum gun hasn’t taken off as the “gold standard” of “rear-end maintenance” globally I will never understand. 

Shock #2-Other places are “actually” cold

OK, it’s a broad statement and I realise locals and long-timers have convinced themselves it can get a bit chilly in certain parts of Cambodia. But they’re wrong! It never gets cold here…period! It took leaving and seeing snow again up close and personal to remember I don’t even need to own a jacket in Cambodia.

Now I understand that acclimatizimg is an actual thing. And that over time the 22 degrees Celsius encountered every blue moon in the wee hours of a Phnom Penh morning when up for an early swim or dragging oneself home from a very late night may in fact “feel” cold. But it ain’t….grow a pair. You never know when there may be a Canadian lurking, waiting to lecture you on what cold actually is and you’ll want to spare yourself that. Saying you feel cold here is a trigger for them. Yes they are nice and very polite, but they never know when to stop and if not interrupted, will shift to an even longer discussion of their nationalized health care.

Shock #3-Ice isn’t always available

While barangs might scoff at the local habit of putting ice in beer, the fact is that the automatic and generous doling out of ice to drinkers and diners in Cambodia is not just a local practice, it’s damn near a fundamental consumer right. This is not the case in Europe or the UK. Ice there must be requested and heaven forbid the weather is cold outside! Asking for ice during a cold snap will mark you as problematic, weird and generally suspicious. And you might be lucky to get two reluctantly proferred cubes along with a side portion of contempt. Note that contempt is “included” with any and all requests in France, not just those for ice.

Shock #4-Not all countries are friendly

Cambodia is frequently voted one of the friendliest countries on earth. You can read about that here. The fact that this is a yearly measure and a popular one at that, is a clear indication that there are friendly, less friendly, not so friendly and in fact, totally unfriendly people out there. They just don’t tend to live here.

I won’t launch into a tirade about which nations are not nice as I bet you can think of at least three off the top of your head. The sad truth is that they are indeed out there, which is easy to forget here.

Shock #5-Exchange rates are hard 

OK, we do need to do the odd bit of mental gymnastics when converting Cambodian riel pricing into dollars or pounds or whatever. But things are also priced here in USD as well and almost ubiquitiously. That helps makes budgeting your life here very easy.

To read about how Cambodian money works, click here.

Shock #6-Stuff is expensive 

A broad generalisation and remember we are comparing prices in Cambo with those in the west. But let’s be clear. You won’t be finding any 50 cent beers in the western world or even place adjacent to it. Also? No cheap street food. As for taxis? No, it will not cost you just a few dollars to traverse a city. 

Example? While in Beirut I was told “Beers are really cheap here, just $3”. Cheap? You have no idea son, no idea at all.

Shock #7-Hot showers in cold temperatures!

OK, so while I am aware that some people in Cambodia do indeed opt for hot water showers, I do not. There is nothing I enjoy more than a cool shower in a hot country. Step out of the shower and you warm up…lovely! Hot showers in cold countries present a different and less enjoyable scenario. You leave your hot shower and immediately have to rush get your clothes on as the room is bloody cold and there is serious “shrinkage” happening in the downstairs department.

So there they are. The seven deadly reverse culture shocks that expats encounter upon leaving the Kingdom. I am sure I have missed a few so please share any that come to mind in the comments on the Facebook posting of this article.

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