So, I’ve been back from Japan for just over a month now. My last month in Japan was a whirlwind of emotions, thank-you meetings, packing, and preparation for the move back that resulted in my brief hiatus. But I’m back (in both senses) and I think I’m finally getting back into the hang of life in my native country. It sounds weird doesn’t it? One would think that having originated from the US, there would be no major readjustment necessary upon returning. For a while I thought that too, but it is different, and there is readjustment. For those of you out there who have gone through similar things, you can relate I think. For what it’s worth, here are a few of my post-Japan reflections I’d like to share, amusing Japan pics alongside.

I don’t want to say I’ve been experiencing massive culture shock, because I don’t think I have. It’s just some little things that I notice on certain days that make me realize not only cultural difference, but what I’ll call “me” difference. One of the main “me” differences I’ve encountered so far, is that as I’ve talked to people since coming back, strangers who I don’t know, there is a potential for a personal conversation at any given time. In Japan I think no one assumed common ground between themselves and myself, so not often was such conversation possible — it had already been ruled out. Being readily identifiable as a foreigner in Japan, a personal conversation, a conversation where you find out more about a person other than perhaps their favorite color or sport, was rare. It did happen from time to time, but as I say, it was rare. I disliked that intensely for a really long time. God forbid you actually find out something about me! I would often think to myself. But here’s the thing. Now that I’m back, people often do the opposite: they suddenly start a conversation with me, not just at random, but enough to ask a personal question. Where are you headed to? Or a random statement about something that occurred in the vicinity: That was odd… There’s a closeness in the way of speaking, rather than caution or distance, that is taking me some time to readjust to. Neither is better or worse than the other, which is important, but in both situations that awkwardness of difference played into it and made me aware of my complete one-eighty over time.

“Me” differences aside though, I have definitely encountered some cultural differences as well. You might say “You’re from the US — it is your culture, regardless of time spent away,” but I think this is an erroneous assumption. When one lives in another country and encounters a different set of values, you don’t necessarily adopt the other culture or its values, but the encounters serve as opportunities from which one observes cultural difference. These encounters grant awareness of difference. Awareness of difference is what defines “culture”, which is in fact a very subjective and fluid thing. I was born in the US. But it doesn’t define me eternally or unendingly — my everyday actions and interests do that. That I’ve grown up in the US does play a part in my identity and my culture, but there is not a single factor that can define something as complicated as those things.

That’s what I’m getting at.  Despite my identifiable American-ness, I find myself observing cultural differences and finding understanding in where American stereotypes come from. I was on a plane recently and encountered some things that I thought were obvious no-no’s in public. Apparently not! Haha.

Anyway, sitting in my seat, a women wanders along who needs to use the restroom but it’s occupied. So her natural assumption is to lean her rear against my chair for upwards of five minutes. Only after some very obvious flopping about in my seat does she realize that this may not be acceptable for someone sitting in my position. The truly dumbfounding part: despite the fact that most people experience discomfort in these situations, there is still a rampant tendency to ignore the fact that others around you are also struggling in that situation. Another example: a man down the row from me thought it was appropriate to play some of the provided on-board content on his smart phone — WITHOUT HEADPHONES. Again, what makes a person think that this is acceptable, especially in close quarters? What makes someone think, I think everyone in my immediate vicinity wouldn’t mind hearing any or all of the things that I enjoy. His seat partner also did not find it appropriate to ask him to use headphones. As I stated earlier, lots of people are not content with the airplane situation. We all get it. But then again, we don’t. If these people had just exhibited a little knowledge of difference in a public space, a little awareness, it would have been an easier plane ride for me I know, but to expand on that, I think it would be a lot easier for people to go on alongside each other without feeling so wrought against each other. At least, I hope that’s true.

So, it’s been an interesting experience so far. I’m trying to understand some of the juxtaposition that was so obvious to me when I was in another country, but that I’m still encountering similarly on my home turf after returning. What is this tendency toward understanding alongside ignorance? I’ve seen it in both cultures and, as humans, I think we’re doing ourselves wrong. It’s an interesting dynamic to observe and be a part of. From these observations, I want to inject a bit more awareness into my life. That’s my post-Japan reflection for today.