tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859120836007416823.post3436172605235839246..comments2023-10-09T09:30:53.349-07:00Comments on From Japan With Love: I am grateful.FromJapanWithLovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501843582871473733noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859120836007416823.post-19854344307047735082008-12-29T10:21:00.000-08:002008-12-29T10:21:00.000-08:00superkawaiimama-thanks for the kind words!!!cuzIFe...superkawaiimama-thanks for the kind words!!!<BR/><BR/><BR/>cuzIFeltLikeIt-it was difficult-especially since I just couldn't understand it and wanted him to question things or say no to things and he couldn't. I eventually stopped trying and just put up with it!<BR/><BR/>Robyn-My honey has NEVER expected me to do any of those things but I think the real reason why is that he lived in the States for 4 years and so he knew my (Canada is pretty much the same when it comes to these things) culture. He himself is not really Japanese...He is Japanese but not in his thinking. when I first got here I always said that I would never marry a Japanese guy because of the expectations but then I met Futoshi and it works!! I do think some women are jealous of me and the freedom I have and that Futoshi does so much around the house. Even my adult female students tell me that he isn't Japanese and they say "iina!!" which basically means "I'm jealous!". A lot of them have to ask for permission to go places or do things. Some have to cook dinner for 2 hours every night and their husbands refuse to go out to a restaurant or order in. Some women tell me there husbands come home, sit on the sofa and demand beer and snacks!!FromJapanWithLovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02501843582871473733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859120836007416823.post-27529170824425887362008-12-29T09:11:00.000-08:002008-12-29T09:11:00.000-08:00Did your honey ever expect you to get up early and...Did your honey ever expect you to get up early and make his meals? Or are these things not expected of you because you are not Japanese? Do you think that Japanese women resent you for this or do they envy you? (Sorry for all the questions. I'm really curious about other cultures.)Robynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17258778093692827142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859120836007416823.post-43779777083704569402008-12-28T15:46:00.000-08:002008-12-28T15:46:00.000-08:00Oh I so needed to read that right now. I've been v...Oh I so needed to read that right now. I've been very grumpy and full of complaints this last month. I know I have it good but sometimes, it just takes a little more perspective to make you truly appreciate your lot in life. And on another note, congratulations on the success of your Etsy business! That is an awesome achievement.Candice DeVillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17556198036135539946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859120836007416823.post-54187021509736236092008-12-26T17:55:00.000-08:002008-12-26T17:55:00.000-08:00Wow....those are some loooong hours. I'm glad you...Wow....those are some loooong hours. I'm glad your honey and you don't have to deal with that anymore. I can't Imagine how tough that would be on the two of you.'Cuz I Felt Like It!https://www.blogger.com/profile/06771721228319905882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859120836007416823.post-45324031276907046772008-12-23T19:33:00.000-08:002008-12-23T19:33:00.000-08:00Colleen...even after more than 10 years here I can...Colleen...even after more than 10 years here I can be shocked by things!!<BR/><BR/>Terryann-some of my students have been sent to the States for 3 years because of their jobs....they never want to come back. They truly love the relaxed way of the American life. They love the choices.FromJapanWithLovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02501843582871473733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859120836007416823.post-31489257452848138852008-12-23T19:31:00.000-08:002008-12-23T19:31:00.000-08:00Robyn-it is the Japanese way. The company owns you...Robyn-it is the Japanese way. The company owns you. You do what they say. If the company says "you start working at the Tokyo branch In April" you go (can't say no) but your family will stay in Fukuoka (it's like you going to New York and your family stays in Florida). Many people don't get paid overtime so even all the extra hours don't bring extra money. Technically I believe people have vacation time BUT it is rare to take more than 5 days. People will travel to Europe for 5 days (3 I guess if you count 2 days for flying). If you are really sick, you don't go to work I guess but then that means other people in the office have to do your work so it is seen as a bad thing. Divorce is rising but it is still much lower than the States. It is VERY difficult for the wife as she is left to do everything...housework, take care of the kids, get up in the morning BEFORE the husband to make him fresh lunch and breakfast. I really could go on and on about this as I have strong feelings about all of this but a lot of it comes down to "group thinking". Standing out/being different/being unique is seen as a bad thing here and you will be punished for it so if you go home early, take long vacations, say no to your boss....you are being different and "selfish".FromJapanWithLovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02501843582871473733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859120836007416823.post-31430746806529085832008-12-23T14:15:00.000-08:002008-12-23T14:15:00.000-08:00Why do Japanese families do that? Why is it that t...Why do Japanese families do that? Why is it that the husband works such long hours? Does he not make much money or does he just want more? I'm very curious about this. Do companies allow for vacation time or sick days? What is the divorce rate like? It must be very difficult for the wife.Robynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17258778093692827142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859120836007416823.post-86842653392774534162008-12-23T09:50:00.000-08:002008-12-23T09:50:00.000-08:00The American Dream is a real thing even though us ...The American Dream is a real thing even though us dreamers don't seem to appreciate it as we should. Thanks for reminding me and waking me up just a little!terryannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05505335074203642711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859120836007416823.post-24827150022385744152008-12-23T07:09:00.000-08:002008-12-23T07:09:00.000-08:00And it's important to remember to be thankful for ...And it's important to remember to be thankful for those things we so often take for granted! When I was living there, I remember being shocked at the hours and what a lot of my students there (business people) called a "family life". Thanks for the reminder to be grateful!Colleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05820731149118429839noreply@blogger.com