Cultural assimilation...

On Friday night, we were watching a TV show featuring a recently deceased comedian, and as we discussed the cultural influence comedy has in our lives, we also measured that, beyond any language barrier, culture represents a steep ascent for immigrants.
From there I thought of all the steps we had to climb before we finally could grasp all the intricacies and mores of the American way of life...

• Deciphering: A first step for newcomers to a foreign country; translating the language, understanding the spoken word, getting down to the mechanics of basic communications... 
• Discovering: Getting to see, explore and realize how different ideas, attitudes or reactions can be part and parcel of a new culture. This is still a stage of observation. 
• Understanding: Spotting differences right away between one's own culture and the host country's. Drawing conclusions, measuring the gaps both qualitatively and quantitatively.
• Assimilating: Finally getting a full understanding of what is going on. Adopting some traits that we find desirable or compatible with us, while rejecting others. Navigating in much greater comfort, playing on a bi-cultural register. 

From a timeline standpoint, these different steps will occur at various moments. As far as we are concerned, I would almost say that they have been equally spread over four decades of residence in America...