Two Culture Blues
2002-1-3
Obviously, the gap between two cultures exists, and it cannot be parried as long as it does there. But if you don't step out of your motherland, you won't know what it is indeed.
Just like what was mentioned in the text book, you just are a guest in another country when you enter the gate of the nation. You can stay with them, study with them, work with them, talk with them, but all the feeling you get seems different from what you feel in your hometown, with your classmates or best friends. It seems you and they are walking in each way, just playing the same game.
I have been here for about 10 months. After these days staying here, I think what I should do is to adapt this environment as soon as possible, no matter what I feel about it. But I won't give up my beliefs; just do as what they do formally. Tell the truth, sometimes I really feel lonely and constrained when I am doing something. The feeling of loneliness is not because of the number of people, not because of the distance from my family. When everybody doesn't do as you normally do, then you will feel you are separated and all the feelings were mixed and rush up your heart. For instance, when Chinese have breakfast or dinner, we always gather together, chatting and laughing, because in our opinion, it is the most relaxing time in a day and we are enjoying the gathering. But the Japanese never do that as this is not their habits. I always see the word on the note board in front of the apartment like an order: Don't talk so loudly when you are having dinner!! It is hard for me to tell that who is right, who is wrong, as it is just because of the different culture and habit. Japanese like prefer others don't trouble them and like to pretend their primary affair, sometimes in my opinion, to separate them from others.
Compare to Japanese teacher's lecture, I would really like to have English teacher's lesson, because I won't feel some press, sometimes I even cannot name it out. That's why I chose so many English lectures. The style is... (Not finished) :-(
Last update: 01/18/2004 23:07