♪Happy Birthday,Fumie♪

I wish you good health and happiness in life
today and always!

Hi David and everyone,

This topic is always interesting even though we heard it before, isn't it?
I've never lived in foreign countries, so I’m not sure what people notice about good or bad points about Japan, however, I often hear people from foreign countries who live in Japan experience culture shock when they come to Japan, and again they have reverse culture shock when they go back to their own countries.

Well… let me share my views about the points David mentioned.
( I've never lived in the UK but stayed there for three weeks.)

>The second thing I noticed was how dirty things are. Yes, I noticed how beautiful and comfortable Japanese public places are; subways, toilets, in(?) the trains and some other places.

>The third thing I noticed was how different people are in their interactions with one another.

I agree with you. I visited the UK and took a subway from Heathrow Airport. When I got off the subway, I was at a loss because I could not find an elevator, but some guy came close to me and carried my suitcase up to the first floor! I think this could happen in Japan, and people help an old person or a mother with a baby, but his attitude was sooo natural and nice! While was in the UK, this problem never bothered me.
In the elevator at hotels, guests smile, greet each other and even have a short conversation. It was a nice feeling.
As for your friend’s case, yes, I don’t think we are taught these kinds of things when we are kids, but she happened not to notice! By the way,I usually check my behind,haha!

I’d like to write something more, but sorry to say, I don’t have time now. I’d like to share the rest of my views later, maybe tonight.

See you soon,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2011年9月27日 09:16

Hi Anne,

My point about my friend in Sapporo was that she didn't notice there was somebody behind her because she didn't bother to check. I'm sure that most Japanese people would hold the door open for someone if they knew they were there, but they just don't look. In Britain, people don't just hold the door open if they notice; they check behind them every time they go through a door to see whether anyone is following them.

•  David
• 2011年9月27日 16:25

Hi David and everyone

Long time no see.
I'm Nao that posted some comments one year ago.
I was very busy because I change my job,so I didn't watch this blog.

Anyway I remembered my trip to the UK after I read this topic.As David said,people in the Uk check behind them every time they go through a door to see whether anyone is following them. I felt people in the UK are so kind.And I think it's very different from Japan.

Nao

•  Nao
• 2011年9月27日 16:54

Hi David,

Speaking of holding a door open for people behind you, I just wonder if men in the UK open the door for a woman. Perhaps it happens only in the old movies?

Incidentally, I always look behind me to see if someone is coming so that I can hold the door.

Ash

•  ashmoleanmuse
• 2011年9月27日 18:40

As I have said before, it amazes me that Japanese people don't do this, because Japan is such a polite country in so many other ways.

Hi Ash, everyone holds the door for everyone in Britain, not just men for women.

•  David
• 2011年9月27日 18:41

Hi Fumie,
Is it your birthday today? If so...
♪♪Happy Birthday♪♪ I hope you had a great day:)

Hi David,
The third thing you pointed out reminded me that I should tell my children to check behind them when they go through a door. Thanks!

I'm going to bed now. Good night,

Tomo

•  匿名
• 2011年9月27日 23:58

Hi David and everyone

Long time no see. I have had another busy days.
I didn't have enough time to join here.
First, thank you for your comments to my birthday and sorry for late reply. Thank you very much.

It's an interesting topic. And it is helpful because I am going to Britain this weekend.
When I read about holding a door, I noticed that I always check behind me when I open a door in my office but hardly do that in the public area. It's strange. I'll be careful in UK, and also in Japan.

Hi Nao
Welcome back! Glad to see your comment again.
Does your work hard? Please take care.

Hi Fumie
happy birthday!


good night
trmr

•  trmr
• 2011年9月28日 01:10

Correction...
誤: Does your work hard?
→ Did you work hard?

trmr

•  trmr
• 2011年9月28日 08:07

Hi David,

I was thinking of writing a comment last night, but I couldn't connect the Internet, something wrong with my pc again. It seemed to take forever to access, so I gave up.
I am on my way to work, and hope I can connect the net tonight.

Hi Fumie,

Belated happy birthday;)
Hope you had a good time with your family.

Hi trmr,
Going to the UK?
Lucky you:) have a feb time with your wife!!

