I am an American and have been living in Japan a few years. I sometimes get sick of Japan and long for life back in America. I visited my family and stayed in a major American city a couple weeks ago. I had always considered moving back there one day, but being there made me decide against it and reminded me of how good we have it in Japan. Here are the things I dislike about America:
1) People are so loud.
2) In the cities, everything looks grimy and dirty.
3) I constantly had to worry about my safety and be aware of my surroundings.
4) Lack of public transportation.
5) Lack of understanding about life outside of America. I sometimes think Japanese people are ignorant, but Americans are actually way worse despite living in such a diverse country.
6) Lack of sophistication. People dress like slobs or wear obnoxiously bright colors. No subtlety.
7) Some people are friendly, but a lot of people are actually rude. If a restaurant employee is having a bad day, you’ll know it because they will look and act annoyed.
Has anyone else experienced this? I feel pretty assured at this point that I would like to stay in Japan long term.
EDIT: Forgot to mention the crazy conservatives and Trumpism.
6 comments
I get it. We live in America now because my trade isn’t exactly something that can be outsourced to other countries and our standard of living is better than what it would be if we lived in Japan (spacious house, multiple cars, money to visit Japan, big grill and stove, big dog, etc). The cons of life in America are outweighed by the benefits, currently. If my security clearance got yoinked and my career torpedoed though, we’d seriously consider moving back because life in private sector America boils down to: 1.) good money/no life outside work or 2.) poor as fuck service-related fields. I’d be bored in Japan but would much rather be bored than poor again, having grown up poor.
I feel this. I’m not from the US, but I recently visited home after quite a few years. At first I was happy because everyone is so friendly and outgoing, but forgot how dirty and expensive everything is. Just little things like being able to use public restrooms almost anywhere in Japan is amazing.
Those disgusting Americans and their bright clothing
America bad
100% to all of these. I do wish people in the US were on average more considerate and less confrontational. (… and healthier. You know what I mean. I’m not talking about being a little overweight.) I think this is typical once you’ve experienced life in a different country; it’s hard not to compare and see the negatives. Of course, the negatives of life in Japan are well documented at this point. It’s dispiriting to be sure.
Yea, when I go home to Kentucky it’s fun but I immediately re-realize how good Japan is.