今日はホテルまで歩いて帰る破目に。予約したはずのホテルのシャトルバスが迎えに来ないのさ。２度連絡してもついに迎えに来てくれなかった。そんなわけで歩道を歩いてると、突然車が寄られた。アメリカに住む韓国人だった。
「日本人でしょ？おなじ会社の者だから乗っていく？」
親切にもホテルまで乗せていってくれた。まあこんなことはアメリカではよくあること。ただ日本だとここまで単調にはいかない。顔見知りでも互いにある程度の仲間意識がなければ遠慮するだろう。決して冷たくしてるわけじゃないんだけどね。恥ずかしいというのを筆頭に日本人らしさが浮き彫りになったりする。面白いのは、そんな日本人でもアメリカに住み始めれば、この韓国人の男性と同じような行動をとる。「郷に入りては郷に従え」に似てるのかな。それよりもそれぞれの国が持つその空気感が人を変えると思う。
Today we had to walk to go back to the hotel after work. Because the shuttle bus never showed up. We called them twice but it never came. So when we were walking down the sidewalk, this guy originally from Korea pulled over to the side of the road.
「Hey, you guys from Japan, right? I'm your co-worker. Get in. 」
So he's kind enough to take us to the hotel even though we meet each other for the first time. I know it's just normal things in the US. It happens all the time. But in Japan, you don't really have this kinda opportunity unless you know them(they know you) a little better. It doesn't mean we don't want to. I think it's something to do with shy, hesitate, modest, reserved attitude or we just don't feel that free.... But interesting point is that we will be like this Korean guy if we live here in the US. When in Rome, do as the Romans do？ But I think it's more like the air, atmosphere of each country can change people's attitude.
You shouldn't be surprised Mr. RunnyRunny999. You should come to Texas, in here we all smile at each other and say hi even if we are walking down the street. They call it "Southern Hospitality". My aunt lived in California for a long time and it was weird for her to see that.
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