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Sasebo, Japan Texas
Ethnocentricity and Culture Shock |
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For your overseas tour to be enjoyable and
productive, an adjustment to a different way of life is necessary. Some people have more difficulty with this adjustment
than others, often because they have a hard time setting aside cultural bias. Two things may stand in your way as you
try to settle in: one you may bring with you, the other may be waiting here for you when you arrive. They are,
respectively, ethnocentricity and culture shock.
Ethnocentricity
- A "culture" is a set of beliefs that a group of
people accepts as true. Empirical facts are generally not a part of culture, but are cross-cultural; e.g.
two rocks plus one rock equals three rocks, no matter where you live or what you're calling the rocks. But whether rocks
should be collected, worshipped or used as money may differ from place to place based on culture. Culture, then, is
based almost solely on beliefs and habits, which cannot be objectively judged as either right or wrong, just simply
different.
- The belief that one's own culture is right and other cultures are
wrong is called ethnocentricity. This can create insurmountable barriers to your understanding and
enjoyment of Japanese culture, and subsequently your tour in Japan.
- Japanese expect you to be different, and they respect the fact
that Americans have their own way of doing things. This two-way understanding is possible only if there is mutual
respect and understanding. It is important to remember that you cannot make a foreign country conform to your own
culture.
Culture Shock
- Most people begin an overseas tour with the best of
intentions: to learn the language, meet the people, and enjoy the new and exciting environment. However, once the novelty
of this new situation wears off, a person might feel emotionally let down and begin to blame everything that goes wrong
on Japan or the Japanese. The first few weeks can be overwhelming. The unfamiliar train system, looking for a new home,
enrolling children in school, the mountain of forms and paperwork, and living in a hotel can cause anyone to question
their decision to come here. You may find yourself relying too heavily on your fellow Americans and wishing you were
back home. This reaction is called culture shock.
- The key is not to try to do too much too fast. You will have
plenty of time to get acquainted with Japan after you have established a comfort zone.
- Don't let the little hassles involved in a PCS move be magnified
by your new surroundings. During your first few days, spend most of your time with your family or, if single, with
your sponsor, getting to know the base itself. You will find that inside the gate, it's almost like being in
the U.S.
- Once you have recovered from the jet lag, got your bearings and
become comfortable with the base, it's time to grab an "old salt" -- probably your sponsor -- and start exploring
Japan. Having an experienced host -- a mentor, if you will -- will help you feel safe and comfortable while
enjoying your first experience of Japanese culture.
- During the early months, keep in mind that a willingness to learn,
an even temper, a good sense of humor and a positive attitude will usually help you adapt to the new environment. And
here's something that applies to any base in any part of the world: if you hang around with people who hate it here,
you will begin to hate it here, too. If you find yourself getting into a rut, seek out one of the many Americans who
enjoys it here and see what he or she is doing to make their tour enjoyable. Eventually, you may make Japanese friends,
and then you may be introduced to the Japan the locals call home: the restaurants, temples, and experiences that few
foreigners can find on their own.
The Japanese Way
Rude and polite
- A person who has never left his or her own
culture group has probably never had cause to consider why he or she thinks certain things are either rude or polite.
The truth is, etiquette is not based on hard, "one-rock-plus-two-rocks" facts. Aside from religion, etiquette is the
largest component of culture.
- Etiquette is not universal, but is in the eye and ear of the
beholder. Unfortunately, Japanese and American etiquette are usually polar opposites. While this is often a source
of humor for both Americans and Japanese, it may also lead to misunderstandings and hard
feelings.
- Many specifics will be covered when you arrive in Japan and
take the Area Orientation and Intercultural Relations classes. The Japanese very graciously accept a lot of our
"different" behavior because they respect our cultural differences; but it's important for you to return that
respect.
Home Field Advantage
- If you were walking down the sidewalk in your
hometown and a Japanese man on a bicycle came whizzing through the pedestrians and ran into you, think for a moment
what your reaction would be.
- Whether he's from the U.S. or not, if he's going to ride in your
town, he should know better than to do such things, right? Now, imagine as you stood up to brush yourself off,
he actually screams at you!
- "What's the matter with you? Didn't you see me coming? Get out
of the way next time!"
- Clearly, his behavior is inappropriate. He's on your turf, so
to speak. He has to play by your social rules -- especially where traffic safety is concerned!
- Keep this example in mind if you get run over by a bicycle on a
Japanese sidewalk, or get "ignored" by a Japanese waitress or shoved around on a Japanese train. In Japan, pedestrians
move out of the way for bicycles, customers call out loudly for waiters when they want service, and people surrender
their "personal space" when they enter a public place. Responding angrily to any of these situations will only confuse
the locals and make them wonder why Americans are so rude.
