Cultural Habits I Had to Change Fast After Moving Abroad

 

 

The Rules Back Home Didn’t Work Here

Cultural Habits To Change Moving Abroad was something I learned quickly after moving to the U.S. at 13. At first, I thought I could just keep living like I did in India — same manners, same habits, same unspoken rules.

Turns out… nope.
Within weeks, I realized a few cultural habits had to change fast if I wanted life to be less awkward.

1. Talking Too Loud (And Thinking It’s Normal)

In India, you can have a full conversation across a room and nobody minds.
The louder you speak, the more alive the conversation feels. Noise is part of the culture — markets are loud, buses are loud, even family dinners are loud.

But in the U.S., I learned volume control is a thing. Even inside a crowded store, people keep their voices low, like everyone is trying not to disturb anyone else.
It took me a long time to remember this, especially at school. I’d laugh or call out to a friend, and suddenly everyone turned to look at me.

Eventually, I started lowering my voice in public places like libraries, stores, and buses. It felt unnatural at first, like I wasn’t being myself, but it saved me from a lot of stares.

2. Standing Way Too Close to People in Line

Back home, personal space doesn’t really exist in queues. It’s more like an organized crowd — if you don’t stand close, someone will cut in front of you. It’s survival of the fittest.

But in the U.S., if you’re even a little too close, people shift away, glance at you nervously, or give an awkward smile. At first, I thought something was wrong with me. Later, I realized it was just their way of saying, “Back up a bit.”

Now, I automatically keep about an arm’s length of space between me and the person ahead. At first, it felt like I was leaving a gap big enough for five people to cut in, but eventually, it became normal here.

3. Calling Everyone “Uncle” or “Aunty”

In India, every adult is “uncle” or “aunty,” even if you’ve never met them before. It’s a sign of respect, warmth, and connection.

But when I used those terms in the U.S., people looked at me funny or asked, “Wait, are we related?”
It took me time to understand that here, you call people by their name or use Mr./Ms. with their last name — even if they’re much older than you.

I’ll admit, it felt rude at first. Calling someone just by their first name seemed disrespectful to me. But slowly, I adjusted, because using “uncle” and “aunty” confused people more than it helped.

4. Eating With My Hands in Public

Nothing tastes better than eating with your hands. That’s how I grew up — tearing roti, mixing rice with dal, savoring food the way it’s meant to be eaten.

But here, the first time I did that outside the house, I noticed people staring. Some even whispered. It made me feel self-conscious, like I was breaking a rule I didn’t know existed.

At home, I still eat with my hands and enjoy every bite. But in restaurants or school cafeterias, I learned to use a fork and spoon just to avoid the attention. It wasn’t about shame — it was about blending in until I felt comfortable being different.

If you’re preparing to leave India, check Things To Pack Before Moving Abroad for essentials you don’t want to forget.

5. Nodding Sideways for Yes

The famous desi head bobble — a slight tilt or shake that everyone in India understands perfectly. It can mean “yes,” “maybe,” or “I get what you’re saying.”

In the U.S., that same gesture confused everyone. People thought I was saying no or didn’t understand them.
I remember a teacher asking me a question, and I gave a head bobble to say “yes.” She asked me three more times because she thought I was unsure.

Eventually, I forced myself to nod up and down for yes, side to side for no, just like everyone else here. It felt robotic at first, but it made communication easier.

6. Expecting Neighbors to Be Friends

In India, neighbors are like extended family. You share food, stop by unannounced, kids run in and out of each other’s homes. You know everyone in your building or street.

In the U.S., it’s not like that. You might live next to someone for years and only know their first name — or not know them at all.
At first, I thought maybe people didn’t like us. Later, I learned it’s just the culture here — people value privacy and don’t socialize with neighbors as much.

Now, a polite wave or a quick hello is normal. It doesn’t mean people are unfriendly. It just means social circles are different here.

7. Saying “Come Home Anytime” (And Actually Meaning It)

In India, if you say “come home anytime,” you mean it. Relatives or friends can show up unannounced, and someone will always make tea and snacks. No one minds.

In the U.S., that’s not how it works. People plan everything. If you want to meet someone, you text or call ahead, sometimes even weeks in advance.
The first time I casually invited someone over, they looked confused and said, “When? Like… now?”

I quickly learned that you don’t just drop by or expect others to do the same. It’s not rude — it’s just how things are done here.

Final Thoughts

Moving abroad isn’t just about learning a new language or getting used to new weather. It’s about unlearning and relearning the little things — the habits you didn’t even know were “cultural rules” until they clashed with someone else’s.

Changing these habits didn’t make me less Indian. It just helped me fit in, avoid awkward stares, and understand how life worked in this new place. Ultimately, these Cultural Habits To Change Moving Abroad helped me adjust faster and feel more comfortable in a completely new country.

For more pre-move advice, read Top 5 Things Indians Wish They Knew Before Moving Abroad.