A lot of people complain about the US being so isolated. We don’t understand other cultures, we’re ignorant, we’re arrogant, we’re isolated. I got news for you, world:
We ain’t that bad.
I want you to imagine a country filled with white people. Not only that, but white people all from the same country. No immigrants. Everyone’s local. Everyone has exactly the same cultural background, no variations. You look around, and everyone is
just
like
you.
That’s Japan. Does Japan have culture? Absolutely. It has Japanese culture. It knows Japanese culture. But aside from that, that’s really about it. It is a truly homogeneous culture.
Yeah, I guess America’s not Europe with all those cool countries smashed together and so many opportunities to travel. (Which, by the way Americans, is blown out of proportion. Travelling inside Europe is still pretty expensive.) But we’re culturally aware. We have a variety of religions and religious holidays. We enjoy tons of food. And we like to experience other cultures. The average American can explain Ramadan, the secular celebration of Christmas, Hanukkah, Passover, tattoos, piercings, how different Christian sects differ, where different breads come from in the world, how to use chopsticks, and the origin of Santa Claus. That American has probably also been inside a cathedral, a synagouge, and maybe even a mosque, no matter what the person’s religion is. Additionally, you can probably ask the average American what his/her favorite food and drink is by major country.
Japan, on the other hand, knows only Japan. I get that. What I don’t get, though, is the experience part. I don’t get why it’s so fascinating to Japanese people that I can use chopsticks, sleep on a futon, eat and cook Japanese food, and like to play Go. It’s as if Japanese people expect me to know what those things are, instead of doing them. I love to experience Japan.