95). While many nationalities have such established support systems already in place, many such immigrant support networks remain weak today (Ramirez, 2002). Furthermore, these elderly citizens will likely be accustomed to a level of respect and honor that may be missing from the cultural setting upon their arrival in the United States, further contributing to the potential for "culture shock." According to Haskins (1999), culture shock is "a feeling of impotence that results from the inability to deal with the environment because of unfamiliarity with cognitive aspects and role-playing skills; we usually think of culture shock when we imagine immigrant groups visiting or moving to a new country" (p. 122). There are opportunities for culture shock across all measures for new immigrant, many of them unperceived and unexpected from the host nation's perspective. For example, Stanger (1999) notes that despite the ready availability of a modern metro subway system, most senior citizens in Prague still prefer streetcars since they do not require the navigation of long staircases and the potentially large crowds that can be dangerous for older individuals. "Many older streetcar patrons have been riding the same line their entire lives along streets whose names have changed a number of times," Stanger says, and "Social etiquette on the tram is very clearly defined and almost religiously followed. The young...
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