Many apartments in Japan are
small, poorly insulated and lack central heating. To keep warm during winter,
the Japanese have invented the kotatsu, a low, heated table covered with a
blanket. What you do is you sit on the floor and dive under the blanket so that
your lower body and toes stay toasty under the table. Some people even sleep
under the kotatsu.
2. You will realize that if
you’re on time, you’re late.
If your boss tells you that work
starts at 8, you’d better be at your desk fifteen minutes early. Rolling in
when the clock strikes 8 is considered late. Also, don’t even think about
leaving the office on time. In the Japanese workplace, it’s the norm to stay
after hours. If you do leave on time, remember to say, “Osakini shitsurei
shimasu!” which means “Excuse me for leaving early.”
3. You’ll start a collection of
slip-on shoes.
In Japan, it’s customary to take
off your shoes in the genkan or entryway before entering homes, temples,
shrines and even schools. You’ll realize that shoe laces and buckles just make
the process awkward. Also, you’ll learn that wearing clean socks with no holes
is the key to avoiding funky feet embarrassment. Slip-on shoes will become your
go-to shoes and you’ll never go back.
4. The konbini will become
your one-stop shop.
The convenience store is one
business Japan has perfected. They can be found almost everywhere and are open
24/7. At the konbini, you can buy almost anything: drinks, snacks,
cigarettes, alcohol, even pantyhose, and umbrellas! Need a hot meal on the go?
The staff will gladly heat your food in the microwave. You can also buy concert
tickets, pay for online shopping, make copies, post packages and settle your
bills at the counter.
5. You’ll start noticing that
almost everything is kawaii.
The Japanese marketing industry
is saturated with cute and colorful mascots that promote everything from
toothpaste to toilet paper. Even prefectures, cities, and towns have their own
cuddly mascots and since 2010, there’s been a national competition called the
Yuru-Kyara Grand Prix where the public votes for its favorite mascot.
6. You’ll get accustomed to
people bowing all the time.
In Japan, bowing is serious
business. Everyone bows. Students bow before entering the staff room. Shop
attendants bow and yell “Irrashaimase!” every time a customer enters a
store. Even the cashier bows when you pay for your shopping. It’s so contagious
that you’ll start bowing when someone opens the door for you or thanks you for
doing a good job.
7. You’ll get serious bang envy.
Almost all the women have
perfect, precision cut bangs. It’s the number one haircut for Japanese females
of all ages. It looks kawaii on little girls, gives young women that
“innocent yet sexy” look, and hides wrinkled foreheads on older ladies.
8. You’ll get used to people
staring at you all the time.
Because Japan is generally an ethnically
homogenous nation, if you don’t have Japanese features, you will definitely
stick out. This can be good and bad. Some people may seem afraid of you. Others
may shout “Herro/Hello!” at you and run away. However, in general, once people
get to know you, they’ll stop staring and actually try to have a conversation.
9. You won’t miss your driver
license.
The buses and trains frequently
run on time and almost everyone, even children, ride “granny bicycles” in the
countryside and in the big cities. Not only does riding keep the Japanese
people fit but it also helps to reduce their carbon footprint on the planet.
10. You’ll wear a mask when you
get sick.
When it’s flu season, the
sterilized masks come out. In Japan, it’s never weird to see several people wearing
masks on the train, in the workplace or at school. The first time you put one
on you feel ridiculous, but you soon get over it.
No comments:
Post a Comment