more on japan

here are a few things about Japan that i did not know before arriving here:

1. japanese toilets are level with the ground, and you squat over them to go to the bathroom. it can be uncomfortable if you aren't used to it, haha, but many places offer one or two western stalls as well.

2. japanese bathing rooms are very unique. the toilet and the actual bath\shower are in separate rooms. to take a bath, you first take your clothes off and sit on a stool, where you use a shower head to completely wash your body and hair, and then rinse. if you are a girl with long hair, you are expected to put your hair back with a rubber band. then you get in a tub full of heated bath water to lay and relax. this same bath water is heated and used by each family member daily. this is not considered unsanitary as each person is washed and rinsed before entering the tub.

3. a common breakfast in japan is steamed rice, often with some kind of flavoring, misu soup, and some kind of fish such as tuna. my family however was considerate enough to ask me what i preferred for brakfast and shop accordingly, although i am happy to have rice, soup \, and fish, no matter how different it seems to me.

4. in japan, summer vacation is only one month, along with 2 weeks off in winter, and 2 more off in spring. and it is not uncommon for students in japan to spend their time from 7AM until as late as 10PM doing academic related activities, such as extre classes, tutoring, or studying.

5. in japan, it is considered strange to hug or kiss in public.

6. if you are on a bus or train in japan, no one talks, even if they are sitting with a friend or family member. so i often stand out when riding in a bus or train, as i talk a lot! haha.

7. in japan it is considered rude to eat or drink while while moving/walking. one should be sitting or standing still.

8. it is rude to chew gum while talking in japan.

9. in japan, girls should not show their shoulders or above their knees.

10. you do not wear shoes in any japanese house. in some houses there are slippers in the entryway for you to change into, and different slippers to put on when using the restroom. in other houses, like my host family's, just being barefoot is ok. :)