My recent trip back to the States lasted almost an entire month. It went by rather fast but it was interesting to experience the contrast of coming back to the States after living in a culture so vastly different and in many ways opposite that of many parts of the States. In a strange way, I actually had more culture shock coming back to the States. 

After having been in Japan for almost 6 months, this gave me a good enough time abroad to really become immersed into the culture and the way of life in Japan. Interestingly, the culture shock that I experienced very lightly a year ago when visiting the country for the first time has yet to even make an apperance. I've been told by some to brace myself for culture shock and how it will take effect in various stages, etc...yet honestly, I've experienced almost zero culture shock since moving to Japan in July. Perhaps this is because I can already read a lot of Japanese or the fact that my husband is Asian and therefore I've already been to tons of Asian supermarkets, eaten at so many establishments where I was the only "white" person, or maybe it's more than that. Maybe I just really enjoy Japanese culture, more so than living in America. True, America is always my home and I'll always feel naturally more "comfortable" there with the surroundings and my family and friends, yet, living in Japan is almost somewhat of a eutopia. For one, I've raved about this before but I'll say it again, the people are so unpretentious, kept-to-themselves, polite, and extremely respectful of others. It's extremely rare to find a rude Japanese person who will push you out of the way to get what they want or tailgate you while driving, or cut ahead of you in a supermarket line and pretend they didn't see you. These things just don't happen here and it's amazing how much less irritation you experience, compounded. Domo arigato gozimasu is probably the most popular Japanese phrase common to people all around the world, and incidently, it means thank you very much. How amazing is it that the phrase "thank you very much" is Japan's most notable phrase in its entire language? It's an indication of a culture of respect that not only reaches to respect from one person to another, but for themselves. Generally, from what I have seen here over the last 6 months, Japanese people have more respect for taking care of themselves, eat healthier, they run a lot, recycle everything,prepare food in an almost religious way, and prepare purchases in an almost superflous giftwrapping manner. When we moved into our high rise, there were numerous cautionary steps as well as formal polite gestures that were extensively made between our part and the landlord. Upon signing our lease, we were greeted with a barrage of 5 men from the real estate company who were there to generally make sure every little minor detail from legal to custom was prepared with as much integrity as possible. Every single scratch or discoloration in the floors or on the walls, no matter how minor, was captured on a sketch as well as with a photo. It probably took us about 6 hours to actually finalize the paper work. 

True, the Japanese to I'm sure a large extent "put up" with these formalities out of a duty and respect to one's culture. They are human just like everyone else but they are just more civilized (at least in public). As far as whether this apologetic culture with almost no displays of public confrontation is more right than wrong, perhaps it's personal preference. I tend to be very non-confrontational and at times apologetic towards people when in the States, which in situations I feel like it's interpreted as a weakness. Americans pride themselves on being strong and speaking up loudly, and obviously this kinda goes with the foundations of our highly democratic society. Freedom of speech is kinda like the underpinning of our overly confrontational society. There is so much emphasis in our culture upon this right that sometimes I think it becomes a dominant frame of mind for citizens who see entitlement FOR personal respect rather than giving respect. This is just a theory, but obviously there is less emphasis in American culture upon giving respect than receiving it. I support democratic free speech, but I cannot stand bombastic individuals that permeate American culture in the media as well as in daily life which only serve to perpetuatethe discourse of obtaining personal respect in our society. 

Japan seems to bee a bit more "civilized' but I'm still trying to learn about how it reconciles its extremely non-confrontational culture with advancing its political rights and ideas, seeming as public displays are kinda essential towards social movements. How democratic is Japan and does this cultural norm act as a barrier towards a more free society? Interestingly, the two countries are huge allies. 

This is quite a bit deep for a travel blog with tangents galore, but these are questions I hope answer before we leave and honest insights I've picked up along the way.