Living in Japan: Culture Shock!
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- Published on Oct 1, 2012
- Culture Shock in Japan, Convenience and Sushi: I've now been in Japan two months and in this video I briefly describe the experience of culture shock and also discuss the theme of convenience in Japanese culture.
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Choc Culturel au Japon, le côté pratique des choses, et les Sushi: Je suis au Japon depuis 2 mois maintenant et dans cette video je vous raconte brièvement ce qu’est le Choc Culturel et je vais parler aussi du côté pratique dans la culture Japonaise
- I also stuff my face with Sushi for the benefit of education and even drop a chip in the cooker (that's neither a euphemism nor a metaphor - I literally did drop the bloody thing into the cooking hob and now I can't get the damn thing out).
And why not check out AbroadinJapan.com for articles as well, including how to fail in a Tokyo Nightclub:
www.abroadinjapan.com/
And for regular updates and information there's the (NEW) Facebook and Twitter pages where I share my discoveries of Japan along the way (like KFC potato chips!):
(NEW) TWITTER: AbroadInJapan
(NEW) FACEBOOK: abroadinjapan
It's so funny that Chris started out just making videos to entertain himself and now he's traveling around experiencing more of Japan than actual Japanese people.
Truly a 'living your best life' scenario
@Aslamnur Fikri and Too much volcano
From apartment tour to Dr. Jelly to abandoned hotels, it's one hell of journey
I forgot how differently these were filmed. I miss 1970s-1980s Chris. Lol
@SparkleSparkleSparkle me too
HAHHAHAHAHA
@SparkleSparkleSparkle japinc opan vido faling
When I tell you I snorted 😂😂😂
i love going back and watching old content for nostalgia to make me feel comfortable in this strange future.
Damn. His editing has ALWAYS been good af. That’s the biggest thing that makes him so much better than 90% of other jvloggers. He actually puts real thought into how he cuts and paces his videos. Lots of great comedic cuts.
Yeah definitely. And his sense of humour apparently has been great from day 1, I didn't expect that.
Me watching in 2020: I wonder if Chris was any different 8 years ago?
2012 Chris: "Where are the goddamn muffins!?!"
Me: It seems not.
Oh.. fuck,, shit,, I just dropped a chip in the cooker
yep, same good old Chris 8 years and all the way up to two days ago
Well dont forget about the re-entry shock, going home after living abroad might be even worse that the culture shock itself :)
Absolutely. Reentry is much worse.
@Star Hunter I'm in the same boat as you, buddy.
Xxx
Yep, you are absolutely right. 8 years in Japan and coming back to Australia I felt it.
I spent most of the first twelve years of my life overseas (though from 5-7 I lived in the U.S, and came back for occasional visits home) and you are so right about the re-entry shock! So I seemed like quite the odd duck for a number of years. Hell, I still don't really feel like I fit in twenty years later!
When you actually watch this again 8 years later, you really start to appreciate the quality of the videos this man puts out now
"For god's sake...why won't this mug just work??"
Underrated joke there Chris.
Excellent job mate.
the depleted uranium is solid as well
'You're not gonna pay for something you can't read'
Buys bonito concrete fish sushi
hahahaha
The first bonito concrete fish sushi*
Bwahahaha
The first bonito concrete fish sushi
or Fin base of Flatfish( I thought it said Batfish)
lol I absolutely love how serious some people react to this video, British humor at its finest.
I love how the American snaps back but forgets that we(the Canadians) decimated the White House 🤣🤣
@Mugwump Northern Ireland is not 'that bit they refuse to give back' when Ireland started fighting for independence in the 20s, the Northern counties _wanted_ to stay. The north was mostly made up of wealthy landowners, had tonnes of English and Scottish settlers, was majority protestant and overall had more chance for prosperity as part of the UK than independent. Lots of Northern Irish people _today_ identify as British and, of the ones that don't, most of them want Northern Ireland to be its own independent state, NOT reunification with the rest of Ireland.
Definitely a lot of deluded people in here, oh man 🤣 can not even feel any shame as they desperately try to big up their countries
@Nah Fam Nah, most Americans don't have a dry and sarcastic sense of humor.
