The day I decided to see a Japanese optician, was the day I was confirmed with a pink eye. I have therefore been observing my early days in Japan through obscure vision, which unfortunate shaped the experience I had based on constant struggle to see things more clearly. Even though my pink eye was contagious, jokes kept spreading but so did the infection, only then it was not funny any more. I knew my pink eye has nothing to do with me being in a new environment as according to my optician, it was already infected 14 days ago therefore the country itself was not to blame. However, it did intrude my journey, which was unfortunate as first impression really matters but what I also knew that if such distractions never occurred, my excitement would not remain submerged and I probably would have received a better view of Japan. It’s quite interesting how small things can really set you off the mood but I am pretty sure my pink eyes did not neglected the overall impression of Japan. As a matter of fact, my early impression of Japan arose when I approached a Japanese person for the first time in the country. Already then I experienced politeness in Japan, which pretty much formed my expectation but then again it was expected that such customer service respresentatives should be well-mannered and easily approachable. However, there was a statistic on Japanese self-images according to Institute of Statistical Mathematics in 2009, which revealed that Japanese people regard themselves, most highly as diligent, courteous and kind. This also sums up a lot to my early impression. My taxi-driver is a good example of that kind. For some reason, I felt that he portrays the Japanese society. A white-haired old man who does not speak any English, which required him to use body language to communicate. His subtle yet awkward body language in a way indicates that he will do his best to drive me to my destination with safety and security. Although I was aware of his awkward body language, I knew it would not apply to western culture. In this case, bowing was often used and eye contact is rarely common, as he tend to look down a lot. Strangely enough, I find our communication very pleasant and amusing.
Once we arrived to the dormitory, my taxi-driver rang the bell and asked for the landlord, making sure that I was in the right place. So much effort for an old Japanese taxi-driver made my heart warm. When I enter the dormitory, I encounter another Japanese person, this time it was an old lady, my host mother of the building. She approached me with similar manner as my taxi-driver, this sweet yet awkward body language. Consequently, my experience of Japanese etiquette plays a big role in my early impression of Japan. Realizing how tremendously well-mannered and respectful they were towards other, I need to start behave myself.
Source: Institute of Statistical Mathematics 2009, Sugimoto 2010: An introduction to Japanese Society.
