Last term I asked my senior high school students who had traveled to the US what they thought was strange about American culture. Here are there responses:
Daily Life:
There is no take-out in Japan. They thought it was strange that people can ask for their leftover food to be put in boxes to take home.
In movie theaters, people say "Awwww" at sad scenes. I think the Japanese are generally more quiet at movies than Americans.
You can't purchase huge jugs of milk in Japan. My students were appalled at how much milk people bought.
Buses stop at train tracks in the US. Apparently they don't do that in Japan.
No one takes off their shoes when they enter a house. Gross! Don't the floors get dirty?!
At school:
In almost every school in Japan students wear very formal, very strictly enforced uniforms. My students were surprised at what American high school students are allowed to wear to school.
American students often eat food or chew gum in class-- something that NEVER happens in Japanese schools. My American colleagues and I are not technically allowed to hand out candy or cookies to students as rewards, but we do anyway. It's a hard habit to break, and they're just so dang cute and appreciative of us giving chocolate or candy to them.
Boyfriends and girlfriends are ALL OVER EACH OTHER in the hallways in America, my students said. Here in Japan, Public Displays of Affection are kept to a minimum in public. I rarely even see people holding hands at the mall.
Name: Ruthie Home: Japan About Me: I want to know who God is and what his truth is. I love getting lost in beautiful music and cloudless star-filled skies, especially in the fall. I hate being bored. I like big cities. I want to travel the world. read more
Name: Ruthie