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Shocking

November 1, 2007 on 12:14 am | In Other, Society | | Email This Post

I had a conversation with another American who has been in Japan for a while about the things that always shock us when we go back to the States. I’ve listed my top three below.

1. The air-conditioning inside public buildings is set way, way cold.

I don’t know what it is, but I’m sure that “indoors” in the States is much colder than “indoors” in Japan. It could be that the insulation in Japanese buildings is much worse, or maybe they’re just trying to save energy… I don’t know, but back in the States it is so cold indoors that I’ll bring long sleeves into malls even in the dead of summer!

2. The drink sizes are giant. Some stores don’t even have a “small” size anymore.

“Big Gulps” make me laugh. I guess we need them in the States because we spend so much time in the car. It wouldn’t be fun to be on a road trip with only Japanese-sized (wimpy small) drinks!

3. The people are giant. I’m not just talking about overweight, but about height as well.

I’m only medium sized. When my wife tells other Japanese people about me, one of the things they usually say when they meet me for the first time is, “Wow I was imaging someone so much bigger!” Or, “Wow, you’re short!” Don’t get me wrong, in Japan I’m average sized. So when I go back to the States, most people tower over me… Makes me feel like I’m in a land of giants.

Now I know how Hirohito felt when MacAurther came over huh?

Does anyone here get a shock every time they fly back home? Let me know what kind of things you notice in the comments!

- Harvey

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Your third point is why I would fit in great. I may be blonde and blue, but I’m short enough that only the people immediately around me would be able to notice anyway

Comment by JCD — November 1, 2007 #
I agree about the aircon thing. I would prefer to always have my windows open with fresh air (but you know this) but in Japan I was miserable in the heat because inside it was only a couple of degrees cooler than outside and so stuffy! Here on the eve of November it is down into the 40’s (F) at night and still I have windows open! Thank goodness for cats to keep me warm!

Comment by Kitty — November 1, 2007 #
The biggest shock for me when I go home is the service at 7-11 and other convenience stores. Over here it’s all bows, clean uniforms and polite language. Back home most 7-11 employees don’t really care about their jobs and they might not even say a word to you.

Comment by Thomas — November 1, 2007 #
In Spain, everybody shouts! And you hear mobiles phones in buses, trains and so.
I feel the same about the height… In Japan I was average, in Spain I’m soooooo short xD

Comment by スロ — November 1, 2007 #
Isn’t there just a simple lack of insulation in most residential construction? Ha ha. The last time I went home these three things were definitely on the list. The most jarring thing, however, was the way I suddenly perceived restaurant folk or people in the food services to be insanely rude and intrusive. Ha ha ha. I’ve been spoiled, I guess.

Comment by Deas — November 1, 2007 #
Whoa! Gravatar! Excellent!

Comment by Deas — November 1, 2007 #
I don’t notice people being taller, but I do notice them being wider. Much wider. Much, MUCH wider.

The convenience store thing resonates with me too, as well as fast food restaurants. I wonder how much the 0 yen smile would cost at a McDonalds in Chicago?

Comment by Godzilla — November 1, 2007 #
I can’t believe I forgot the customer service aspect!

Last time I went back, I was shopping at Walmart, and the cash register lady DROPPED my purchase off the counter onto the floor after she bagged it. Not only that, but I was the one who picked it up!

She didn’t even mention exchanging the stuff that was inside. She didn’t even say sorry, just “oops! It slipped right off there didn’t it!”

In Japan, I’m sure I would have gotten a rushed “oh so sorry are you okay!? is your package okay!? shall I exchange it?! Oh I’m so sorry there is no excuse for that (taihen moushiwakearimasen!)”

Even if it’s manual politeness, you sure get used to it!

Comment by Harvey — November 1, 2007 #
definetely agree on the drink sizes. “small” in the states is usually as big as our (norway) large.

Comment by Jasper Wiese — November 1, 2007 #
If that had been a Ginza department store, there would be no point in speculating on the reaction of the staff. It wouldn’t have happened. Period.

Comment by Godzilla — November 1, 2007 #
We noticed how rude people are back home when they use their mobile phones in crowded places.

Comment by Clive — November 1, 2007 #
I haven’t been to Japan in a few years but I notice rudeness in America everyday. I love (read: hate) the people that feel the need to put their cells on speaker while in public places. They hold the phone in front of their face and yap away, while the voice of the other person is broadcast for everyone to hear. “I’m so important! Everyone listen to my inane conversation about getting wasted!” Ah, America. A beacon for the world.

Comment by Adam — November 2, 2007 #
Hrm. Maybe it’s cause I’m in Osaka… But there are people talking loudly on their cell phones on the trains all the time.

No on speaker… thank goodness, but yeah they’ll yap away. I haven’t been in the US for any significant length of time recently so maybe I just haven’t noticed.

One thing I -did- notice about cell phones in the US when I went back, was that it seems everyone is Robocop now with those Bluetooth headsets in their ear!

I wonder why that technology hasn’t caught on in Japan… Maybe cause it’s dorky looking?

Hrm… Or, more seriously, it’s probably because the need to be “hands free” isn’t as great here… I guess. People can ride bicycles with one hand and hold an umbrella, a cell phone is no prob. Also, we don’t need to drive as much here.

