3weeks have passed since I came to the U.S.

I came to here in Chicago three weeks ago for a business trip. Time flies.

On weekdays, I go to the office in Chicago, and I sometimes visit other States for business trips. On the other hand on weekends, I go sightseeing and eat something fancy. Today I gonna tell you what's in my mind now about the cultural difference so far.

What's the relationship between me and foreign countries, especially the U.S.?

I was born and raised in Japan. I studied English hard at school, and had a chance to go to a conversation school for a year. I also studied English in New Zealand when I was in a university for 2 months. Just it. But I do like traveling abroad and I've been to 21 countries so far. I'd like to visit 50 countries until I die. Speaking of the U.S., this is my first time to visit. I'm so excited to be here and with American culture like I saw in movies.

Communication Culture

Say hello to everyone, literally.

When passing each other in a hotel lobby or an office and even while walking down a street, people say hello to everyone. Sometimes it becomes "Good morning" or "Have a good day". This is an awesome culture I think.

Praise others often

I can't count the number of being said "I like your outfit" in a street or a shop. American people often praise others. I heard It's not flattery. Feel good.

Driving Culture

They are impatient

As soon as it turns green, the driver behind me honks its horn. Furthermore, in Chicago, there is a traffic rule that says you can turn right even on a red light. When I stop to check if I can make a right turn, the person behind me urges me to turn quickly.

Not trying to ease traffic congestion on highways

Americans change lanes very often on highways. Even when there is traffic congestion and changing lanes will not make much difference in arrival time, they find a small gap and change lanes. In Japan, when a traffic jam occurs on an expressway, it is said that driving with a safe space between cars and avoiding stepping on the brake as much as possible is the best way to alleviate the jam. Americans step on the brake more often.

I still love these cultures in the U.S. I'm really happy to stay in a different country. Actually I don't want to go back to Japan. How can I do that? I'm seriously thinking about it.