Fun facts about Japan!

What's the difference between Japan and America?

Shopping, Cars, and Banking!

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Living in Japan is strange and wonderful at the same time. When I first came to Japan as a Career Search Consultant for people who want to live and work in Japan - I freaked out!

When foreigners arrive in Japan for the first time, they can not understand what they see, hear, or why the Japanese do what they do. I have noted a few examples of what I mean:

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Shopping:

When you buy more than one item at any store in Japan, what you will get is the unique packing of everything into many separate plastic bags with ribbons around them. It takes five to seven minutes for the clerk to package everything you bought into separate bags. Then, they put everything in one big bag.

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Banking:

Did you know that in Japan, ATMs actually have opening times and closing times. Isn't the main point of an ATM, that it is a machine that works 24 hours a day 7 days a week?

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Automobiles:

When you pull into a gas station in Japan, between five and seven guys will run to your car and give you the full service treatment. Remember back in the 1950's when full service was the norm? Well, self service is not the norm in Japan! Be ready to be pampered!

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Saying I am sorry!

In your travel around Japan, you will hear I am sorry at least a hundred times a day. Not for the normal things, just anything will get an I am sorry. Sorry about that....

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What's your hobby?

Ask any girl in Tokyo, Japan - and at least 99 percent will say her hobby is shopping. Yes, life revolves around shopping in Japan. Sometimes I think that the only thing that keeps this country going are the Shibuya Girls shopping at 109 everyday buying ten bags of the latest fashions from France and America!

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Well, this is only for your information, and as we all know - culture is to be understood and not laughed at. We value our Japanese hosts in Japan, and love the traditions and flavors of all that Nippon has to offer us foreigners!

I do, love Japan!