@Mugwump Except that even with France's help, the English still beat the Irish everytime. 1789, the Irish Rebellion lead by the Society of United Irishmen, consisted largely of Irish defeats, with the significant French intervention being a land invasion months after the main uprising had failed - which then proceeded to fail. Realistically, given the English/French rivalry, France viewed the Irish more as pawns to destabilise the British isles, rather than anyone noteworthy, especially considering they got closer to beating us through America, though that still failed.
1916, The Easter Rising was a complete failure, ending in a crushing British victory, with the leaders executed publicly and thousands of members imprisoned or executed, with the English leaving Dublin. Accounting for the fact it was during the First World War, the fact the Irish were defeated while England was fighting on multiple fronts is frankly quite embarrassing.
You only gained independence through diplomacy, which is fairly hollow in respect to the poster's initial remark.
I like commenting on Chris’s old videos because I know he cringes to think people are watching these.
very true XD
@Nyarlathotep the Egyptian God of No One F*n Cares
That’s crazy
“Crawling Chaos” was my nickname in high school 🤷🏼♂️
Chris you didn't change a lot in 7 and half years, the only thing that has changed is that you have perfected your filming skills, you humor didn't change luckily we need in these days
it's really something rewatching these earlier videos after almost a decade of watching your content, it's amazing how far you've come.
I love how in all his videos, Chris always seems to be somewhat dismayed with life in general. That's so comedic to me.
OMG they literally google translated the name of that sushi XD
For anyone who was wondering, that's smoked fish; bonito being the name of the fish. As for the concrete floor, in Japanese smoked fish are called "tataki", but that word can also mean.. yes, concrete floor.
@Haruna Komuku Maybe it's mis-translated from: Ichiban, which means: First (as in, first, second, third, etc). But it can also mean: Number One/The very best
Yup this is exactly what I found a min ago. The first bonito concrete floor. How epic. I don’t know where “first” is coming from tho..
Wow
@xaraxen 何が分かったおめぇ
@Leopoldo Arzadum わかった
Watching this made me realised that few things that has become standard on the channel were always present:
1) Chris' dry, cynical and sarcastic humour.
2) Chris categorising things into a list.
3) Chris' habit of rating stuff that he eats.
4) Funny Montages.
5) Chris' love/hate relationship with Japan and it's culture.
6) Nice choice of music and pretty decent editing.
It's so awesome to see how much the quality of the content has evolved over the years. Yet Chris' personallity and humor has stayed true.
Cheer to Abroad in Japan.
Felicidades, es un buen ejemplo.
250 sentadillas son unos KISSSS.Uno muchas y un buen ejercicio.
5:25 Se deja ver que hay muy buenos resultados 😍👍
Saludos desde la Cd.. de world 🌹😉💖
los mortales abian apreciado tan hermosa mujer.
Seeing where you were and how far you've come makes me hopeful for my own endeavors.
Honestly a beautiful video to return to. I can only imagine how frightening this may have been, even with only 8 years the difference in tech and communication is staggering.
Incredible to see your early, coming to your own, start to where you are today. Seriously inspirational for pushing past fear and self doubt
Great stuff, this is the first time I've seen a 2012 video from you and the creativity and humour was always there. This channel was bound to be big.
It's so weird knowing that I've been following you ever since this video. I'm a fan of many youtubers but I think you're the only one who I've been watching since day one. I'm planning a trip to Japan next year and I just wanted to let you know that your videos have taught me quite a lot about the culture and your tips on learning the language have been invaluable these last few months. I'm excited to get out of my own country for a change and see what things are like elsewhere. どうも。
Did you get in? And can you explain how it was if you did?
I absolutely love this. A no-frills production, just raw reality and humor. Reminds me of what I like about foreign films vs CG-filled American films. And the montages of industrial progress with that bittersweet oldies song in the background gives me a nostalgic feeling I can't quite put my finger on... I hope Chris makes more of these montages in future videos.
Also, did anyone notice his accent is stronger in this video than it is today? So adorable. 😆
So I am 13 years old and in my PUBLIC school district we have a full Japanese course. Which is absolutely amazing for the state of the current education system in Michigan.
But anyway there was a class of Japanese students that came here to do presentations and one thing I noticed immediately was their politeness, and their fashion sense.
