If I was looking for a gentle transition into American living, this is not the place. Everything is so crowded and busy and bustling here. But, not necessarily in a bad way.
The day I left Japan, I didn't really mind too much, and I don't miss it yet, because I was ready for a change. Well I got my wish! Things are definitely different, but not in the way I expected.
The first thing I thought I would want were noise cancelling headphones, because I thought understanding everything people said would become irritating and that general noise would make me annoyed. So far, not a problem at all really. It's really quiet in the neighborhood Leah lives, and when people do chatter it's at reasonable volumes and background noise hasn't bothered me either.
That's been a big surprise and also a big plus!
One of the things I need to get under control are food portion planning at restaurants. In restaurants where I used to live, unless I got a course set for lunch or dinner, I would usually order 3-4 things off the menu for two people. Not necessary here! 1 thing off the menu is PLENTY for two people. Goodness gracious. So so so so so much food. I have been in serious pain every time we go out because we over-order and I don't want to waste food (and it hasn't been convenient to get leftover boxes because we are always running around)
Another thing that I expected that turned out to be totally true is the huge impact smartphone culture has made. I have to pull out every conversational trick in the book to hold someone's attention long enough to finish a thought, sometimes even a sentence! I understand people are busy and have business to attend to, but it's just generally sad for society that speaking face to face is a dying art. On the other hand, maybe it will improve my conversation skills because I will have to try harder to be funny/interesting/engaging. I'm not referring to speaking to strangers, I'm talking about talking to people I already know who are trying to "have a conversation" with me. I don't take it personally, but I definitely try harder than I did talking to people in Japan, where the slightest conversation about weather will hold someone's full attention. Of course there are smart phone addicts in Japan and that's fine too, just generally speaking.
My sister has been a good host and we are making the best of sharing a studio apartment for the week. I told one of my Japanese friends who lives in Osaka how much she pays for rent and he was blown away. Said it was more than the banking district in Ginza, which is one of the ritziest districts in Tokyo. Of course I enjoy cultural centers, but I am really happy to be moving to Washington where rent is reasonable.
Living without a phone and not knowing where I am 98 percent of the time is pretty difficult, but I am getting used to it. After all, how many times in life am I going to be truly lost, especially in this age. So I guess I'm just going with it and the anxiety is fading away.
I went to a supermarket for the first time today, that was probably the biggest culture shock thing so far. towers and towers and towers of food. Just incredible. And you know they wont be sold before the expiration date. So much food waste in America for no reason.
Anyways, things are going well and should calm down soon enough!
The day I left Japan, I didn't really mind too much, and I don't miss it yet, because I was ready for a change. Well I got my wish! Things are definitely different, but not in the way I expected.
The first thing I thought I would want were noise cancelling headphones, because I thought understanding everything people said would become irritating and that general noise would make me annoyed. So far, not a problem at all really. It's really quiet in the neighborhood Leah lives, and when people do chatter it's at reasonable volumes and background noise hasn't bothered me either.
That's been a big surprise and also a big plus!
One of the things I need to get under control are food portion planning at restaurants. In restaurants where I used to live, unless I got a course set for lunch or dinner, I would usually order 3-4 things off the menu for two people. Not necessary here! 1 thing off the menu is PLENTY for two people. Goodness gracious. So so so so so much food. I have been in serious pain every time we go out because we over-order and I don't want to waste food (and it hasn't been convenient to get leftover boxes because we are always running around)
Another thing that I expected that turned out to be totally true is the huge impact smartphone culture has made. I have to pull out every conversational trick in the book to hold someone's attention long enough to finish a thought, sometimes even a sentence! I understand people are busy and have business to attend to, but it's just generally sad for society that speaking face to face is a dying art. On the other hand, maybe it will improve my conversation skills because I will have to try harder to be funny/interesting/engaging. I'm not referring to speaking to strangers, I'm talking about talking to people I already know who are trying to "have a conversation" with me. I don't take it personally, but I definitely try harder than I did talking to people in Japan, where the slightest conversation about weather will hold someone's full attention. Of course there are smart phone addicts in Japan and that's fine too, just generally speaking.
My sister has been a good host and we are making the best of sharing a studio apartment for the week. I told one of my Japanese friends who lives in Osaka how much she pays for rent and he was blown away. Said it was more than the banking district in Ginza, which is one of the ritziest districts in Tokyo. Of course I enjoy cultural centers, but I am really happy to be moving to Washington where rent is reasonable.
Living without a phone and not knowing where I am 98 percent of the time is pretty difficult, but I am getting used to it. After all, how many times in life am I going to be truly lost, especially in this age. So I guess I'm just going with it and the anxiety is fading away.
I went to a supermarket for the first time today, that was probably the biggest culture shock thing so far. towers and towers and towers of food. Just incredible. And you know they wont be sold before the expiration date. So much food waste in America for no reason.
Anyways, things are going well and should calm down soon enough!
