Chapter 245. [Foreigners Becoming Japanese]

Off-collaboration stream with Ilyena.

Despite being too accustomed to Japan, there are still some ‘accidents’ when she returns home.

“So, I went to eat with a friend I met up with after a long time, but there was a line at the restaurant. When I lined up like it was normal, they were like ‘huh!?’ and surprised.”

“Huh? Was there something weird?”

“They said, ‘[Wouldn’t it be faster to find another restaurant?]’ and I was like, ‘Oops.’.”

“Yeah?”

≫Resistance to lines lol

≫Indeed, Japanese people really like lining up, huh (Ukrainian)

≫Isn’t it that in foreign countries, lines are more of something to avoid, rather than to join?

“In the end, my friend found it funny, and we ended up lining up together to enter that restaurant.”

≫In Japan, it’s considered manners to line up when you see a line (Ukrainian)

≫Also, even during disasters, people line up orderly because of their polite nature (Ukrainian)

≫↑That’s true, but also slightly wrong lol

“We ordered borscht and varenyky…”

“I know borscht, but what are varenyky?”

“In Japan, it’s closest to water dumplings. And then I accidentally dropped my cutlery. They brought me replacements, and I ended up apologizing to the staff like ‘I’m sorry.'”

≫It’s not ‘sorry’ there, right? It’s ‘thank you’

≫Why do Japanese people apologize even when they are not at fault? (Ukrainian)

≫Ah! That’s so relatable lol

“Apologizing has become a reflex, huh.”

“Yeah! And then my friend’s glass was empty, so I tried to pour mine into theirs, and they were like ‘What are you doing?’ all confused.”

“That happens.”

“When I showed off my Japanese, I got praised like ‘Wow!’ but I humbly said ‘No, no.’.”

“Totally!”

“Also, during conversations, I nodded or gave affirmations, and they told me, ‘Your reactions are annoying!’ or ‘Don’t rush the conversation!’. It wasn’t my intention.”

“It happens a lot!”

“Wow, it seems like everyone here can really relate, huh?”

“Well, I’ve had similar experiences in America too.”

The story from earlier with Ilyena applies to Japanese people going abroad too.

In my case, though, since I look Japanese, things often get resolved with “Oh, it’s because our cultures are different.”.

“Oh, and I got a work call during dinner and stepped away to take it… and started bowing by myself like, ‘What are you doing?’, and got laughed at.”

“Haha.”

“And when I left our belongings unattended, I got scolded.”

Indeed, since coming back to Japan, I’ve been surprised by how carefree everyone is.

To name a few:

Kids going out alone.

Women riding elevators alone.

Walking on the streets at night.

Falling asleep on trains.

And so on.

“I heard from an acquaintance VTuber that they now easily put bills in vending machines. They said it’s because, at their home, vending machines often eat money or don’t give change. Well, this might be specific to certain areas in the U.S..”

In areas with poor security, vending machines can lose products, or money quickly.

That might lead to poor maintenance or construction because they can’t afford the costs anymore.

“Also, that person was surprised when the waiter refused the tips after things like returning a lost wallet in Japan, or getting a wet towel at a restaurant, or having their table wiped.”

“In that sense, Ukraine also doesn’t have a tipping culture. So, when Japanese people travel there, they might find it friendly.”

“I might have a chance to go there too…”

“You’re a goodwill ambassador! Please take me with you!”

“Then should I rely on you for navigation?”

≫Aren’t we still in a ‘ceasefire’ technically?

≫↑ Even though there are hardly any entry restrictions now (U)

≫It’s been a long ceasefire, so it’s more like a ‘truce,’ right?

“So, if you’re interested, please visit my hometown!”

“That’s it for today’s stream!”

Well, that ended quite neatly.

I’m usually just tossed around by Ah-nee, so finishing a stream without any issues is rare.

It’s almost worrying in a way.

And of course, that bad feeling would come true.

“By the way, are you okay?”

“Okay? About what?”

“Well, about the feedback from the ASMR stream the other day.”

“Ah, right. Since then, there have been comments asking for more ASMR.”

“No, not from viewers. From parents and such.”

“…!?!?!?”

I suddenly realized.

A and B were very excited and even called me to express their thoughts.

I got prepared for that from the beginning, so it’s fine.

But parents? I never even considered that.

If my actual mom were to ask about that, I’d die of embarrassment!?

“Umm, are you okay?”

“Haha… I’m sure it’s fine. After all, nothing has been said. She probably hasn’t seen it.”

It seems like my mother doesn’t watch all of the streams.

I closed the stream, telling myself “Otsuka-reta-.” while feeling uneasy… and then.

***

“Mom thinks being too naughty might not sit well.”

“Ahhhhh!?”

Those words from my mother made me crumble.