Have a nice day everyone,
amo

•  amo
• 2011年9月28日 08:33

Hi trmr

Thank you for your comment!
I thought I can't keep working at the last company.
Men can do a big job,but few women can do a big job...It isn't fun for me...
Now I work hard,but I enjoy working!

Nao

•  Nao
• 2011年9月28日 08:56

David,

> it amazes me that Japanese people don't do this, because Japan is such a polite country in so many other ways.

IMHO, it's a myth that Japan is one of the most polite countries. The Japanese consider the needs and feelings of their families, friends, colleagues, etc. However, they don't seem to do it to an out-group.

> everyone holds the door for everyone in Britain, not just men for women.

I know that everyone passes through the door and holds it open for everyone regardless of gender. What I want to know is, "Do men in the UK walk forward and swing the door open for a woman?"

Ash

•  匿名
• 2011年9月28日 09:26

Hi Anne, Tomo and trmr,

Thank you so much for the bithday messages! Your messages cheered me up because I was kind of depressed at work.

trmr, you are going to UK. Lucky you! Is it a business trip? Anyway, I hope you enjoy your trip.

Hi Nao,

Long time no see you. I'm glad to see your comment. Looking forward to see your comment again if time allows.

Hi David and everyone,

I like the topic though I have never lived in foreign countries so I don't have first-hand experiences.

About the third point, I sometimes hold the door open for people behind me when people come right behind me but sometimes not when people are still little away.
I saw foreign men helping with carring a baby carriage with a baby at stations several times. When my children were little, any Japanese people helped me with that. It was really hard walking up stairs carrying big baggage and holding a baby carriage with a baby and a little children beside me.

About the 4th point, I don't want to wait to be served in shops but it would be fun to talk with sales assistants. But here in Osaka, people are friendly so we sometimes talk with strangers. But people are rather outspoken, thus their remarks may hurt other people's feelings. (I'm sorry I got sidetracked.)
I definitely think Japanese people follow these two customs and help each other and talk with people even if we are strangers.

I'm sorry it may not relevant to the topic but I think each country has good customes and bad customes. I especially prefer two of Japanese ones.

First is Japanese bathing. Soaking in a bathtub to release stress rather than just a shower to get clean.
The second is the custom we take off our shoes when we enter the house. It is not only good to keep inside the house clean but also it's more comfortable without shoes.

It took me longer than I used to be to write this comment because it's been awhile to write comment in English.

Fumie

•  Fumie
• 2011年9月28日 09:48

Hi David and everyone,

Long time no see! I'm going to appear in an opera next month, and I have to go to do the rehearsal every weekend, so I'm very busy. The part I play is a minor part, but it is good opportunity for me to learn lots of things, I think.

About this week topic, I have never lived in foreign countries.
The fourth thing you pointed out, I have had same experience. When I went to Italy, I went to cafe, and I ordered a coffee. The assistant kept on chatting to another assistant while she was making coffee and put it on the table. She was rude! In Japan, I have never had such a experience.

Hi Fumie,
☆☆☆Belated happy birthday☆☆☆

Hi trmr,
You are going to the UK?　Have a nice trip!

Amica

•  Amica
• 2011年9月28日 10:55

Hi trmr,

I made a typo, it's not "a feb time" but "a fab time." I am really sorry.

bye for now.
amo

•  amo
• 2011年9月28日 12:48

Hi, there

Here is the difference I noticed between China and Japan.

In Japan, people seldom talk to someone they don't know. For example, in a train or a bus, we are very quiet looking downward or through the window not to catch someone's eyes.
But in China ( I was in Shang-Hai), they talk freely to a stranger. They join the conversasion around them even if they totally don't know the speakers.

I like the Chinese way, because sometimes I feel lonely when I am walking alone.

Here is another difference I noticed between UK and Japan.
In UK, when people caught my eyes, they smiled at me! In Japan, we just look away when we happen to catch someone's eyes.

I liked the way they smiled, so I have been trying to smile at him or her when I catch someone's eyes since I got back to Japan.

