Thursday, September 05, 2013

interesting questions about Japan -3-

Let me answer the rest of interesting questions about Japan. Three questions are only left.
10 - Did you know that if you go to a buffet restaurant in Japan you will notice people only eat as much as they need without any waste?  No wasteful food.
Yes, it's a kind of manner. We say "Mottainai". Do you know how many people who are starving there are in the world. And who eats the leftover on your dish? Dogs? Cats? No one. It cnahges into trash. And Japan is a small country, we have a limited land, so we have to reduce garbage. Three Rs are really important, reduce, reuse and recycle.

11 - Did you know that the rate of delayed trains in Japan is about 7 seconds per yearThey appreciate the value of time and are very punctual to minutes and seconds.

Yes, it is one of our proud things. And do you know that in a city people tend to be punctual, but in a rural area where people use car, people are not so punctual. One of things which was difficult for me to adjust Utsunomiya's life  is to get used to people who are not coming to my house on time.

12 -. Did you know that children in schools brush their teeth (sterile) and clean their teeth after a meal at school?  They maintain their health from an early age.

Yes, it's true. Is it strange? I don't know since when this habit has been usual. When I was an elementary school student (it means 45 years ago), we didn't have this habit. But anyway my daughters have kept healthy teeth without cavities for 25 years.

13 - Did you know that students take half an hour to finish their meals to ensure right digestion?     When asked about this concern, they said: These students are the future of Japan.

Does question ask about the time to have lunch? Usually at school they have one- hour lunch time. But it includes setting tables, serving lunch, and cleaning away. In Japan, usually school lunch is made in school, and children serves it by  themselves, and eat it at their home room class. We don't have a cafeteria. And after lunch  they have 20 or more minutes recess. So children want to play more so they may eat their lunch quickly.
On the other hand one of surprised things was that at school elementary school students just have an apple, potato chips and drink. Is is enough for elementary school students?

I answered all questions. It was fun.
If you are Japanese what do you think of them and if you are a foreigner what do you think of them?
If I can get your comments, I'm really happy.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Mieko, for answering the questions. I learned a lot...and perhaps you did, too! The US is such a huge country that "not one size fits all" and many of us are resisting attempts to limit the right of each state to determine their own way of governing. That is a very big issue in our country today...handing over to the federal government the right to determine how everyone will conduct their daily lives. It is far easier in Japan, a very small,over populated, somewhat isolated island country with very few outside influences and with the vast majority having the same beliefs, traditions and morals. Not so much here...and less all the time with more and more immigrants who bring their lifestyles, expectations, and habits with them and are not really expected to adapt to ours. As restrictive as life in Japan can be, I can easily see how it's necessary...in most cases. Jan

Mieko said...

Thanks for your comment Jan. These days I often feel even in Japan that "not one size fits all". Fortunately we don't have an eveident racial problem.
However I feel Japanese people are chagning. Some can adjust to the change, but some can't. This difference causes a problem.