Culture differences that I was surprised between Japan and Germany in my German life
1.How to wash dishes
In Japan
We wash dishes with soap and rinse soap off with water.
In Germany
They wash with soap and that’s it.
They do not rinse soap off.
I couldn’t accept German way.
I don’t want to put chemicals from dish soap in my mouth.
2.About sexual thing
In Japan
There is no vending machine of adult toys in public streets.
And there is no commercial of adult toys on TV.
It is not open to talk about erotic stuffs in Japanese culture.
People think that it is not good for children.
In Germany
There are vending machines on the street and adult toys commercials on TV.
I think erotic stuffs are more open in Germany than Japan.
3.How to celebrate birthday
In Japan
On your birthday, your friends, partner or family normally organize your birthday party for you.
And they treat you usually.
In Germany
On your birthday, you organize your party by yourself and invite your friends or family.
Usually, you pay the cost all.
4.Contact Mom (family)
In Japan
It depends on family but to call Mom once a month is normal.
Or even once a year is normal for some families.
In my case, I’ve been in Germany since 2016 and Mom is in Japan.
I don’t call at all but text almost every day.
Mom would be surprised if I called her and she might worry or expect something emergency.
We finally tried video calls through Skype for the first time in 4 years.
I was supposed to visit Japan as usual.
I normally visit Japan once or twice a year but I didn’t do because of Covid-19.
In Germany
To call Mom once a week is normal.
I heard that my friend’s boyfriend calls Mom everyday.
5.character (e.g. kids toys)
In Japan
There are many cute adorable mascots in Japan.
Form and face parts are made to be adorable.
In Germany
My impression of mascots in Germany is realistic.
Even for kids toys of animal, sometimes it’s not cute enough like Japanese mascots.
6.Behavior of homeless people
In Japan
Homeless people in Japan usually stay in their area and they almost never talk to you.
In Germany
In public transportations and streets, homeless people in Germany ask you to give money.
German homeless people seem active.
7.Smoking
In Japan
Many areas in Japan are not allowed to smoke.
At restaurants, public places and offices are usually not allowed to smoke these days.
In Germany
I feel a lot of men and women of all ages smoke in Germany.
I often see people walking and smoking on the street in Germany.
8.Expression
In Japan
If Japanese people have to tell something negative to you,
they would would try telling you not direct words.
They are careful not to hurt you.
Sometimes it is difficult to judge the real feeling of Japanese people.
Because it exists this thinking “Honne(true intention) and Tatemae(social lubricant)”.
In Germany
German people just tell you what they feel anyway.
It’s often direct.
That sometimes makes me shocked or sad but I’m getting used to it.
9.Makeup
In Japan
I think many women put on makeup daily.
In general, Japanese people think big eyes are cute.
That’s why many Japanese women make an effort to especially eye makeup.
In Germany
I feel around a half of women I see on the street have no makeup in Germany.
German women are more natural and casual than Japanese women.
I guess more people wear backpacks and sneakers in Germany than Japan.
10.Kebab shop
In Japan
I’m not sure how many kebab shops exist in Japan.
Probably, there are not many shops in Japan.
I had it only once at a temporary kebab catering shop in Nagoya city, Aichi prefecture.
In Germany
There are many kebab shops and Turkish in Germany.
11.Tip
In Japan
You don’t pay tips in Japan.
Regardless of no tip, the way to behave to customers is great.
In Germany
It is not necessarily but 5-10 percent of payment is normal to give as tips.
Total
There are a lot of differences between Japan and Germany.
Let me talk about more differences between Japan and Germany next time.