I am not sure if it was just because they were our guests in our country but they were the nicest god damn people I have ever met.
@Porronesian Parapio that math tho LMFAO
he's 19 now, potentially 18 when you commented
Damn you’re an adult now
Wow now you're 21 years old. Happy late / early birthday dude!
Invisible Fiddle WW2
I wish my school had a Japanese course, but we're only allowed to take French (and it's mandatory)
Five years later and still loving your videos! Good job, and congratulations on your success. :)
I just recently found this channel and already binge watched a lot of random videos, and then the whole Cycle of Despair playlist, but I just had to check this one and found out to be of my favorites by a longshot. I can relate so much to Chris's humor and sarcasm. Cheers from Brazil.
I love coming back and watching all your old videos Chris, you certainly have come a long way!
This guy is fucking entertaining. Please keep making videos, I love learning about Japan, but I LOVE his take on all of this. I love it. Please make more.
You have the charisma of a Top Gear presenter.
@IronLionNZ k
Bcuz he's British?
4 years ago this was a compliment :(
I was thinking that same thing about this whole channel
loving watching these, decided to watch from the start and its nice to see you clearly havent changed in your sense of humour although the scope and skill has increased!
Watching this after binge watching the Journey Across Japan videos and hearing "nihongo ga wakarimasen" and hearing Chris going on about conveyor belt sushi after hearing him say that's not real sushi in a recent video gave me some culture shock. He really grew and changed in the past couple years. I really like how he always had his sense of humor though.
OMG I've just went back in time and met a newly-arrived Chris in Japan! This is the starting of a very long and wholesome journey!
It's been a long way then for Chris. This was when he just 2 month in Japan. And look now...9 years had passed!!
This man has come so far with his content in 8 years. I'm so glad that you haven't necessarily changed much in terms of personality over the years😂
Just want to say. Love your channel, your humour is hilarious. And thanks for the Anki tip! Starting to learn Kanji today after learning Hiragana and Katakana and Anki is amazing!!
The recent trip to Fuji series made me go back to the original Journey Across Japan, which made me backtrack to his previous vids. Love seeing the gradual change and refinement of your work, Chris. Keep it up! :D
I've binge watched your channel at least a dozen times over the past couple years but after finally reading the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy, I have a new appreciation for your sarcastic british humor. from one Chris to another, love you, and thanks for all the memories :)
Quite entertaining. I remember when my family moved to Japan in 1977. I was 11 years old. The culture shock seemed to never end. We lived there for 3 1/2 years. I have had a love affair with Japanese culture ever since.
Hi everyone let me explain what the "concrete floor" is. I am a Japanese and know "Katsuo no Tataki" which is really a raw Bonito fish slice lightly roasted/broiled over a flaming dried (rice) straws. Now "Tataki" is also a old traditional word for the area in Japanese house which is usually a "concrete floor" right before you step up on to Tatami floor . I had to think for a while and it hit me that whoever looked up "Tataki" in Japanese -English dictionary must have used it for different "Tataki" . i had to bend forward and support my both knees when it hit me. I almost sit down as it was so funny. You have to be Japanese to feel the impact of this great translation. :-D
So they should have some random algorithm there, that sets it to translate to smoked bonito or concrete floor 50% of the time.
"tataku", the verb, originally means to hit, blow, etc. so they're probably both derived from that.
@Kristen225
And the English language also has instances where the same exact word has totally different meanings depending on context.
@alex carter What exactly is it you dislike about English? Or were you just trying to be edgy and controversial?
I like how your videos are still very enjoyable even though the resolution and editing quality is not as great as today
Great series here! It really fills me with vim for a wee emigration to Nipon ;()
I have plenty of innovations that I think the Japanese market should like alot better than the bloody UK.... Maybe. Can U do a video on the ease of getting inventions manufactured in Japan, please? Thanks!
It’s so adorable how awkward he comes across in his first few video. Bloody love the blooper reel with the bird 🤣
I had to go back and watch all your videos. So far i am not disapointed
zorbratron so cool that he found and liked this comment 😄😁
Re-watching some of the old school Abroadin Japan videos! Still as funny 4 years later.
@Let's Draw hear, hear!
