Recently, I have somehow felt uncomfortable with my own culture which I should be used to, and I am sometimes comfortable with American culture. When I visited Spokane for the first time, all I had in my mind was “unusual” and “strange.” This is because there were things that I had not experienced before. However, now I am used to the environment because I have spent quite a long time in America, and there are many things that I regard as “usual” and “common.” Meanwhile, I feel Japanese culture is strange but interesting in some ways, like people’s behavior and service. Changing cultures occurs easily.
I feel cultures have changed for me because I am accustomed to a new environment and take almost everything for granted after I am in a different country for a long time. Although I have lived in Japan for about nineteen years, living in America has made me change my point of view about the cultures in Japan and America. For example, I was not fond of hugs in February. This is because I had just not had a habit of embracing as a greeting, and I wondered why I should do that so often. However, while having fun seeing many people in the Spokane community and getting to know each other, I began to feel it was usual to hug, and I was stressed without embraces after going back to Japan. I have recognized hugging is natural since in Spokane again.
Additionally, I had no idea why Americans are generous to strangers. For example, they say hello even to unfamiliar faces and often welcome them into their homes as host families for free. However, during homestay, I noticed to accept others meant not only to offer something to guests without being paid, but also to understand another culture and language. I finally understood that building good relationships and helping each other are important things, and I am wondering why there are fewer opportunities in Japan. One reason why Japanese don't invite people to their houses is because their homes are too small for many people to spend time together. Also to have parties in houses is not as popular as in America. Because of living in America, I want to invite friends to a party in my home so we can feel relaxed together.
On the other hand, when I went back to Japan and went shopping with my mother, I felt a bit strange about a saleswoman in a clothing shop. While shopping, I was being talked to by her all the time. In America, I was not spoken to while shopping; clerks just greeted me, and that was it. I was so confused that I could not say anything to the Japanese clerk, and I wondered whether she would leave me alone or not. However, after the incident, I recognized how polite she was and the service was good for me to choose clothing. In addition, I think the difference of what people say after they are helped is interesting. In America, they might say “thank you” but in Japan they would say “sorry.” It might be because of diversity of cultures, but I am confused, for when I am helped by Americans I have to be thankful and when I am supported by Japanese I should be sorry. Even though I am not used to changing cultures, I actually enjoy the variation and am glad my point of view will become wider.
Thinking about languages, culture, customs, and points of views more deeply than ever, I have recognized that changing cultures is not a bad thing but an important thing. Anyone might undergo the experience to feel that culture is changing while living in a new environment apart from family. It might happen not only to me but also to you, so let yourself take a chance. If we have something that we think is weird in our culture, we can discuss whether we will accept it or not until we understand it, and if we have something fun and comfortable in another culture, we can take it into our lives. We should be sensible and international people, and it will be a good chance for us to develop as humans.