Country Quote by Tahir Shah
“Settling into a new country is like getting used to a new pair of shoes. At first they pinch a little, but you like the way they look, so you carry on. The longer you have them, the more comfortable they become. Until one day without realizing it you reach a glorious plateau. Wearing those shoes is like wearing no shoes at all. The more scuffed they get, the more you love them and the more you can't imagine life without them.”
About This Quote
Source Book: In Arabian Nights: A Caravan of Moroccan Dreams, Tahir Shah, 2008
Adapting to a new culture feels uncomfortable at first but becomes natural over time, leading to deep attachment and ease.
In simple terms: New cultures feel strange then become familiar and cherished.
Key Takeaway
Embrace discomfort; it will fade.
Themes
adaptation
culture shock
comfort
attachment
growth
Mood
reflective
hopeful
determined
Type
personal
inspirational
cultural
When to use this quote
- immigration
- first days abroad
- learning language
- making friends
- celebrating local festivals
Key Concepts
cultural assimilation
psychological adjustment
identity formation
Questions to Reflect On
- What small daily habit helped you feel at home?
- How do you balance new culture with your roots?
A Different Perspective
Comfort can mask underlying challenges like isolation or loss of original identity.
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
