Japanese for everyone- Lesson 3
"KARUCHAA SHOKKU! "
Or as we would pronounce it in English,
CULTURE SHOCK!
We've dedicated this lesson to culture shock as it will be the first thing you realize when you step off the plane in Japan.
Most Japanese people study English for a minimum of 6 years during middle school and high school. After that, most will even take another 2 years in college. This however does not necessarily guarantee that they can speak it! When entering an English conversation school, the average person will start at an upper beginner level.
What's my point? Most people actually can understand what you are basically saying if you speak slowly, they may not be able to carry on a conversation with you, but they can help you get what you are looking for in most cases.
Also, most important signs in Japan are written in both Japanese AND English, so you will have little trouble finding a restroom or your stop on the train. If you are planning a trip to Japan, it would be wiser to prepare yourself for the cultural differences than to try to learn the whole language for a short trip!
文化
That said, let's get into some bunka (culture). I've put together a list of the TOP 10 things you will want to be aware of when you get to Japan, here they are:
I. Take your shoes off!
Whenever you enter someone's house you MUST take off your shoes! You will feel uncomfortable doing it at first, but you'll get used to it. Actually, when Japanese go to America and walk into a house, they hesitate to walk in with shoes on.
Reason being? Most houses or apartments have "tatami" floors. These are kinds of mats made out of woven straw, which coincedentaly smells like grass when new. It actually feels nice to sit on tatami in the summer, rather than carpet, which gets warm in the sun. You will not see much carpet while you are in Japan as a lot of floors are going to be wood in the kitchen and tatami in the rooms.
Shoes would damage the tatami (which isn't cheap) and make the floors dirty.
There will be a small area just inside the front door to leave your shoes when you come in. Usually, there will be a small assortment of slippers for you to choose from also (don't expect your feet to fit!).
HINT: Bring your nice socks and change them daily!
II. Where'd the toilet go?!
Ah, the toilet, everyone needs one, but the thought of holding it until you get back to the States might cross your mind a few times if you are staying less than 2 weeks!
Why? Traditional Japanese toilets are nothing more than a porcelain hole in the ground! Old houses might have the inside-Out house (as I like to call it.) These are like what you might find when camping, except without the seat. Newer houses have "western style toilets" which are like what you might have in your house (at least in the USA). However, in general, hotels, restaurants and other public buildings will supply you with a Japanese toilet a bit more modern than the above mentioned "hole in the ground." It's comparable to a urinal turned on it's side and set into the floor. At least it flushes though!
HINT: Find a handicap toilet as they will always have seats!
III. No showers / Scalding baths!
The Japanese usually do not take a shower in the morning before going to work. Don't get me wrong, they do clean themselves.....
Traditionally, would take a hot (literally steaming) bath, at about 6 pm. Now it's not as simple as it sounds. You must not enter the bath if you are not already clean! First, you sit outside the bath, soap up get nice and clean, rinse off and finally, if all the required steps have been followed, you may enter the bath tub.
WHY? The water must remain clean as all members of the household will use the same bath water as a means of conserving water and energy (to heat the tub after every bath would get costly by the end of the month.)
Speaking of the tub, you might realize that it is nothing like the ones you are used to. They are twice as deep and half as long!
Reason being? Well, first Japanese have smaller bodies. Also the living space is smaller. The rest remains a mystery.
I refused to take a bath- MUST have my shower every morning! - when I first got here. However after a while of everyone telling my I've got to try a Japanese bath, I finally gave in. They were right! It feels so relaxing to just soak in a hot bath for about 5 minutes after a long day's work. Though you WILL have doubts, when offered, take the bath!
HINT: Your host will take pleasure in preparing a bath for you. Enjoy it!
