Anyone else experiencing culture shock in their own country after being in Japan?

32 comments

1. That’s not quite an example of culture shock, that’s you using Japanese in a country that doesn’t use Japanese.

   Also, when you visit your own country, that’d be called reverse culture shock.

   Like when you see the size of drinks in your home country after being used to getting smaller-sized drinks in Japan.

2. Easy answer is stop saying はい and 大丈夫 then. The Japanese tourists don’t say it so i don’t know why you do

3. Yeah. The last time we went to England, the fucking vending machine at the railway station stole my money. And the train was filthy.

4. Yes, I get culture shock hard whenever I’m back in the U.S. Like the second I walk into the airport after landing it hits me how different it is. Just the way people carry themselves in public is so different.

5. In California I was high key stressed any time I drove on the highway and restaurant noise was deafening. Also, it was hard not to notice how big of an asshole people were over arbitrary shit.

6. Came back to my home country and all i could think about was how much more polite Japanese people were. you get used to it when your in japan but when your back home you become thankful for how polite they were.

7. I expect culture shock for people not wearing masks indoors, but also a positive culture shock finally seeing guys wash their hands with soap

8. I was in Turkey and the UK earlier this year. Not (reverse) culture shock but I was surprised at how quiet my voice had gotten after living in Japan. Regained my old volume in a few days but when I came back to Japan I reverted

9. The biggest culture shock I always experience is that in my mind “home” stays still, it’s a snapshot of when I left. In reality it’s constantly changing just like everywhere else is, but unlike the day-to-day change that everyone else there experienced that change as you experience it all at once.

10. I remember going to stores and the bank, and having people behind the counter make eye contact and using actual greetings, not spouting out set phrases… I was taken aback. They were interacting like people.

    For the most part, I like not interacting with strangers, and appreciate that I’m very anonymous in Japan, but too much of one thing becomes tiring, and I appreciate the warmth I can feel in daily life when visiting home.

11. Haven’t been back since pandemic but It is going to be shocking to see the crowds, all the filth and traffic jams.

12. not sure what you said OP falls as culture shock. That’s just your brain not being able to differentiate when to use english vs japanese. I’ve never had that before whenever I visit the US lol.

13. On my first trip back home (USA) after a year in Japan, I kinda missed the “irasshaimase” when entering a store.

14. The mundane guy is back at it again

15. I feel you I need to stop BOWING TO CARS I look like such a nerd

16. Went to California & Texas in April – it was nice seeing people not wear masks anyore or worry about covid and just go about their lives.
    Also, it was nice having actual greetings by people outside and just random conversations with strangers.
    The size portions for food was much bigger in the US.
    The faster speed limits when driving.
    Being in a bigger home and the bigger grocery stores.
    Better patio & rooftop bars.
    Also, the free use of ganja.
    Lots of cool differences back home that I miss.

17. Went back to NZ in March, shocked by:

    How impolite people were.

    How poorly dressed people were.

    How many people were grossly overweight.

    How loud everyone was.

    How inefficient services were.

    Lots of good things to but definitely shocked after two years away.

18. Oh, Reverse Culture Shock.

    It hit me harder than my initial culture shock when I first came to Japan.

    Not having access to good public transportation and having to drive everywhere was one of many things I found weird after going back home for a bit.

19. Stop asking for plastic bags in any country.

20. Reverse culture shock everytime I go back

    People break the rules more

    People drive like they own the road to themselves

    People are more flexible for customized requests

    People are warmer, seem happier

    Inefficiency of government

21. Mmm I don’t think I’ve ever randomly said Japanese in an entirely English conversation, but I do keep mannerisms and stuff pretty compartmentalized (I don’t usually bow when speaking English, for example). For me what I have trouble with is usually just like. Staff of places constantly asking me “how are you?” And stuff cause it feels weird. Also when I first go back my brain, which is used to tuning into random English conversations happening across the room because it goes “hey! Native language!!!” Is suddenly trying to tune into every conversation around me. It improves over time but the first couple days it makes being in restaurants or cafes with a friend tough cause I have trouble focusing on our conversation.

22. Stop using plastic bags

23. I hate going back home and spending half the trip in a car. Everything and everyone is so far away. That depends on where you’re from though.

    I love the the big stores aisles, wide open spaces and lush green growing things everywhere.

    It’s always great to see family and while social media keeps us all up to date on goings-on it can be a shock seeing everyone together but *differe*nt and feeling the odd-one-out in your own family.

24. Yeah not reverse culture shock but I said すみません ALL THE TIME. Tipping sulfite took a bit getting used to again. But even still, I absolutely despise it.

25. I am expecting rude drivers and having to learn how to cross the road at the traffic light again.

    FYI. Thailand is my home country.

26. Yes. It’s called reverse culture shock. Many times. It’s been a while since I’ve been in the old country, so I expect it will be strong next time.

27. Keep Bowing you will be fine

28. Everytime I go back to the UK. Deliveries showing up on time, and with fast and easy redeliveries. Service from shop staff. Rubbish on streets. Multiple types of potato.

29. My reverse culture shock was the bathrooms in the Dallas airport.

30. When i went back to The Netherlands in 2019, I saw people toss their cigarette butts on the streets and I was STUNNED for a solid 10 seconds before realizing I was (unfortunately) the odd one out for thinking “ちょっと…灰皿ゴミ箱はそこにあるだろ！” lmao

31. It’s a bit of a shock going back… everything seems rough and half broken and a bit dirty… but after a couple of days I get used to it and kind of even like things to be half broken.

    The beer and food tastes great so that is the main thing.

32. Keep the garbage and bring it back to home, instead of throwing it to garbage bin on the road.