North American Customs

Custom #2: Saying ''Bless You'' after someone sneezes.

In Japan, most people seem to try and ignore when someone sneezes, but in Canada it is polite to say ``Bless You`` to the person after they sneeze. There are many possible reasons for why this custom began and you can easily research them on wikipedia!

One reason that I personnally enjoy is that sneezing use to be early signs of the bubonic plague (a disease) and blessing the person was an effort to try and rid them of the disease, basically wishing that they won`t die. Although people today sneeze due to less serious reasons (allergy, cold, etc..), it is still seen as a kind gesture! So please say ``bless you`` after someone sneezes and people will think that you are very polite!!

Summer Slang

It`s a SCORCHER outside.

This sentence means that it is extremely hot outside.

Shaved Ice is So Nice!

It sure is a scorcher out there! Luckily we made some shaved ice for playschool to cool down today. Along with the amazing "ice in a can" invention we mentioned on an earlier blog, it seems we're prepared to beat the heat here at RLE!

Tongue Twister of the Week

Cows graze in groves on grass which grows in groves.

Riddle of the Day!

What can you catch, but not throw??

Answer: A cold and I caught one :(

North American Customs

Just to be clear, a custom means a common practice; the usual way of acting in certain situations. Most of the customs we will explain will come from the differences we have notices while travelling in Japan, but if you have any suggestions, or something you want explained, please comment with your suggestion!!

Custom #1: Canadians don`t fall asleep in public.
A very early observation any foreigner visiting Japan will notice is that Japanese can fall asleep anywhere! This is because it is very common in Japan to fall asleep while commuting on the trains. In Canada, falling asleep on a long car, bus or plane trip is also acceptable, but in almost every other situation it is not really common. For example, at the dinner table, at a friend`s house or on a bench in a public place is not really forbidden however, most people would think it is a little stange and perhaps a bit rude.

Amazing Invention!

I tell you, this heat is quite exhausting. Especially for someone coming from Canada, where we only get this kind of heat during a heat wave. Luckily there are so many awesome inventions in Japan to stay cool, such as ice in a can. Ice! In a CAN! I couldn't believe it when I first saw it, but I'm sure glad I found out about it because it has definitely saved me from passing out from the heat a couple times in the past few weeks.

What other ways do you know of to stay cool in this intense heat? I've seen many people wearing strange ice packs around their necks, instead of a towel which most Japanese people seem to never leave home without. Any helpful tips are appreciated! Come by and tell me how to survive August in Japan!