@Let's Draw how
Still funny 8 years 3 months later
You mean 8 years later
I am so confused.
(Especially because I ignored this channel for years and now it feels like digging gold)
The first time I went, as an athlete, we got in late, like almost midnight, and the people at the hotel were so nice, they had sashimi sandwiches for us. And my room-mate was so inspired by this kindness, that I got theirs too!
I'm watching this in the great 2020 quarantine.
I was there it wasn't that great
I’m watching this in 2021 and still quarantining
2021 quarantine crew reporting in
2021 Quarantine is here.
We're still in quarantine 😭😭😭
After listening to the podcast and watching your videos for a few years now, it was very funny to watch your first ever video! 😅😅 And it was a good one too! I just moved to Japan for university exchange and I have just released my first video from Japan. You are one of the biggest inspirations for me making videos, although I will never be as funny as you are... 😁
First time i went to watch your much older videos..while these are a lot older, your humour never gets old =)
Question(s) : How long did it take you to learn Japanese ? Did you know some of the language when you first started living in Japan? Or did you start living there with out knowing anything
I found your channel and so far I really like your videos. This one in particular reminded me my trip to India, the cultural shock was huge! the first day I just wanted to get back to my country!
Hey Chris,
I know from your videos that you overcome all the problems of living in Japan, which I'm truly amazed of. How did you dealt with all the bullshit that was thrown at you in the 1st place. You didn't know the language, everything was really annoying, you could not pay the bills. How did you stay sane? I would let my rage blow up at some point. Big respect for that m8. Regards from Poland.
Thx man, fantastic as ever, and always love the wry Brit 'sensibility'! BTW, with so much 'convenience', Japan must generate a helluva lotta 'packaging' waste... so how the heck does such a little island country _dispose_ of it all?!
i love your channel! sarcasm its life. discovered this video since apparently i seen all the rest and you look much better now. love the tips. ill be visiting japan towards end of march so im pretty excited. thanks again for all your work and offcourse all the humour
Hi, I love your videos. They remind me of the time I spent living in Japan. Just so you know, "bonito" means "pretty" or "beautiful" in spanish, but it's also the name of a kind of fish. I know because I'm from Spain, and "bonito" is a very typical fish here. Everybody eats it.
In all of your videos, you have excellent comedic timing. Love it.
Early-days Abroad in Japan videos have the same exact humor as current ones except filmed on a jitter cam. They’re great!
This video became a kind of tradition to me. I've got to watch it every once in a while. One of my favourites. Well done Chris.
@Abroadin Japan Decided to watch this again after awhile, were you forced to change the thumbnail? I thought the nude girl hair salon thing was hilarious.
Haha, thanks Luka - I'm honoured you make a regular pilgrimage here!
Watching this in 2020 really puts into perspective how far you've come. Video-wise and language-wise. :)
Watching this at the end of 2018...man oh man. What random, sarcastic and humble beginnings. Chris has now truly become a TheXvid star and has reached over 1 million subs!!
Recommended videos have done me right today Chris. I'm going to have to binge watch these videos because it's a fascinating transition having watched some more recent ones earlier. So, thanks for the content and sorry for being extremely late to the party!
i love him so much, i just found this really old yt video of him , holy crap that camera is so cool , it looks as if this was filmed in the 90s , i need that camera, it's so cool to see how much he grew over the years , lots of love from belgium
I just came to your channel and I have to say I think you inspired me to go ahead and start to learn Japanese. After maybe six months I think I would go ahead and go visit.
2019 and this video still gives me joy. love u chris. so relatable
I didn't know that you've been the comedian from the very beginning. Your videos are so funny even without much editing.
This was actually the video which brought me to your channel years ago. Fell in love with your videos ever since :D Funny how back then you thought the stamps were such a convenient thing and years later you decided they were annoying and outdated =)))
I hate it when my mugs stop working
Throwback to the Eric Andre Jack Black interview.
Yeah life is hard
And then you can't read the manual...
Yep, mine is at the repair shop right now.
I set them on fire.
You have come a long way. Kudos to you, Chris!
It's like watching David Brent's commentary about his first few days in Japan.
"a man hypnotizing a woman on national television in front of a large man dressed as a woman" sounds just like Italian TV back in the '90s.
