I personally wants to share my personal experience with friends who is living in foreign place right now esp to Jerame who is in Japan.
Jerame is a American and obviously he gonna face difficulties to adapt to Asian culture especially japan with so much do and dont’s. As for me as an Asian I have so much do and dont’s that I find it difficult to adapt to the open policy in America. When I first came to the states, plp thought I was dumb coz’ I dont talk much. I dont talk about family or relationship or bedroom affair but the American likes to talk abt it wether at work or at school or at social place. They have this open policy to talk abt everything. This amazed me at the same time made me feel uneasy esp to know the private life’s of other plp. Even the strangers always talk to me where by in my country my mum used to taught me not to talk to strangers. People r bold and honest , they say what they think. Sometimes I get flatter when I was compliment by strangers but at the same time I felt uneasy as I dont talk to strangers a lot. As time goes by, I began to like this open policy coz it is good to have a non-judgemental and honest society.
Besides the open policy , American work policy is different too. They tend to follow all the rules and regulations where by in my country the efficiency of work is more important. For example I didn’t know that everything has to be schedule wether to go to clinic or to the salon. I am used to the walk in policy in my country. One time I was so sick that I went to see the doc at the clinic, besides the long wait , I have to buy my own medication at pharmacy with the prescription by the doc. In my country I m used to see the doc and get my medication at the same time. Therefore i doubt the efficiency of work here.
When I m down, I got pissed and angry , one time I was about to pack my stuff to return home as I dont think I can understand the American anymore. Lol. Well that was a year ago and now to know I m leaving soon, it break my heart to say goodbye to my beautiful friends here.
So to my friend Jerame , I understand how u struggle to fit into the japan culture . At this time u just need to stay strong and take this journey as to learn and adapt . Somehow if u have decided to return home, I am happy for u coz’ there is no where in the world is better than home.
~Life is not so bad if you have plenty of luck, a good physique and not too much imagination. ~ lol.
Crystal,
Wow! Thank you so much. I saw that you had a new post on your site and started reading. I so surprised to read my name. Thank you for caring about my difficulties here in Japan. I really appreciate your support. I got a little misty eyed reading it. You’re the best!
I totally understand the frustration of the differences between appointments and non-appointment situations. I guess since I’m used to the American style it doesn’t bother me, but I can understand how it might seem pretty silly to make an appointment, show up and still have to wait 30mins, then have to go to another place to get a prescription and wait another 30 – 60 mins for them to fill it.
I still haven’t decided what I’ll do about leaving or staying here. I’ll make that decision in the next couple months. I can’t stay forever, but I might stay for another year. I know my family is ready to have me back, as I’m sure that your family misses you.
Thanks again for the encouraging post. You are a good friend and I appreciate your support. Keep the posts coming. Have a great week.
Jerame Clough
-Next Gen Politics
u are welcome Jerame. I truly understand how u felt and hope things get better for u.