Cultural Shocks

In many countries, crossing the train track is prohibitted unless at the permitted location such as in the cross-road-track. In Japan, this action againts the rule and can bring the actor to the jail. In Indonesia and probably in some developing countries peole could cross the track easily and never care about the train as a user or even themselves.   

I could not imagine, how the thieves did their action to steal the train signal cable, the important thing to control the train traffic. But, it happened and frequently happned in Indonesia, especially Jakarta. There was stolen cable in Jakarta on 27 July 2007. This very bad habbit caused around 50 trains have to wait for the maintenance.

How can we understand this case, the cable is underground cable. It took time to dig, took it out and brought it to their place. But, they still stole. Woo, poor moral. They (thieves) never think about the safety of other people, the only thing they care about is money. After stealing, they sell the cable and use the money for drugs. Oh, poor culture.  

Many of you may do not know about the limitation of the number of students (from senior high school) who can enter the university in one country. In Japan, ASEAN countries, USA, NZ, and in other many countries. the number of student who can enroll the university is limited. Limited means that not all graduates from senior high school can continue their study in campus, because they have to take examination. Some students may fail.

But, the following story is different from those common systems. All students, as long as they graduated from senior high school, they can be accepted by all public universities. In which country? The answer is France. After taking the examination at senior high school named Baccalaureat and passed, they (who want to continue their study in tertiary level) are all happy. It is because, they can go to wherever universities in France they want.

And, the most interesting one is no limitation of the number of students who can enter in one university. The capacity of one university does not matter in receiving the number of students. All students who enrolled at the specific university can be accepted. Wow, it’s wonderful.

This story I got from Fench students under NUPACE- Nagoya University Student Exchange Program. They presented about the student life in France as part of the Kiso Seminar class (Student Life in the World). The presentation was held at Education Centre for International Students (ECIS), Nagoya University, 9 July 2007.  If, for example, I made mistake in this story, please do not hesitate to give me a correction. Thanks.

You may never imagine that someone or even many people have three reliogions within one week (7 days). But, that happen in Japan, the rising sun country. Please folow this words to get the story. My story was approved by some Japanese people.

During the end of the year, or we can say upcoming new year, mots of us know about the Chrismas Party. Yes, many Japanese people celebrate Christmas party, even they do not know about the Chris or Christian as a religion. They are just celebrating. Then, the next day is the last day of the year, which is 31 of December. At that day many Japanese people go to the Bhuddist temple to pray. Regardless of ages, they are all praying to the Bhudda. 

And, on the following day, which is the new year, many Japanese people also celebrating the religious moment. They go to the Shrine, Japanese shinto temple. They go there and pray for their gods until the sun rise.

Many Japanese people are happy to celebrating several days at the end of the year. So, why the title is having three religions within a week? I just want to say, that Japanese people are Christian (in celebration) on the 25 of December, Bhuddist on the last day of the year, and Shinto on the day of new year.

Why Japanese people do like that? I interviewed some Japanese people, including junior-senior high schools, they said that because we, Japanese people, love party. Party become parts of our lives, they said.

I have never found this culture elsewhere in the world. If you knwo this similar culture please share to us, by giving comments to this post. Thanks.

This is very uncommon in our country, Indonesia. We, now in Japan, meet many messengers of one religion. Let say christian messengers. They came to our house (apato-in Japanese) many times. They are all Japanese. When they came, the knocked the door very softly to give respect to the owner.  We opened the door. With the clean-neat cloth, the Japanese said - ohayougozaimasu- to us. We replied ohayougozaimasu. The next thing done by this globalization messengers were asking about the country where we come from. When we answered from specific country, then they open a small book that consist greetings in many language. Wherever you come from, with your own language, they ready to show us about their interest to come.

They told us: Have you ever imagine about the live with happiness and peace.  Would you like to live under that condition. We come here to spread the spirit of Jehuwah-(their gods). etc.etc.

Then we said: now we are people who already have religion. We are very sorry that we could not let you come to the next special message to us.  It was funny and litle bit stupid to come to people how already have religion.

They are never bored or hopeless to come to our house, or probably your house too. They are all well organized in Japan and other country. Be carefull, because this is the real cultural shocks to us or even you. 

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Noodle (Udon) from Japan

The vast majority of you have eaten noodle or in Japanese language can be generaly translated as ‘Udon’ (read as: udong). This cultural shock of enjoying udong I got it when I came into Japan in 2004 and 2005 until now.

I am a noodle-lover. In Japan when I am eating udon I cannot simply imitate how they (Japanese people) are eating it. For one reason, I went to Nagoya University Cafetaria or ’shokudo’ in Japanese. I ordered a bowl of udon and then took a seat and enjoy it. Many students also anjoy their lunch. When I was eating I heard some noisy sound ’srutttttttttttttt’. I was surprised on what I heard. What’s that. Two people were eating udon. They were eating with noisy sound.

In many countries, including Indonesia, having noisy sound when eating or enjoying food is a rude habit. But not in Japan. The noisy sound is simply to show that we enjoy the food and give respect and honour to people who have cooked or served for us.

On the other day, I tried to make a sound when I was eating just to imitate the Japanese style, but it was difficult. and it is difficult until today time. You can try it if you want.