There are many differences between countries, and we have various tools available to learn about them. For instance, searching for information online about common American foods can provide us with a plethora of articles. Although I believed I had researched cultural differences between the United States and Japan before I move, I still encountered unexpected situations. Today, I will share some of these expericences.
Table of Contents
- Things that I knew before moving to America
- Things that I first learned after coming to America
- Summary
Things that I knew before moving to America
First, I would like to share some of the things I was already aware of before moving to the United States. These things are quite common knowledge for Japanese people, and in reality, there are no significant differences.
Size of Foods
In Japan, it is commonly observed that the portion sizes of a single dish in the United States are considerably larger than those in Japan. When you watch a Japanese TV show featuring the differences between America and Japan, you first see this topic.
In my experience, whenever I order a platter or a combo in the US, the portion size is usually twice as large as that of a single dish in Japan. As a result, I often opt for take-out service and bring the meal to my apartment. Then, I divide the meal into two portions and consume them at different times. Additionally, in supermarkets, drinks are sold by the gallon in the US, while in Japan, water bottles are typically sold in 2 liters or 0.5 gallons, which is about half the size of those in the United States.
Communication Style
In Japan, communication tends to be indirect and implicit, with an emphasis on reading between the lines and avoiding confrontation. In contrast, Americans tend to communicate more directly and assertively, with an emphasis on speaking one’s mind and being open about one’s feelings.
When I take a walk around the park, children often approach me out of curiosity, despite their parents’ intentions. These interactions create a relaxed atmosphere, and I usually respond with a smile without saying anything. On one occasion, an American man who was sitting next to me started a conversation with the parents of the child. The conversation lasted for about one or two minutes, and then the family said goodbye to the man and left.
On another occasion, while eating a slice of pizza in New York, a man in his early twenties struck up a conversation with me and introduced himself. He mentioned that he had just moved to New York from a rural area two weeks prior.
In Japan, it is not uncommon for an elderly person to engage in conversation with you, but it is less common for a young person to initiate a conversation in a public space.
Multicultural Society
The United States is a multicultural society with a diverse population, consisting of people from various ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds.
One thing that may surprise Japanese people is the scenery on trains in New York. There are usually many people of different ethnicities riding the train, with various clothing styles that reflect their cultural backgrounds. In Japan, the majority of people are Asian, and during rush hour, almost everyone wears a suit, making it difficult to differentiate between individuals.
Things that I first learned after coming to America
Food Taste
I believe that Japanese people take pride in their gourmet food culture, as evidenced by the many articles and rankings that celebrate the quality of Japanese cuisine. In contrast, American food culture is often associated with fast food and burgers. However, during my travels in the US, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the diverse range of cuisines available, representing different cultures from around the world.
What struck me as particularly unique was that many of these restaurants served their dishes in their authentic form, without catering to American tastes. In Japan, while there are plenty of international cuisine options available, they are often adjusted to suit Japanese palates. In the US, however, foreign cuisine is served in its original form. While some dishes may not suit everyone’s taste, the excitement of experiencing the authentic flavors was truly exceptional.
Interaction with Servers in Restaurants
In Japan, it is common for customers to call for a server when they are ready to place an order, as servers are not allocated to specific tables. In contrast, in the US, servers are typically assigned to specific tables and remain available to serve throughout the meal. While I was aware of this difference, I didn’t realize that calling the server too frequently was not considered appropriate.
For example, during my meal, I mistakenly placed an order with a server who was not assigned to my table, and later stopped another server who was serving another customer to request additional items. Finally, I even raised my voice to get the attention of my server when I needed the bill. Looking back, I can see how my behavior may have confused the server and other customers, as it was not in line with the typical expectations for restaurant service in the US.
Tipping Etiquette
Unlike Japan, the United States has a tipping culture where it’s customary to leave a tip for waiters when dining out. The usual amount is around 20% of the total bill as of 2023. This is common knowledge even in Japan for those planning to travel to America. However, the tipping etiquette varies depending on the situation. For instance, when using a to-go or take-out service, tipping is not necessary. Initially, I used to pay 20% of the total price as a tip even for a to-go order. This was because the cash register asked for the tip amount when paying by credit card. Although I had the option to skip tipping, the screen’s center suggested tipping between 18-22%, and the “skip” button was barely visible in the bottom right corner. It was so small that I hesitated to choose it.
clothing Color
Before coming to the US, I had the impression that Americans prefer light-colored clothing such as yellow, blue, and other bright shades. Therefore, I intentionally packed light-colored clothes for my trip. However, when I arrived, I noticed that most people were wearing darker colors like black, gray, and brown. I’m not exactly sure why this is the case, but I suspect that light-colored clothing may be seen as somewhat childish since children often wear bright colors.
Harmony in diversity
It’s a common saying that American culture is like a “melting pot” or a “salad bowl,” which means it’s a diverse mix of people from various ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. Although I was familiar with this metaphor before moving to the US, I misunderstood its true meaning. As I began to compare different regions, I noticed distinct differences in the predominant ethnic groups. For example, some areas consist primarily of Hispanic populations, while in other areas, Asians make up the majority. At first, I assumed that there was a similar ethnic composition everywhere and that every area shared a multicultural makeup.
Politeness
Japanese people are often proud of their politeness, which is sometimes described as “omotenashi.” However, it is not necessarily true that other countries are not polite. When I came to the US, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of service in restaurants. The servers greeted me warmly and took care of me throughout my meal, with each server adding their unique touch to the service. This was different from Japan, where it is common to provide customers with the same level of service, and even within chain restaurants, the service is usually consistent.
Work Culture
When I was in Japan, I used to believe that Japanese people were workaholics, as it is often said that we tend to work overnight and Americans usually come back home at regular times. However, I came to realize that this is not entirely true. Some American workers are also workaholics, and I’ve seen colleagues work overnight and even resume work from home after coming back from the office. Interestingly, Japan has 16 national holidays compared to the 11 days in America, and Japanese companies provide 20 paid holidays to employees while American companies provide 10 days. So, when you sum up the total working hours, you may realize that the total time worked in the United States may actually be longer than in Japan.
Punctuality of Trains
When you come to Japan, you will often hear that Japanese trains are very punctual. I used to watch a Japanese TV show that introduced the Shinkansen (bullet train) as so punctual that they keep to their schedule in seconds unit. However, commuter trains are not always as punctual, and in rural areas, the time intervals between trains are so wide that punctuality is not as important. In America, trains may not be as punctual as the Shinkansen, but they are similar to commuter trains in terms of punctuality. Nonetheless, it is important to note that the United States is a car culture.
Summary
About a month has passed since my arrival in the US from Japan. I believed I had sufficient prior knowledge of America and did not expect to be surprised, but I have encountered several things that I never imagined in Japan. It was a shock to me, but also refreshing and fascinating. I am enjoying my American experience and look forward to discovering even more enjoyable things.
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