How very true.
This is a show called “Out Deluxe” where zany, eccentric people come on as guests to introduce their quirks. This episode was about a hypnotist.
Pomeriggio 5 be like
@Henry Mellard probably "caduta libera".
What's that show where they drop people through the floor and sing buffalo soldier?
Having watched over 1 video I've Subscribed now and watched over 10 lol. I'm an American who has lived abroad in the UK and now curious about Japan lol. Keep up the great work, awesome videos. Best of luck to you!😁
I am in love with you, Chris. You are completely adorable and so damn humorous. I was checking out your oldest video to see if you have evolved much since your first video. And hah it was the same you! And you even lost some weight. I hope you will never grow old and that you will be adorable forever. I wish one day we will become friends and I can visit you in Japan. --Ben
Ahahahahaha I am loving this!!! Made my day to see Chris’s humor
Your video production was still pretty well made back 7 years ago. Awesome!
It's weird seeing such an early video. I might have to go to that hair saloon some day.
Those stamp things are a pretty cool idea. I've only recently heard about them.
Would buying an English internet Modem work in Japan?
Also, I'm happy that you lost weight in your later videos. I myself could stand to loose a good 15 pounds.
Gotta love vintage Abroad in Japan. I can’t believe it’s been 8 years already 🤯
When he says 'I feel like there's a barrier between me and the Japanese people', it's like the start of a love story: 'Before Chris met Natsuki' :)
Well, 8 years later I'm here (I came just by coincidence) and I'm watching this video. Honestly, I enjoy every second of it and I have real fun (of course all other videos on your channel are on my "Watch Later" list, definitely). Thank you!
You should definitely watch them now as opposed to later
5:55 Son unos de los Topgirls.Uno
15:55 Sun: ''Hotter''
15:55 Hopi: ''Sweeter''
15:55 Joonie: ''Cooler''
15:55 Yoongi: ''Butter''
15:55 Son unos de los mejores conciertos ,
, no puede ir pero de tan solo verlos desde pantalla, se que estuvo sorprendente...
I'm a British citizen and I've been one my entire life. However I was born abroad and I lived all my life abroad until the last three of my life. When I came to the UK for the first time I had my first experience of culture shock Ironically.
Yeah even I have that to be honest (despite having there all my life ha)
Hmmm thats a hard one. But I would have to say it was the people. It took me a while to understand what people were saying and what they meant. The use colloquial language had me confused for quite a bit.
What did you find shocked you the most?
Gotta understand that bird, Chris. He was definitely going through stage 2 of Culture Shock.
I'm going on a journey across Abroad in Japan since I discovered your channel about a month ago and now I can't get enough.
I find this totally accurate description of my first time at a conveyer belt sushi place to be insulting and libelous
i really like your channel!
ive decided i’ll watch all your videos sincethe first one! hehe
L o l
This was my first video I've ever seen of you l. Can't believe it's been 6 years. I'm saving up and getting ready to enroll into school so I can get my degree so I can enroll into JET and move to Japan. I'll be 30 when I'm ready and I know I have a late start but I know I can do it. These videos always gave me hope that I could one day myself move here. I'm so glad you made the best decision of your life and moved to Japan!
Hey I watched all your videos before traveling to Japan. I went and forgot all about how many 7/11s there were. When I left my apartment the first day to meet my landlord, I arrived I thought "Okay, take a right after I pass the 7/11", 15 minutes into the walk I passed three 7/11, which delayed my walk home.
One culture shock, I noticed was everybody wearing jackets and Blazers, in 80 degree weather. I looked out the window and thought "oh it might be a little chilly outside", I took about 5 steps outside, then went back inside to change into a thin shirt.
@Bobit's considered a very hot day in the Himalayas too xd typing this whilst in 3-foot deep snow while it's also snowing.
lou00006 actually I do that to. Like almost all the time when it's super hot an I'm not Asian. Its weird bc theres days that the heat will affect me and there's days that it doesn't.
UV protection clothes are really big in Japan, they're like thin jackets and shirts designed to keep the sun off. However, I also see both men and women wearing fleece lined hoodies and such in the summer. Meanwhile I'm running around in shorts and a tank top because it's bloody hot. I have no idea how they do it lol.