•  panda
• 2011年9月28日 13:05

Hi Fumie

Happy birthday！！
I hope you have a lovely time：）

Nao

•  Nao
• 2011年9月28日 13:20

Hi David and everyone,

I'm Green.
I'm writing my comment for the first time in a long time.
Do you remember me?
Sometimes I check this blog, but I've hegitated to write comments.
I'd like to be a member of your blog again.
また、宜しくお願い致します。

About this topic,
I've never lived in a foreign country.
I believe that UK is the gentlest country in the world.
I was surprised to hear the second thing.
About 20 years ago,I got subway in London,but
I can't remember the car is clean・・・

Green

•  Green
• 2011年9月28日 13:48

Hi David and everyone,

David,OK, I see your point.
>she didn't bother to check.
As you mentioned, it is true that there are some people(or most people?) don't check behind them every time they go through a door to see whether anyone is following them.
I usually do it, and I think it's a kind of the manners out of pure mind.

Anyway, I'm going to Canada tomorrow for a week, so I'd like to see if people there bother to check or not!

I'm going to be away from here for a week, so I can't say thank you for your feedback this weekend. I'd like to read them when I get back to Nagoya.

Hi trmr,
You are going to a honeymoon, aren't you?
Hope you have a great time there with you lovely wife.

Hi Nao and Green,
Long time no see!
Green, of course I remember you^^) Glad to see both of your comments here again.

Hi Amica,
Opera!? That sounds amazing! Good luck.

See you next weekend,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2011年9月28日 15:30

Hi Anne,

Going to Canada? Sounds great;) Hope you will have a wonderful time there!!

amo

•  amo
• 2011年9月28日 19:42

Hi Anne
Are you going to Canada？
Wow！Lucky you！
I love Canada, too.
Have a nice trip andhave lots of smoked salmon and maple syrup!

Hi Nao
Long time no see!
Are you going to Taipei this weekend for Koichi's BPM concert？

Green

•  Green
• 2011年9月28日 21:19

Hi amo, Nao and Amica,

Thank you so much for the birthday messages! It's a great feeling that being congraturated by you even though I got 1 year older. :-D

Hi Amica,

Best wishes for an opera!　オペラに出るんですね。すご～い！

Hi Green,

Glad to hear from you again. Hope to see your comment again.

Hi Nao,

I'm glad to hear that you enjoy your current job.

Fumie

•  Fumie
• 2011年9月28日 21:42

Hi David and everyone.
I went to on a tour of Europe in bigining of September for ten days with my friend. I went to Germany Switzerland France and England. It was very busy trip. So I felt something with the same as David.
The first one (weather) When we visited to Mont Saint Michel in France and to Windsor Castle in the UK. In the morning It was warm and nice waether but in the afternoon, all of sudden it started raining quite heavly. But it wasn't so long and stopped in an hour. After the raining it has changed to nice weather agin. Some one told me it's a typical weather in here ha ha ha .

The second one(dirty) We took a TGV from Switzerland to France. It called as high speed train. But it was not high speed and very diety. We were surprised when we looked it. Perhaps it had not been cleaned for a month or so and the window-panes were not clear. We seated a carriage with a toilet also our place were next to the door. the toilet was very smelly so when someone through the door we were caught by the bad smell all the way. It was a bad experience.

The third one(check behind) I always try to check my behind when I go through a door and tell my daughter to try it. These are just in my opinions.

Hi Fumie "Happy Birthday"
I hope you have a nive time!!!

•  Katherine
• 2011年9月28日 22:40

Hi Fumie,

> First is Japanese bathing. Soaking in a bathtub to release stress rather than just a shower to get clean.

I agree with you, and I'd like to add Washlet to Japanese terrific things. I always miss Washlet while traveling overseas. The bathrooms are not equipped with Washlet even in five star hotels.

Hi Panda,

> I liked the way they smiled, so I have been trying to smile at him or her when I catch someone's eyes since I got back to Japan.

I bet they'll look at you perplexed instead of smiling back at you.

Hi Anne,

Have a great trip!

Ash

•  匿名
• 2011年9月29日 06:33

Hi David and everyone,

I was able to connect the net last night but it had a slow connection, so I gave up writing. Eventually I have to think of getting a new pc.
So I don't think I can write a comment about the topic this week. Anyway I enjoyed reading others thoughts. Thank you.

Have a nice day,
amo

•  amo
• 2011年9月29日 08:17

Hi Anne

Thank you for your comment.
I'm happy to get your comment：）
You are going to Canada?Sounds great!
I envy you!

