I tell of my day-to-day experiences in a funky Japanese town from my American viewpoint. This blog could also be called 'Bizarro World', 'Notes From Kyushu, a Smaller Island', or 'Teaching English in Japan: Smash Your Ego in 10 Easy Lessons."
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6 comments:
Hi.
I am in a group called Youth In Action, a non profit organization who helps rase money for students to go to Japan. Every two years, the founder of this group takes 10-20 kids to Japan to stay in different cities for a month, and learn about the Japanese culture. I am going to be coming to Japan this June, and I am very excited, but also have some questions about different things to get me prepared for my trip.
Here are my main questions:
-What other things should I do to get myself prepared to go to a foriegn country? (I know the language fairly well, enough to get myself around)
-Since I am staying for a month, what are certain things I should bring for my trip?
-What are some common courtesys that I should know about before I go to Japan?
-I am staying with two different host families on my trip, and I was wondering what the sleeping arrangements will be. Can they be different?
I'm sure I'll think of more questions soon, but I really enjoy your blog.
Thanks.
-Taylor
1) In Japan are you a day ahead of the USA? And what's the time difference?
2) In the USA millions of households have pets: usually dogs or cats. Tell us about pets popular in Japan.
3) Do the Japanese shop at malls like those in the USA?
4) Have you been to a store in Japan that specializes in classical instruments and sheet music?
5) Is TV as popular in Japan as in the USA?
BigBadBob
Hi Taylor, thanks for introducing yourself and the program you'll be doing. I thought about the questions you asked, and I came up with a few answers as best I could. Please ask more questions if they should arise.
"What other things...?"
Well, it's great that you know some of the language. That ought to give you a good head start to enjoying yourself while you are here.
What kind of research have you been doing to prepare already? Also, what are you hoping to get out of your trip? Is there something specific you are interested to study or try? Do you have a good guidebook for the area where you'll stay?
"Since I am staying for a month...?"
I recommend mosquito repellent, some photos of your family, friends, and house. People may be especially curious to see your house, because Western-style homes look very different from most Japanese-style homes. Bring some small gifts for your host families and people you will meet. The best gifts are individually-packaged food items and local gift items from your town or city. Don't worry about spending a lot; giving small gifts without a great significance is the custom here. I'll let you know if I think of other things.
"What are some common courtesies...?"
People are expected to show respect and good manners here. If you don't know what the particular etiquette is at some point, see how much you can observe before asking about it. Also, first impressions are valued very much here, so if you can manage to wear neat-looking clothes and practice energetically saying, 'Hello!,' those practices should serve you well too. I'm not sure what you know and don't know already. There's an in-depth book that deals with courtesy. It's called 'Etiquette Guide to Japan,' by Boye De Mente, if you have a lot of questions about it.
"I am staying...Can they be different?"
Do you mean actual sleeping arrangements? As far as I know, there are two arrangements, the bed and the futon. The bed is just like our bed, but the futon usually folds up and goes in the closet during the day. Have you learn about bathing in Japan? If not, please ask me or try to find out somehow.
Good luck and keep in mind that taking a trip itself can be stressful. Before you go, I hope you'll get yourself in as good condition as possible to deal with the new changes for your body and mind!
Something else or something I should expand on?
Hi BBB-How are you tearing up the music these days? My best to you. Anyway, here goes...:
1.) Yes, Japan is ahead of the U.S. It's about 6PM on Tuesday here now, and I note that it is 4AM on Tuesday on the east coast of the U.S., 2AM Mountain time, and what, around 11PM or midnight Monday on the west coast. Please note that Japan does not observe Daylight Savings Time, so how far ahead we are does change from time to time!! :)
2.) I like the beetles(rhino beetles?) They are sold in shops and at stands outdoors. Small boys seem to adore them. They even have a video game where you and your friend's 3-D beetles can fight each other.
Oh, and by the way, cats and dogs here speak Japanese fluently--it's a real sight!!
3.) Yes, the people here shop in malls like in the U.S., but in a Bizarro World kind of way. The styles are very different, the ad signs feature unfamiliar Japanese movie and TV stars, and you can't find a women's shoe above size 8.
4.) I haven't found any amazing music stores yet. There's a small one here in Tamana, and a little bit bigger one in the city--nothing like what I'd heard might be here, but remember that I'm far from Tokyo or Osaka.
5.) TV is very popular. I think Japanese actually watch more TV per day than Americans, if that is possible. There are a lot of these strange variety shows, with well-known personalities going on weird adventures or doing science experiments. There are a lot of corny dramas. And everyone seems happy or cute, or happy and cute.
Come to think of it, most people I meet seem happy or cute. Or at least well-dressed.
Hi Julie - Could you talk about how young children are taught good behavior, and how they're disciplined if they misbehave. What would be considered a bad offense that would warrant considerable action? Are there different criteria for boys and girls? - Aunt Cheryl
Hi Aunt Cheryl,
Those are some great question you've asked. From my observations, young children learn good behavior from watching their parents, learning from their teachers, and from society. If the children have well-mannered, trustworthy role models all around them, it's not much of a surprise if they don't act up much or seek attention constantly.
That's a sort of tough answer, because it means that so much of behavior is relient on the environment of the child, and often in America, we don't know what kinds of behaviors children might be getting exposed to. But my observations here tell me that the children basically learn to do what people around them do.
As far as discipline goes, I think that basic rules are laid out simply, and if a student/child disobeys, it's seen more of "Oh, so and so didn't understand the rule, and the reasons for that rule" rather than, "So and so did something bad and should be punished."
But if that student continues to break a rule, they will be punished, most often by another teacher or a disciplinarian whom can strike fear through their spine. Rarely does the classroom teacher discipline his or her own student. I think they might see that as against the harmony they are trying to build within the class.
I think the teachers are generally very lenient towards discipline here. But if a kid does something serious, like bully another kid, the consequences are severe, like at-home suspension and conferences with the parents. There's not much warning or middle ground.
If the students are caught majorly goofing off during cleaning time, they might get yelled at for 15 minutes with long pauses during which they can reflect on the consequences of their action, a sort of 'what kind of example are you setting,' as opposed to 'why are you misbehaving again--you are so bad' sort of lecture. More and more, I think discipline here is plain old militaristic--but it works!!
Different criteria for boys and girls? Well, I don't think so. If anything, the girls get a stricter punishment, perhaps because misbehavior isn't very becoming of a lady, a premise that would probably not work in the U.S.
Your questions are interesting. I recommend 'The Japanese Educational Challenge: A Commitment to Children,' (possibly out-of-print) by Merry White. It talks directly about the answers to your questions, and it is very well-written and researched.
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