Anyway.

Wow what a lot of comments!

Comment by harvey — November 2, 2007 #
Speaker phone is the bane of my existance in Iraq even. I think it’s just a common thread to humanity Cell phones are crazy over here. Their house may be blown up, but they’ll have five cell phones that are ridiculously high tech.

Comment by JCD — November 2, 2007 #
The transportation system here in the US sucks. Trains take a very long time to arrive, and they are not as clean as the JR.
Hong Kong’s is even more efficient, but I would prefer either one over the ones in the Washington, D.C. area.

Cashiers and restaurant staff in the US are not as polite as the ones you’ll find in Japan. I miss being greeted w/いらいしゃいまっせ！

The food in the US is very fattening as well. The vending machines in Japan have lots of variety and delicious drinks, where as here in the US, all we have is soda, and 7-11 is not appetizing.

Also, things are not as efficient and well thought out here in the US. One thing that comes to mind is the airport security. (No disrespect meant towards anyone working in US airports though.) For instance, at Narita airport, you put your stuff in a tray that has a number on the bottom of it, and you get a paper with that number. That way, you only get your tray and not someone else’s. If they did that here in the US, you would have less thefts. My friend lost his wedding ring because someone walked off w/the contents of his tray.

Fashion!! In the US, most people do not dress very fashionable, save for places like LA or maybe NYC? But on average, people throw on a t-shirt and flip flops in the summer,and they think it’s cool. But compare that to what you find in Shibuya, and they look like bums. Fashion in the US seems so conservative to what you’ll find in Japan.

Comment by Ken — November 2, 2007 #
Yeah, the ear piece thing is super stupid. When I see those people I always think, “Operators are standing by!” And my friend says (in robot voice), “I am a cybernetic organism!” When you see them on the street, they look like crazy people talking to themselves.

Comment by Adam — November 4, 2007 #
Oh, Harvey, I didn’t get into Kyoto Gaidai. There was only one spot and it went to someone else. I was, however, accpted to Oita Daigaku, for their international program. Not as language-intensive (some English lecture classes) but hey, it’s still Japan. Thanks for your help and encouragement back when I was applying. ^_^

Comment by Adam — November 4, 2007 #
Hey Adam! I’m sure you’ll have an excellent time in Oita! It’s easy for a gaijin to get an opportunity to live in Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, a little less Kyoto… But even harder to get a chance to live in Oita. You’ll be able to visit Beppu onsen repeatedly! Fukuoka, which is nearby, is one of my favorite cities to visit in Japan. Super hard to find work there though… Enjoy it!

Is this for the monbusho research student scholarship?

Comment by harvey — November 4, 2007 #
No, it’s an exchange program with San Francisco State University, with other students coming from all over the world as well. The classes I take will count towards my graduation at SF State. Really looking forward to it, and the Beppu closeness! I’ll check out Fukuoka too. I intend to make the most of my stay on Kyushu, in case I don’t get back there after relocating to Japan after graduation. Thanks again!

Comment by Adam — November 5, 2007 #
Sounds great Adam! I think it’s actually better for you to be in Oita now, rather than Tokyo, Nagoya, Oosaka, even Kyoto. Unless during your year in Oita you meet some random companies that want to hire you after graduation… Chances of you going back to Oita to live after graduating, as you said, are pretty slim! You’re more likely to end up in Tokyo (which happens to be the 4th most livable city, so it ain’t all that bad!)

Looking forward to following your adventures on your blog!

Comment by harvey — November 5, 2007 #
Actually, cities in Kyushu are experiencing greater job growth than Tokyo due to the lower costs of labor and living. A lot of Japanese companeis are moving their cost centers out there as an alternative to countries like China and India where the Japanese ability is lacking. It’s happening more in places like Miyazaki than Oita right now, though I imagine they are actively courting more business activity as well.

Comment by Joe — November 12, 2007 #
hmm, seeing that i live in asia, i don’t think if i go there i’d be surprised that much about the heights-thing.. though i think the japanese are taller than me (i’m about 5″3 -_-)

and like the drink/meals sizes thing.. yeah, same thing as here in malaysia i guess. one time i saw this foreigner guy buying a burger set at mcd, and upon seeing the small portion, he ordered another on the spot. the look on his face = priceless. XD

ARGH I WANNA GO TO JAPAN. i have plans t work there for about a year as a teacher, maybe later in my late 20’s. gotten a lot of discouragements from ppl, but for the experience and the heck of it, why not yah? =D

how long have you lived there anyway?

Comment by Zaty — November 12, 2007 #
Hello Harvey, nice post.. now I know more about the US.
Hey Adam, an instant after I read your first comment I knew it was you..

I’m not from the States, but I hope I can give some comments..
At first I didn’t really like living in Japan, the food is really different (from Indonesia) and I couldn’t speak Japanese. It can be frustratingly hard to do anything by yourself without Japanese comprehension. (Transfer at the bank for instance)

But now as I get used to the language and culture, I guess I’m gonna miss the good things of living in Japan (most of it is service and politeness).

PS: I haven’t visited the “land of giants” yet. Hope to go someday. Cheers. ^^

Comment by Randy — August 1, 2008 #

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