Hi Green

Long time no see!!!
I'm happy to read your comment:)

I really want to go to the concert,but I can't take a day off:/
To my surprise,my new co-worker have played baseball with Koichi when he was young.
I'm happy to hear Koichi's story from him.
Are you going to the concert?

Nao

•  Nao
• 2011年9月29日 09:04

Hi Fumie,

How are you!
Belated happy birthday!
Many Happy returns!
Did you get any birthday presents from your sons?

Hi Nao,

Really?Really?
Wow,you're so lucky!!!
Please tell me about Koichi's childfood that you heard from your new co-worker!
Is he (or she)from Ashiya?
I've heard Koichi played short.
Is it right?

I can't go to not only Taipei this weekend, but also Hakata next next new year for "SHOCK".
I really wanted to go, too....
Have you see 『「5分でわかるEndless SHOCK」』on
Johnny's net?
It's very nice!

Hi Anne,

Are you in the airport or in the plane already?

Green

•  Green
• 2011年9月29日 12:50

Hi Green

My co-worker lived in the same apartment that Koichi lived in.
As you said,he was in Ashiya.He told me that Koichi played baseball very well and Koichi got a lot of chocolates on Valentain's day.
I heard the story that Koichi was nice and his father was nice,too:)

I haven't seen 『5分でわかるEndless SHOCK』.I'll check!ThanksHi Green

My co-worker lived in the same apartment that Koichi lived in.
As you said,he was in Ashiya.He told me that Koichi played baseball very well and Koichi got a lot of chocolates on Valentain's day.
I heard the story that Koichi was nice and his father was nice,too:)

I haven't seen 『5分でわかるEndless SHOCK』.I'll check!Thanks

Nao

•  Nao
• 2011年9月29日 16:24

Hi David and everyone,

To know differences of each country is always interesting to me.

Regarding the first one(weather), I was really fed up with the humid and hot weather this summer in Japan.
But my friend who moved to Paris one year ago was really depressed with this summer in Paris because it had been cloudy every day. She missed the sun so much, and at last she returned to Japan temporaliry. She said she was happy to meet the sun despite of hot weather.
It's lucky for us to enjoy sunny days, isn't it?

About the fourth thing, I think it's true that shop assistants in Japan sometimes seem to be hard to talk to.
When I've been to States, I was surprised at being addressed by shop attendants like friends. I liked the way.
It's also good thing to talk with strangers in the elevator or buses etc. in other countries.

As I'm not used to expressing my thoughts in English, it took long time to write this posting.
But I think this is really a good way to learn English.
I will try to keep posting.

Nao.b

•  匿名
• 2011年9月29日 17:10

Hi Nao

Thank you for Koichi's information.
I heard Koichi's father is tall and a member of life office.Please tell me more and more some day.

Actually I was in 帝国劇場 to see 「Endless SHOCK」 on March 11th.
I felt the earthquake on the seat with many his fans and the cast.
It became rare performance.
Oh.sorry.
I can't stop talking about him!
Have you subscribe to 「K album」?

Green

•  Green
• 2011年9月29日 20:12

Hi Catherine and Green,

Thank you for the birthday messages.
Green, I didn't get any presents from anyone because I said to my family "Don't bother to buy me present. I will buy a pair of diet sneakers."
Have you heard about them? I don't buy them yet but I saw the ad and it says 履くだけでエクササイズ。

Fumie

•  Fumie
• 2011年9月29日 21:27

Hi David and everyone,

Sorry for my late post.

Fumie, belated "Happy Birthday to you!!" I'm looking forward to your report about how you will succeed on a diet by wearing those diet sneakers.

Nao and Green, welcome back. Nice to hear again both of you talking lively.

As for the topic, let me share my experience on my trip quite long ago. I sometimes flew back home by myself from Singapore and packed a lot of Japanese food in suitcases on a return plane. I'm too short to put my hand luggage into the overhead compartment easily, so I usually ask nearby flight attendant for a help. If I couldn't get any, I tried it myself. Once, there was a tour group of Japanese middle aged men around me. They were looking at me struggliing with it but never gave me their hands, and even laughed and said, "wow, what a heavy luggage!" A South East Asian guy helped me then. This kind of things happened to me not only once but a few times, and always other Asian guy gave me a hand. I wished those tour group Japanese guys had been taught helping others in trouble would be most welcome. They would have kindly helped me naturally and casually.

