Oh, The Differences
When we came back to the States we knew that the differences between the U.S. and Japan would be numerous and obvious, but some have been rather funny. For instance, when we were shopping at Kohl’s the other day.
Aaron was just looking for a few pairs of pants and I decided to wander off to find the toilet. I went to customer service, thinking it would be faster just to ask where it was, rather than wandering through the huge big-box store myself trying to find it.
“Excuse me, where is the toilet,” I asked.
“It’s in the bathroom,” said the completely unhelpful customer service person.
“Thanks a lot. And where might the bathroom be,” I inquired, clearly a little frustrated.
“Oh, it’s right around the corner.”
And so I went, off around the corner in search of the bathroom (or toilet). Now I know, people don’t usually walk around asking for toilets around here, but come on! The lady at the counter clearly knew what I wanted and yet she gave me a completely off-base first answer. It, in many ways, feels like I am back in Japan, standing at the counter and asking for a “fried potato” (what they call french fry) only to have the employee stare back at me, dumbfounded. As soon as I repeat myself and say, “furaido potato,” they get this instant look of understanding and I am immediately given what I have asked for.
This being back in America stuff, it’s kinda weird.