If you'll bear with me, I'm going to tie that massive amount of people at Disneyland in with something that happened to me a couple of months ago. What you must understand is that the cultural difference between Americans and the Japanese is huge. Their crime rate is very low here, and part of the reason for that (in my opinion) is how highly they regard honor. For instance, if a young adult walks into a 7-Eleven here and attempts to buy alcohol, they are not going to get carded. Here, if you're buying it, then you are of age to drink it. Honor. Also, I left my iPhone in a restaurant at Disneyland. Someone found it, turned it off, and turned it in to lost and found. Honor. The Japanese also have impeccable manners. However, as I learned, the meaning of manners is not definitive. Each different culture has their own version of manners. That brings me to a couple of months ago. There is this market not very far from where we live that I had been wanting to try. Fresh fruits and veggies can be very expensive on post, and everyone said that the prices are much better off post. They are, by the way. I wasn't sure where parking was for the market, and Jeremy asked around for me. We were told that there is a parking lot right behind the market. I went to the market, and, sure enough, there was a parking lot behind it, and behind that parking lot was another tiny parking lot. I wasn't quite positive where I should park, but I went with the one directly behind the market because that made the most sense to me. The lot was empty, except for my car and one other.
I did my shopping. This market is small, but full of good stuff. Some of these fruits and veggies I had never even seen before! I walked back to my car only to find that the one other car in the lot had moved and was blocking me in. This Japanese man that looked to be in his 50's comes out of the next closest building and tells me that I'm not allowed to park there. Yes, he did speak English. Now, I'm from Mississippi, and southerners are known for our manners and our hospitality. I said, "I'm sorry, sir, I didn't know." He said he called the "Japanese police," and that I'd "have to pay." I said, "Okay, sir, I'll pay. I'm sorry." I knew very well that I was in the wrong, and when you're wrong, the best thing to do is admit it and apologize. So I did. Repeatedly. He was standing very close to me, which was a little unnecessary. That's the thing about cultural differences, though, in Japan, it is not bad manners to stand very close to someone. I mean, he was definitely in my bubble! He repeated himself about the police, and then told me this: "It's always the same with you Americans. You are all the same! You say, 'What does it matter? I'll only be 5 minutes.' Five minutes is too long! You cannot park here. You Americans! You are all the same! No manners! No! Bad manners! You have very bad manners!" Keep in mind, during the entirety of his tirade, any time he would pause, I would say, "I'm sorry sir. I will pay. I know it's my fault." Back home, I wouldn't have been so nice about it. Here, though, I am a guest in their country. I represent not just myself, but my husband, the army, and the USA. Yeah, this one girl from Mississippi does actually represent all those things every time I leave post. It's crazy!
The man did eventually let me go before the police arrived. I figured that he probably gets sick of Americans parking where they're not supposed to. I was understandably a bit shaken after that encounter, but feel like it was a lesson learned. I'll just look for the pay to park signs off post from now on. Problem solved! Remember the massive amount of people at Disneyland from earlier? I can honestly say that honor and manners do not apply at Disneyland. Yes, my phone wasn't stolen, but beyond that, it was a free-for-all! These people would run right into you, and not even acknowledge it. There weren't any apologies for their behavior, either. I didn't notice any difference between the adults and the children. They push and shove you right out of their way. They jump in line in front of you and don't even care. I have never, in my life, seen so many rude, obnoxious, people in one place before. That includes Mardi Gras. In New Orleans.
Don't get me wrong. We loved Disneyland! Even the rudeness of the guests was not enough to overpower the magic that is Disney! What I guess I am trying to say, what I wish I could say to that man is this: No, sir, not all Americans are alike. Are you just like those crazy people at Disneyland? Do you just abandon your manners at first sight of The Mouse? Yes, sir, I do have manners. I was born and raised in Mississippi: I respect my elders. I say yes ma'am, no sir, please, and thank you. I will hold the door open for the next person, and help you pick something up that you have dropped. I will say a prayer for those in need even if I don't know them. I am more than just an American, I am a Southern Lady. I am sorry that you've had problems with Americans in the past, but just as I don't judge you for the behavior of all of those Japanese in Disneyland, you should not judge all Americans based on the actions of a few.
Whew! I've been holding that in for too long! Isn't it funny, though? Everyday in my news feed on Facebook, I hear about race relations. I hear how this person must be racist because...and that person because... Over here on the other side of the world, though, all Americans are the same. That man didn't call me white, he called me American. It seems like everyone should stop concerning themselves so much with the color of their skin, and start being more concerned with being American. I'd even go so far as to say that we should start being GOOD Americans. I'm not going to expand any farther on that, though. This is not the outlet in which I choose to preach my politics. I'm just giving a little food for thought.
On to new business! Jeremy is in the states right now. I wonder if military spouses ever get used to the frequent separations from their love. I am not sure that I will. The house is so empty without him here. I have no one to cook for every night. The cats are starting to feel it, too! Scrappy wanders through the house "crying" periodically. It's the saddest sound. It this meow that so mournful it pulls at my heart strings. And Snowflake? She doesn't get out of bed much. When she's awake, she's all over me. If I'm asleep on my back, I'll wake up with her on my chest. It's cute, but sad, too, because she didn't do it when Jeremy was here. They both have to be right next to me in the bed every night. I'm beginning to wonder if that is why I can't get rid of this cold! I can't blame, them, though. I have been pretty down in the dumps since Jeremy left, too. It's hard for me to get motivated, but I'm trying to make myself get at least one thing accomplished everyday.
The good news is that Jeremy will be home for our anniversary! I'm so excited for that! I know that part of what I signed on for with this life is that Jeremy will miss birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays, so that makes him being here for our first anniversary that much sweeter! I have a plan for what we'll do developing in my mind, but I'm going to keep it a secret. I can't have him reading this and spoiling my surprise for him!
As far as the new year, I did not make any resolutions. I don't ever keep them, and I feel horrible about myself when I fail. All I want from this upcoming year is to make it through it! It's going to be a long one with Jeremy gone for most of it. There are things that I want to get done while Jeremy is away, but I'm not calling those resolutions. They are more like time fillers until he gets home.
I hope that every one's year is off to a great start, and I am looking forward to keeping you all posted on what's new on my side of the world throughout the year!
