What do I like American Etiquette?

Since there are many differences between Japanese etiquette and American one, I got many unexpected mistakes when I came here. I can't say that which is better but I have lots of aspects which make me like American etiquette. In terms of language, when someone sneezes, they say "bless you"even if they don't really know her or him. I like this costum because I feel good and be blessed by them while they don't care about what this word means just custom. Moreover, I love to see people who go through looking at others with smiling even if they don't know each other. I think they are really friendly and smiling makes me happy. I can say that American are really friendly and open to others. That is what I like American etiquitte.

Dressing up in costume

I haven't really worn the costume in my country because we don't have custom nor culture to wear costume like Halloween. But I remember I wore one of princess and my brother were mouse when we were children at the halloween party held by English school where I studied. My mother made me up as a princess although I felt uncomfortable. Moreover, my second time to wear costume was when it was last Halloween after I came to the U.S. I just wore mask, wig , and black dress. My friend helped me make up so that I was like different person. It was fun to wear and look the others dressing up in costume. I saw people pretemding Ninjya, tultles, characters of TV game, Mario, and so on. Halloween was one of my precious and unforgettable experience for me.

Easter

When I found many stuffs for easter such as eggs, candy, basket and other which colored pastel color in super market, I wondered what these are for. I knew that there is holiday called easter but not sure exactly what it is. I asked American friend and host family about my question which I got from super market. They letted me know what easter is but all of them didn't know why they use eggs to celeblate easter. Easter is the day Jesus was raised from the dead three days after his execution. I saw many sutudents going back their home town to spend time with their family. I think this day is so important especially for Christian that they tend to spend time with family.

Since I couldn't get information about why eggs represents Easter by asking someone, I looked up internet. It says that The egg is seen as symbolic of the grave and life renewed or resurrected by breaking out of it. Also, it is a symbol of spring.

Have a good Easter :-)

Are American religious?

Do you think that American are religious?
In my opinion of view since I came in the U.S. just 7months ago, I think they are. Of course under this diversification, I can't say all of them are because the religious participation varies immensely depends on many factors, including race, age, social class, economic condition, and region of the contry(also if there is residential or business area).
At least they are more religious than Japanese are. I know some of my conspicious friends are inclined to go pray God at the church to get the instruction for their life every Sunday. Moreover, we can see several aspect of customs,ceremonies and holidays in their life such as the naming of baby, coming-of-age celemonies, wedding, funerals, Christmas day and Easter.
However, I observe people( especially young people) who don't really go to the religious facility like church, believe in invisible God nor even know the meaning of holiday like Christamas day even if they are Christian.
American are more religious than Japanese are. However, as societies become more industrial and more technological, they tend to become more secular.

Separate But Equal

What observations did you make in the movie that depicts the unequal treatment of African Americans?
In the movie we watched at last class, I observed many points which stand for discrimination. For example, black children must walk as much as five or six miles to get to and from their home in segregates elementary school. Even one of their father was sick of seeing his son trudge home too tired to do his homework. Also, we can see the differences between black and white people such as their church.

The philosophy of raising children

Americans believe in the importance of teaching their children to be self-reliant.
What do you think of this philosophy?

In my opinion, I think we need to think about it in that way too. Once children go out into the society without families, they can't lean on their parents anymore so that it is necessary for all of us to learn how to build myself. Parents shouldn't indulge them in order to make them independent.
Also, in my culture, we focus on the bond between family just the same as what we have done. Family is the most important thing for us to live even if we are apart from. We need to take care of our families for all time because they are all we are and we are here thanks to family.
Too much cling is not good but we should be independent,and at the same time, we should be greatful for and think about our family.

Assimilation of immigtants

Immigrant assimilation is a complex process in which an immigrant fully integrates themselves into a new country. In my opinion, at least they need to learn English to survive in the U.S. I don't think they should elimate their own language but they need to know English to talk with the other people who speak different language from theirs in order to start business and live with less difficulty. Of course, inside the house, they can speak their own language within family. It is connected to protect their own culture. I would like them to keep their own culture and customs with their hed held high even though they are in the U.S. Depends on their occation, it may change if it is good to assimilate or not.

Spirit of Harmony

What aspect of your country are people most proud of?

I guess that it is "harmony among people".
How does does quality affect life there?
Japanese people feel that "wa", the harmony within a group, is more important than explaining our own importance, argument and confrontation.
Since rice agriculture was the basis of the nation, which requires to work with the others, cooperation and team spirit have been considered important to live in a group society.
For example, the Japanese educational system also emphasizes the depending each other and working together. So, we have symbol which recognize as the group different from the other to outsides and to people within the group such as school uniforms, name tags, banners, and songs.

Actually I worn the uniform above in the picture in my high school...It seems like long time ago..