- The point is, in traffic, restaurants, shops, etc. the etiquette
and rules are different from one country to another, and "who's right" and "who's wrong" is a cultural judgment call.
All things being equal, the call rightfully goes in favor of the home team. So knowing something about the culture
before you arrive will help you determine if you are being treated rudely, or are simply being treated like a local
and are just not used to it.
Living in Japan
Public Courtesy
While Americans have a "bubble" of personal space around them, the
crowded conditions in Japan usually do not allow the Japanese this luxury. Japanese have an internal "bubble," into which
they escape when commuting and in other crowded situations. When in public, Japanese refrain from loud conversation, use
earphones to listen to personal sound systems, and are very respectful and courteous to others.
Driving
The Japanese drive on the left side of the road, while the
steering wheels are on the right side of the vehicle. While completely opposite of the United States, this difference
is easier to overcome than you would expect.
Currency
Japan is a highly developed country where only Japanese currency,
the Yen, is used for commercial transactions. U.S. Dollars must be exchanged either on base or in a Japanese bank prior
to making any purchases off base.
Shopping
Japan is not a bargaining economy, as are many nations of the
world. Prices shown in stores are the prices you are expected to pay, along with a 5% national sales
tax.
Food
There is a wide variety of international food and restaurants
in Japan, from McDonald's to Thai cuisine. Traditional Japanese dishes are not all rice and raw fish, and are really
quite delicious. Their food is not particularly spicy, and is often flavored with various soy-based sauces. They use
a lot of vegetables, beef, pork, chicken and seafood in their cooking.
Tipping
For the most part, tipping is not expected in Japan. Service
received at restaurants, traditional Japanese inns and hotels, and taxis require no tip. However, tipping is still a
fact of life at on-base dining facilities, base taxis, and at some western-style Japanese hotels you may
visit.
Smoking
While many Japanese smoke, smoking is not permitted on local
trains. Long distance trains have designated smoking cars available. Smoking is permitted in many
restaurants.
Shoes
You are expected to remove your shoes before stepping up from
the entry area into a Japanese home. This custom is also observed in many traditional Japanese restaurants, all
department store dressing rooms, and a few other businesses. No footwear, not even slippers, should be worn on tatami
(rice mat) floors.
Bathing
When using a Japanese bath, do not soap your body in the tub,
or enter the tub with any soap on your body. Wash and rinse your body outside the tub and then submerge your entire
body, up to your neck, in the hot water to soak and relax.
Getting Assistance
While Japanese high school graduates have studied English for six years
in school, and college graduates have studied English for an additional four years, it is still not spoken by a vast majority
of the population. If you are lost or need assistance, you should approach a Japanese, speak clearly and request assistance.
If the person you have approached is unable to understand or help you, they will usually attempt to find someone else who
can.
Japanese Language
- Understanding the Japanese language is probably the
greatest asset to help make your tour fun and rewarding. Nothing flatters people the world over more than the knowledge that a
foreigner has made an attempt to learn their language.
- You need not be a seasoned linguist to be understood. No matter how
fractured your Japanese, the host will be patient and appreciative of your attempts. Often, they will delight in practicing
a few English phrases they have learned with you. However, you will be more successful in any situation - shopping, traveling,
meeting neighbors - if you try to speak Japanese. Although you will usually find someone who speaks English in the larger city
shops and restaurants, those who insist on always seeking out someone who speaks English will continuously feel insecure
and frustrated.
- Japanese language courses are offered to military and DOD personnel and
their family members on U.S. military bases in Japan. The Navy Campus can help you find a course that best suits your
schedule.
- It would be helpful if you bought a small pocket-size Japanese dictionary
before arriving. If you become familiar with some basic words and phrases, the
transition into the local community will be much easier. The ideal situation would be to take some basic formal language
training before you arrive.
America in Japan
- Your tour of duty
in Japan will make you more than an American tourist. You will be a temporary resident of Japan, and as such, a
representative of both America and the U.S. Navy.
- The importance of providing a positive image is obvious. Your
responsibility to help provide such an image extends to your daily interactions with your neighbors, shopkeepers, and Japanese
you may encounter on the street. Most Japanese really enjoy meeting Americans (especially if they can speak Japanese), and are
fascinated with our music, fashion and movies. Your job as a diplomat will be made much easier if you attempt to learn and
understand the language and customs of our hosts. For more information about Japanese culture, check out these
Japan Quick Facts.
- We look forward to welcoming you aboard!
If you have any questions or comments about the information presented
here, please forward them to the
MINDIV Webmaster.
This portion of our website was created with the assistance of the
CNFJ Webmaster. Our many thanks to them! |
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