Is It Hard To Adapt To Living In Japan?
For people who are not natives, the thought of living in Japan and learning a totally new culture is exciting. Many foreign born people go to this country in order to work or to study. The number of people moving there has been increasing with every passing year and the Japanese people have had to deal with this influx of new culture as well.
Living in a different country can be a challenge for anyone, so realizing that the Japanese are very particular about their customs and correct manners is very important. As a foreigner it is important that you become familiar with the basic rules of Japanese society. While many Japanese will cut a foreigner some slack on incorrect etiquette, if one performs something that is extremely disrespectful, then it might not be overlooked. Additionally, it is in your best interest as well to learn a little bit about the rules of a country that you are visiting or planning to live in.
An example of a Japanese culture difference involves entering a home. In Japan it is expected that outside shoes will be removed. The host then provides slippers for the guests to wear. Many people are aware of this Japanese custom; however, there are other shoe etiquette customs that are required in Japan that are not as widely known. For example, another Japanese society custom requires that any room with a tatami floor is to only be stepped on with socks or bare feet. Additionally, there are special slippers that are to be worn exclusively in the bathroom.
Indeed, it does take a lot of research and time to know all of the customs of a country. It would be impossible for you to know everything about Japanese etiquette before visiting the country. It is important to try and learn some of the basic customs so that you do not offend anybody accidentally. For anybody who decides that living in Japan is what they want to do, as time goes by it will become easier to learn more about how things should be done and what is expected. Some things might not be so different from what you are used to in your own culture. For instance, in America it is considered bad manners to blow your nose at a table when you are dining out. This is true in Japanese restaurants as well.
Living in Japan for people who are not native to the country can be quite a challenge. To move to a country with a culture that is totally different than your own will be a challenge that will be exciting and interesting as well. Many westerners are making the trek to Japan for work and school, so Japanese culture will not seem as unfamiliar as time goes on.