Culture Shock in Cyprus
Culture shock, generally understood as the feelings of disorientation and isolation one may feel when adapting to life in a new social milieu, is a normal and necessary part of the expat experience. However, expats moving to Cyprus will be relieved to know that by all accounts, acclimatising to life on the island does not require one to make drastic cultural adjustments.
Cyprus is a wealthy nation, with a high Human Development Index, and a sound infrastructure. However, in spite of all this, life in Cyprus is extremely relaxed and informal (Siga, siga – “slowly, slowly” – is the island's unofficial motto). While, for the most part, this easy-going attitude towards life is exactly what attracts expats to Cyprus, it can be frustrating when dealing with bureaucracy, or having to organise administrative affairs. Expats relocating from countries with very efficient bureaucracies are advised to adjust their expectations accordingly.
As informal as life in Cyprus can be, it is also marked by extreme respect, honour and humility. Expats relocating from countries where self-promotion is considered a worthy personal attribute, might find that they rub against the social grain in Cyprus. Respect for another's religious beliefs – whether they be Greek Orthodox or Muslim – is sacrosanct in Cyprus. Do not ever challenge Cypriots about their religious convictions, and do not proselytise.
Cyprus' history of war between the Greek and Turkish sectors of the population – and the resultant division between the 'Turkish North' and the 'Greek South' – is bound to result in a little discomfort for expats relocating from countries with homogeneous societies. However, Cypriot society is uniformly welcoming of foreigners, and no matter which half of the island expats choose to live on, they will find their new countrymen to be friendly and hospitable.
Some expats complain that Cypriots are bad drivers. Of course, this is a relative judgement, but expats should be wary when first arriving on the island, and should take some time to adjust to the rhythms of Cypriot roads before jumping behind the wheel themselves.
Finally, pet-lovers (especially of the sentimental kind) might initially be fazed by the amount of stray dogs and cats on the island, largely ignored by the local population, and left to fend for themselves. Cypriots, in general, are not 'pet people' – although, expats may rest assured, arrant cruelty to animals is certainly not a social norm, nor a defining characteristic of Cypriot society.
