Of Culture Shock and…Toilets?

My son has joined me here in San Diego, and we’re having fun doing father-and-son stuff together in the States. I’ve enjoyed observing the culture shock he experiences while being back in the U.S. after several months, from ordering a large drink at McDonald’s and receiving what can only be described as a “bucket” of iced tea to constantly trying to get into the car from the wrong side when we go somewhere (since Japan drives on the left-hand side of the road). It’s an especially free feeling to be zooming around San Diego on wide, speedy freeways — most driving done in Japan is on normal roads at frustratingly low speeds, with freeways used only infrequently, in part because it costs $25 in tolls for us to drive the 100 km to Tokyo. One observation my son made was that using toilets in America feels like going back in time, and I had to agree: most toilets in Japan are extremely high-tech, with features like a gentle stream of water that washes your butt for you.

My son had culture shock about toilets. I’ve had worse.