ESL 21B 1383

Essay 1.2

July 6, 2007

    Japan is an island and has a long history, so the culture is very different from America's. Japanese are based on this culture, but it might be difficult toPreposition Americans because it is very typical Japanese style. If Americans visit to Japan, they have to remember three differences such things as value, communication style and concept of time to adjust more easily and avoid intercultural conflicts and misunderstandings.    

The first difference is a valueVague. Americans usually {***}MissingWconfidence in themselves and have their own opinions. On the other hand, Japanese are modest atPreposition themselves and do not insist {***}MissingWtheir own opinions. For example, Japanese parents usually introduce their kids as "our stupid kids" to people even if the kids are very smart, and parents love them so much. As one more example, Japanese students usually tell people that they never prepared for the exam even if they studied hard and got a good grade on it. This custom is a kind of lie, but Japanese think that to be modest is beautiful habit. ItSpl people proud of themselves as Americans usually do, then Japanese think they are rude and strange. Because of this, Americans have to be modest atPreposition themselves when they visit to Japan.

    The second difference is a communication style. Americans usually talk to people friendlyAwkward, and make gestures while they have conversation with people. In Japan, people can never have the same communication style as Americans do. Japanese must use the polite words{1} when they talk to people except friends and family, and also {***}MissingWcan not make gestures. If people move any parts of their bodies while they talk to others, they make them uncomfortable. Japanese can never move their bodies except for bows. It is very important habit to make bows in Japan, so people usually make a lot of bows while they have conversation with people. It might be difficult to Americans because they do not make bows normally, and it is a natural habit to make gestures to them. Because of this, Americans have to speak in polite Japanese, and do not have to make gestures except bows when they visit to Japan.

    The third difference is a concept of time. Japanese and Americans have almost same thinking at time. They think time is very important, and they try to be on time at everything. However, Japanese hasS/VAgreement one difference of concept of time from Americans. The difference is making appointment in everywhere{2}. Americans usually make appointments to see doctors or have dinner at restaurant because they do not want to wait for a long time, and also want to save their timesCount/Non-Count. On the other hand, Japanese usually do not make appointments at all, so people have to wait in a long line in the hospitals and restaurants. It wastes time, but Japanese do not care about it because they think it is matter of course to be in a line. Because of this, American will not be able to make any appointments in everywhereWChoice, and have to beVTense in a line when they visit to Japan.

    In conclusion, Japanese culture is very different such as these value, communication style and concept of time from American's. Japanese culture is more narrow and strict at people than American's. American's is more freely and friendly to people, so Americans might feel stiffness at Japanese culture. Even if they do not want to be along with Japanese culture, they have to follow it when they visit to Japan.