The Norms of a Culture

From one country to another, individuals live their lives daily according to the culture they were brought up in. Culture is the “language, beliefs, values, norms, behaviors, and even material objects that are passed from one generation to the next” (Henslin, 2012, p. 36). In a group situation, norms are the “expectations (or rules of behavior) that develop out of groups values” (Henslin, 2012, p. 45). We all develop and learn the “norms” of our culture from the time we were born, as we grow up, and from living day by day with individuals of the same culture. Norms become second nature to us and we immediately recognize someone or a group of people who do not fit the “norm.” Some individuals experience what is called “culture shock” when they enter a different culture and have to learn the cultures values, norms, behaviors, beliefs, and language in order to effectively communicate and feel acknowledged and welcomed into their culture. 

 In America, we are all familiar with our culture we live in. As being full Japanese, I have experienced a new type of culture. My grandmother is a very faithful and respectful individual who believes that we should appreciate everything in life that comes our way, to always give and not expect to receive, and to always welcome in outsiders with open arms. As being brought up in America, the “norm” when eating dinner is my father, mother, brother, and I sitting at a dinner table eating our meal and having “story time” with the rest of the family. Some days when there are important football games on the TV or a special event that is being broadcasted, my family and I would sit in front of the TV and eat dinner and watch the broadcasting together. My grandmother lives in America however she lives her daily life by the Japanese culture. 

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2005.html

 In Japanese culture, before eating you say “itadakimasu” which means, “I gratefully receive” in honor of the food that you have before you. When you have finished your meal, you say, “gochisosama (deshita)” which means “Thank you for the meal” which shows appreciation for the delicious meal and the hard work that has been put into it. When eating at Japanese restaurants or in a Japanese home, nobody get’s their own dish, everyone shares. “It is not uncommon in private households and in certain restaurants to share several dishes of food at the table rather than serving each person an individual dish” (Japanese Table Manners). In Japanese restaurants, the norm is to eat with chopsticks, which are two wooden pieces that need to be taken apart, rub them together to get rid of the splinters, and then used to eat your meal. The use of chopsticks is the biggest element of Japanese table manners. If an individual does not know how to use chopsticks, then he or she will need to ask for another type of utensil because at a Japanese restaurant, all table settings have chopsticks.

                                          

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2006.html

 Is there a proper way of eating your food? In Japanese culture there is. There is a certain way to eat rice, sushi, sahimi, miso soup, noodles, kare raisu (chicken katsu), fried tempura, and tofu. When eating at a Japanese restaurant, because it is the “norm,” it is expected that you know how to properly eat your food. At home and in restaurants, Japanese people kneel on cushioned pillows located on the floor and eat their meals off of low tables. 

 If you walked into a Japanese restaurant or a Japanese home, would it be different for you to only use chopsticks, eat while kneeling on the floor, and say “itadakimasu” and “gochisosama (deshita) before and after eating?

References:
Henslin, J. M. (2012). Sociology a Down-to-Earth Approach (11th ed.).

"Japanese Table Manners." Japanese Table Manners. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013.
     http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2005.html