lack of control

I think part of the hardship with culture shock is the realization that you have a lack of control. In the beginning of the trip, when things are new and exciting, adrenaline and a sense of adventure can carry you far. But when you're tired and people keep speaking to you in a language you barely understand, everything becomes annoying and ridiculous. Like the fact that the bride's beautiful train is connected to her intricate dress with large, quite visible safety pins. Or the way people drive. Or all the rules that you have to follow.

You just lack control. You can't control what food you eat, because you're always visiting people and it's offensive to not eat what you're offered. You can't control your schedule, because you're part of a team and have submitted yourself to its authority. You can't say what you want because you lack the words to use. Even though your environment may not be 180° different from where you grew up, it's just skewed slightly enough that the differences grate at times. And you can't control that, because your environment consists of different people, from a different culture.