> comprised of people who learned how to interact socially in the school environment. [...] This means that many of the subtle conventions that underly the more visible dynamics will be intuitive to someone with a school background
I am sceptical. I think that these effects are, as you say, subtle, and given how people are able to emigrate/immigrate when adults and still manage to fit in with foreign customs, etc., seems like evidence to me that it isn't all that bad.
All foreign customs are unnatural and irrational when viewed by the outsider—i experience this daily in the country where i'm currently living (been here 3 years, it still seems bizarre sometimes, even though i'm reasonably integrated with local friends and SO etc).
Anyway, perhaps i'm comparing apples to oranges :).
I am sceptical. I think that these effects are, as you say, subtle, and given how people are able to emigrate/immigrate when adults and still manage to fit in with foreign customs, etc., seems like evidence to me that it isn't all that bad.
All foreign customs are unnatural and irrational when viewed by the outsider—i experience this daily in the country where i'm currently living (been here 3 years, it still seems bizarre sometimes, even though i'm reasonably integrated with local friends and SO etc).
Anyway, perhaps i'm comparing apples to oranges :).