How To Get Accustomed To The Japanese Culture.

Traveling to a foreign country can be an exhilarating, yet difficult experience. Relocating to Japan can be particularly difficult for people from Europe and the United States, simply because Japanese culture is so different from that of the west. Rest assured that culture shock is absolutely normal! Getting used to a new culture takes time; however, you can ease the transition by learning more about the culture and the language.

Like any other country, people in Japan have preconceptions about foreigners based on what they see in the media. You may feel like an outsider at first, since people will stare at you when they think you’re not looking, try to practice their English with you, and treat you like you don’t know the first thing about Japanese culture. Learning Japanese will change the way people see you, allowing you to move from “Gaijin” (foreigner) to an interesting person they might want to know and even befriend.

In general, remember to be extremely polite when dealing with people you don’t know. It’s better to be too formal than to be thought of as rude or impolite. Be sure to treat people who are older or higher in status than you with extra care, even if you are good friends with them. Finally, treat every day as a new challenge; throw yourself into the culture, meet new people, and learn to accept your inevitable mistakes as learning experiences.

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