First of all, I take baths every day, as a daily practice. Since I don't have a credit card, pay with cash is essential, along with an Octopus card (digital payment card, not a credit card). Sometimes everyone would hold hand up when crossing the street, if the crossings don't have traffic lights, which we need to look left and right at the same time. I would bow when traveling to Japan sometimes. My mom likes sweet potato, but never tried persimmon (it looks like a tomato, nice catch, Miss Charlotte 🍅). I remembered some females in Japan did covered their mouths when eating, as they need to be neat and tidy. However, I would definitely not leave any of my personal items unattended in public, stealing is getting increased, from being insecure...
I am a Japanese national living in eastern Canada. True that up until recently (and until I watched this upload) that I did not become aware that Japan was cash-basis. Every time I go to a supermarket, they ask me how I will pay (debit or credit), and they seem to get mildly surprised to be informed that I will be paying in cash. My grandparents' house in Aichi had Kaki trees, and I remember eating Kaki's off the trees when I was a kid. Kaki (persimmons) are delicious and nostalgic to me. Happy December to you and your family!
Greeting from Okinawa! I've lived here in Okinawa for almost 5 years. The one habit I did often in California is greeting people by waving at them, which is our standard greeting. That's not the standard greeting here, but my neighbors all smile at me when I do it. The other thing is people are much more curtious while driving here. We let other drivers pass, leave room so other drivers can enter from driveways onto streets, etc. Sometimes I think back at how we drive in California, we should adopt a culture where we treat each other with respect. Take care.
I was back in Japan for a visit and many places nowadays take cards. Since COVID, I prefer using a card since cash is dirty. Again, I stopped shaking hands. Although it’s awkward, when people put the hand out, I politely decline and bow instead. People seem to be okay with that. Surprised to hear about persimmon. I see persimmon trees everywhere here…and I don’t like them.
Yes it’s true more places take cards now than fifteen years ago when I first came to Japan. Still, I see many more people paying with cash. Maybe it depends on the area. Certainly in big cities like Tokyo, it’s much more common.
Hi Chako, According to the Statista website 2020 data, the leading concerns regarding the cashless payments in Japan, are “fear of leakage or improper use of personal information,” “fear of credit cards etc. being lost or stolen,” “fear of being unaware of the amount of money spent and spending even more,” etc. These completely agree with my assessment of the overall sentiments of Japan as a society where it places the utmost importance in the trust, reliability, consistency, prudence in personal finances, patience etc. over the convenience, speed of transactions, ease of credit, instant gratification etc. The trend of buy now and pay later, is far less popular in Japan than it is here in the US. I would even venture out to say that this sentiment of instant gratification is frowned upon in Japan. Note that this is my personal opinion, and I don’t have any scientific data to back it up. At any rate, very interesting subject. Sorry about going off on a tangent again, Shin from Colorado
Yes I absolutely agree with you. Imagine if the majority of people around the world were more “cautious” with their money and how it was used, I think we’d see a very different world…
If this is a rude question, I apologize first, but I wonder if you take a bath with your kids like Japanese parents? I heard that in the US, it is considered uncommon for parents to take a bath with their kids.😊
No, I don’t consider it rude! I sometimes will with the younger kids, who don’t care, especially when we go to the sento or onsen, but my older son goes by himself. It was his choice and I respect that. You are correct, I think most Americans would consider bathing with their children to be morally wrong. It’s a very different culture and way of thinking over there.
AI advised that asking such a question could be rude, so I was a bit worried. Thanks for answering my question. I have a daughter and I used to take a bath with her when she was a child. We often practiced the multiplication table in the bath. It was a really good memory. Have a happy time with your kids!!😊@@Chakochan-MylifeinJapan
Although the humidity in Japan's climate is uncomfortable, it is effective in maintaining women's skin.Dry weather is comfortable, but it also accelerates the aging of your skin.Of course, I think taking a bath or going to a hot spring is good for your health.If you drink alcohol while eating Japanese persimmons, you won't feel uncomfortable the next day even if you drink a lot.
Oh that’s interesting. I think I have heard that about persimmons and alcohol. I don’t drink much these days, but if the occasion ever were to arise, I’d like to remember that one!
Humidity protects forests in Japan. 90%of the land is forest, if it were dry, fire would happen and lose beautiful forest. Since I noticed the fact, I appreciate the climate.
I often hear this from other people that our voices or personalities tend to change when speaking another language. It’s very possible though I don’t notice it.
