Quirky Differences

Japan is very similar, yet very different from the US.  One of the first things that Brad and I noticed when we got here is that everyone wears face masks. Yes, those surgical face masks that they ask you to wear at the doctor's office if you're coughing too much. I asked Chris about it and apparently part of the reason they wear it is to keep their faces warm when its cold outside. But then you still see people wearing them when its warmer out and indoors. I can see why people would wear them on the train, if their afraid of germs, but otherwise....I guess I just don't see the appeal. Maybe that will be my next invention...designer face masks instead of the ugly white ones. :)

       Here are some of the face masks available to buy at the store.

Secondly, Japan has awesome vending machines. Pretty much on every street corner (even in the neighborhoods) they have vending machines serving cold and HOT beverages. Yes, you can go out and get a hot bottled coffee down the street in the morning if you want. Mind you it is not Starbucks (they have those here too), but it is delicious and oh so convenient. I hardly ever get a beverage from a vending machine back home because its such a rip off but hey 120 yen for a 6 oz drink--yes please!

That is another thing. The serving sizes are much smaller here. When we go out to a restaurant you are served a glass of tea or water about a third of the size of what you get at a restaurant at home. And since servers only come to the table when you wave them over, they are never refilled. This has definitely been something to get used too. Also, we need to go invest in some handkerchiefs because restaurants typically do not have napkins on hand. This is not good especially when you're trying to get used to using chopsticks on such tricky things as noodles.  Plus, I'm trying to reverse everything my parents taught me about table manners because it is almost considered rude if you don't slurp your noodles. I was surprised how hard this was for me to do considering I had no problem ignoring my Dad's "keep your elbows off the table!" during my childhood. (I love you Dad!)

I'm also excited for my first car ride here. The driver's seat is on the right and they drive on the left side of the road. Brad and I have had an interesting time avoiding running into people at busy times during the day because we're so used to walking on the right when its opposite here.

Everyone here has been so friendly though. Like Brad posted before, we were able to meet some of Chris's students and definitely had a fun experience comparing the different cultures and practicing English and Japanese alike. Brad and I are looking forward to going out and exploring some new places in the upcoming days. We also have a couple interview set up for this weekend and early next week so wish us well! We'll keep you updated!

K