One more thing that I strongly want to say is that Japanese kids should be much more strictly taught that listening to others speaking is very very important as they are little. As you know, many politicians never listened to and kept interrupting Noda's first speech as a prime minister at the Japanese parliament. I really felt those politicians needed to be taught again about that.

•  tsuneko
• 2011年9月30日 01:51

Let me add one more thing related the topic. I sometimes happen to see some cashiers talking to small kids in polite way or 敬語. That's a bit strange to me. Bye for now.

•  tsuneko
• 2011年9月30日 10:49

Hi Fumie,

I searched the diet sneakers on the internet.
They look like normal sneakers at first sight but they have some special quarity in sole, don't they?
I think I have to walk more everyday and train my body!

Hi tuneko,

Thank you for your message!
How are you?
I saw 「ことばの広場3丁目」HP.
You're nice teacher so your students are so lucky I think.

Green

•  Green
• 2011年9月30日 13:07

Sorry I made a mistake.
tsuneko is right.
Not tuneko.
I'm sorry.

Green

•  Green
• 2011年9月30日 13:14

Hi David and everyone,

I was out whole week, so I will post here with short comment.

When I was in NZ, I really miss bathing in Japan ;d
Temperture in Southland was low and cold from autumn to winter. I always had a quite quick shower to avoid coldness.

Good point that I thought of was, say hello as you pass through from someone's backward.後ろから追い抜くとき、ハローと声をかけて追い抜いていきました。
I also found that a men came from forward,say hello as he pass through.
I thought it was a case that I was a "woman"
( to get to know women that you will not hurt you)

I wanted to write more ,but not enough time this week. What a shame!

Hi Fumie,

Belated Happy Birthday!
Oh, my birthday seems as same as you ^^

Hi Anne,

Have a nice trip ^^

noriko

•  noriko
• 2011年9月30日 13:39

I found an inappropriate expression on my last comment,so will correct ;d

>to get to know women that you will not hurt you
→to let women know that you will not hurt her

noriko

•  noriko
• 2011年9月30日 14:18

Hi, everyone.
I made mistake of my nickname. I wrote before Catherine but it's Katherine.

Hi, Fumie thank you for your coment.

Hi, Trmr
Have a nice trip!!!

•  Katherine
• 2011年9月30日 15:47

Sorry, I've been really busy today. I'll do the feedback tomorrow.

Bye for now.

•  David
• 2011年9月30日 22:02

Hi David,

Don't worry about that. Take your time!! I'll be busy this weekend, too.

Hi Green,

Thanks for dropping by there. To be honest, I'd like to hide that, so could you please make it "shhhhh..." (^_^;

Goodnight moon, goodnight everyone!!

•  tsuneko
• 2011年10月 1日 00:02

Hi everyone
Thank you for your comments! I'm glad!
I am just going to honeymoon.
I will be back few weeks after.

>Nao
It's very nice that you enjoy your current job :-)

bye!

trmr

•  trmr
• 2011年10月 1日 05:37

Hi trmr
Have a nice honemoom!

Green

•  Green
• 2011年10月 1日 07:06

This is the second time of post.Last month I traveled Europa(Holland,Belgium,German,and Austria) by bicycle.During the trip ,I noticed some difference between Japan and Europa.
First point is the price of food and drink. I felt the price of food(beer,bread,cheese,ham,and snack) is almost half of that of Japan.I wonder why Europa can sell food much cheaper although high percentage of consumption tax is included in the price.
The second point is the quality of service. I felt Europa is lacking the spirit of service. For example,toilets isn't free,water is not free in restaurants ,and plastic bag isn't free and we have to put items to buy on the conveyor in supermarkets.
Third point is the percentage of the people who can speak English.In Japan, most people(including me) would be embarrassed or even ignore them if foreigner should speak to them in English.But in Europa most people can speak English and hear eagerly my very very broken English.I think the problem is not in the wrong way of English-education in Japan but in the lack of the opportunity to talk to a English-speaker in Japan.

•  fuijawa
• 2011年10月10日 19:43

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•  Sidney Butala
• 2011年10月22日 23:48

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•  abercrombie fitch
• 2011年11月16日 12:25