I am Home

[hashiriya1]

After 7 years of Japan, I am home. What a strange feeling it is.
Reverse culture shock is a trip. So many little things about American culture that I have forgotten about are all coming back little by little. Anyway, I can go on forever, but I just want to say that is is good to be home again. I can't wait to get me some Mexican food.

I have one week to rest, then it is off to work I go. I am very grateful to have a job upon my return because most of my friends here in America are struggling to find jobs.

I am going to drive around for the next couple days at get re-acquainted with my home, The San Francisco Bay Area. Gas is SO CHEAP here ($2.79). Most people think that is expensive, but I have been paying about or over $6.00/gallon for the past few years. It is a breath of fresh air.

[fastbilly1]

Welcome back - Go find yourself a torta place stat!

[Luke]

Glad to hear that you made it home safely.

[Ack]

Welcome back to the good old USA. Glad you made it back home ok.

[DCAllAmerican]

So many little things about American culture that I have forgotten about are all coming back little by little.

Give some examples....

[Luke]

So many little things about American culture that I have forgotten about are all coming back little by little.

Give some examples....

Little things, like, ya know they don't call it a Royale with Cheese in America? They weigh shit in a totally different manner. Ya know what they call it? A quarter pounder.

[hashiriya1]

So many little things about American culture that I have forgotten about are all coming back little by little.

Give some examples....

BIG portions at restaurants, rude cashiers*, strangers talking to you, people bumming for cigarettes, etc etc. That was all just my first day back.



*In American culture, they are not rude per se, but I got so used to the how polite shop employees in Japan are. At the airport, some guy was talking on the phone to his friend via bluetooth headset while ringing me up for a bottled water. I was in complete awe. And he didn't even count my 75 cents in change when giving it to me! The nerve!

[Niode]

After 7 years of Japan, I am home. What a strange feeling it is.
Reverse culture shock is a trip. So many little things about American culture that I have forgotten about are all coming back little by little. Anyway, I can go on forever, but I just want to say that is is good to be home again. I can't wait to get me some Mexican food.

I have one week to rest, then it is off to work I go. I am very grateful to have a job upon my return because most of my friends here in America are struggling to find jobs.

I am going to drive around for the next couple days at get re-acquainted with my home, The San Francisco Bay Area. Gas is SO CHEAP here ($2.79). Most people think that is expensive, but I have been paying about or over $6.00/gallon for the past few years. It is a breath of fresh air.

YOU PAY $2.79 A GALLON FOR PETROL!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! WHAT THE FUCK. WHY THE FUCK ARE WE BEING PESTERED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO USE OUR CARS LESS WHEN YOU LOT CAN DRIVE AROUND FOR PRACTICALLY NOTHING. MY GOVERMENT BLOWS.

You could fucking drink that stuff. That's WAAAY cheaper than beer over here. In fact it's nearly as cheap as bottled water...

[Breetai]

After 7 years of Japan, I am home. What a strange feeling it is.
Reverse culture shock is a trip. So many little things about American culture that I have forgotten about are all coming back little by little. Anyway, I can go on forever, but I just want to say that is is good to be home again. I can't wait to get me some Mexican food.

I have one week to rest, then it is off to work I go. I am very grateful to have a job upon my return because most of my friends here in America are struggling to find jobs.

I am going to drive around for the next couple days at get re-acquainted with my home, The San Francisco Bay Area. Gas is SO CHEAP here ($2.79). Most people think that is expensive, but I have been paying about or over $6.00/gallon for the past few years. It is a breath of fresh air.

Wow, welcome back! I've been away over hear for just about 5 years, and when I leave I think I'm going to be around the 6 year mark at least. If you have time, I'd LOVE to read about your reverse culture shock experiences. I do feel it quite a bit when I visit home on holiday (visiting my parents in Canada for Christmas was... cold), but I'm imagining it's totally different when you're back for good. I can definitely related to the rude* cashier thing. They have no manners over on the American side (I usually fly in via Minneapolis or Chicago). The immigration officers make me want to punch them as well. Lots of them are total dicks.

I look forward to hearing more!

[the King]

So many little things about American culture that I have forgotten about are all coming back little by little.

Give some examples....

BIG portions at restaurants, rude cashiers*, strangers talking to you, people bumming for cigarettes, etc etc. That was all just my first day back.



*In American culture, they are not rude per se, but I got so used to the how polite shop employees in Japan are. At the airport, some guy was talking on the phone to his friend via bluetooth headset while ringing me up for a bottled water. I was in complete awe. And he didn't even count my 75 cents in change when giving it to me! The nerve!

I'd say that is rude, but seems to become more commonplace for some reason.