I think maybe the jackets thing is because lower body fat tends to feel more sensitive to colder temperatures?
@Abroadin Japan I'm a chinese born Australian kid. I do the same thing, wearing jackets in blazing heat. It makes me look real weird but I think it's an asian thing
Depending on your experience.
Stage 4:
a) social acceptance and integration.
b) refined, and arguably racist, expat hatred of the people and culture that you're actively drowning in, as you drink away your misery, and seek out nationalistic propaganda movies from home, as a form of ancestoral grief suppression.
Love the whole concrete floor dialogue, had me in tears !
To those of you that are struggling with basic sentences, I would recommend the book
"I'm learning Japanese! a language adventure for young people." helps with learning hiragana, stroke orders, and basic sentences and writing; with examples to help you.
Example:
ねこはにわにいます。
(The Cat is in the yard)
Then 'Kitsune-Sensei' will help you by explaining what each particle the sentence uses to give you a more understanding of what your reading, and what *it* means. Very fun to read and practice because there's pictures. instead of just plain text. yw hope this helps (in some way)
Then: 7-11 fried potatoes
Now: Family mart fried chicken
After 7 years 😂😂
@Ubayd Senpai noticed me
Haha he liked it 😂
i never knew japan had 11 days a week
Sarcasm! something u learn in the UK quickly.
Japan has evolved.
Only In Japan.
@Pius yes
VOLTA no
The difference between this and your latest videos is insane
I didn't really experience too much culture shock from being in Japan because I lived there as a kid.
Still come back to watch this when I need a good laugh :) Still my fav channel on youtube.
Mate I just found your videos tonight and I am having the time of my life with your commentary 😂
I have to say this video was made brilliantly!
Watching this video after 6y again and I laught so hard because I like ur way of being, u make good work Chris, keep it up :)
After almost 5 years this clip is still gold.. especially the intro
It feels weird binging chris's newer videos then this one appearing. It's like going backwards in time and seeing how far hes come :O
Rule one when moving to Japan, *LEARN THE LANGUAGE*. I can't stress that enough, it's the same for living in any country that doesn't natively speak your language. You will get on better, people will respect you more and would be generally more accepted into their society.
Akira Cooper How would a Japanese person respond to being served extremely expensive sushi....covered in ketchup? Not well...dude...not well at all. The Teriyaki sauce was an obvious hint that they wanted to violently assault me and i am lucky to have escaped with my life, and a few of their decorative napkins.....they may have been chasing me exclusively due to me taking the decorative napkins.....but i doubt it. They were all squinting at me really hard the second i walked into the restaurant....and they never stopped squinting even when i whipped my head around real fast to catch them not squinting at other people/me.....it was malicious squinting at it's worst. You would have been terrified.
You have way too much time on your hands, dude.
Akira Cooper I went to a Japanese steak house one time, what they call steak was a Teriyaki drenched nightmare......they know how much Americans love their beef, so what they did to that steak was an obvious example of their enduring disdain for our entire culture and way of life that stems from us nuking them. There is no other explanation for it.......dude.....it was a LOT of Teriyaki.....explain that away, i dare you.
Watched your Fukushima documentary and now binge watching rest of your content.. You're amazing Chris! Thanks for the great content!
Your humor is absolutely hilarious! Even the filming done, is not that kind of filming that makes you cringe because so many years have passed. Your style of filming it was pretty much like something from the 90s ahah and the music.. just amazing. Had a great time watching the video. You are a true comedian. We learn and laugh all the way through the video. Just genious.
Hey Chris! Not sure if you'll see this but I really enjoy your video's. I often hear a lot of aesthetically pleasing music in them like at 1:10 and I was wondering where I could find music like this?
A small kitchen is something we share (I realize this is an old video, so you more than likely live somewhere else in Japan now, but let's ignore that for just a second) and, honestly, if not for my roommate offering to cook dinner most nights, I'd probably eat out more myself, especially since, after moving to my new house, even though many of the better conveniences I had at my old house aren't around here, there is a Pizza Hut, as well as Sushi place and Indian restaurant not too far away, so I could literally eat out almost every night if I really wanted to