Levels of Acclimation

[homasse]

I realized today that I'm going through another level of acclimatization (dude, is that even a word?) here in Japan after two years. It's a different sort of change than before, and deeper in a lot of ways. And my guess is, because of this, going back to America for any length of time will be more difficult

Comments

[ryuneko]

now you have to deal with shoulder envy.... how to balance....

((haha))

I said hello to the lady who sweeps the stoop at my apartment this morning and she curtsied.

[emmabovary]

I really liked your post because you point out all the subtle changes that you have been experiencing in your time as an expat. It is all-too-easy to state the obvious and you avoid that. Thanks.

Yes, the longer you stay, the harder it is to go back "home". And the more your fellow americans will bug you when you do go home.

[dyfferent]

Damn right. People get on my nerves in a huge way when I visit home.

[jennizane]

I completely relate to what you're saying. Apparently, according to my friends back home (California), I speak softer now and wow how loud are Americans?

Also, recently, I've noticed that I have begun to sometimes think in Dutch first, instead of English. It feels strange.

I think the subtleties take over a little by little, until it is a whole new you within you that you didnt even see until others point it out first.

That is interesting about the bag thing. I never thought about it before, but you're right, I instinctively carry it on my left side. Why is that?

[ryuneko]

YES !

that is so weird when you start to use the "second" language first.

have you dreamt in Dutch already as well ?

[jennizane]

It is weird! It seems to happen more and more.

No dreams in Dutch yet, sometimes in Spanish though. But I grew up hearing Spanish around me...only that I don't speak it. But I hear it perfectly crisp in dreams!

[ktnflag]

Off topic here, but I like your icon. I used to live in Victoria and I'd pass those signs all the time. :-)

[cottontimer]

I don't know about the shoulder thing because I've always had my bag on my right shoulder and same with my husband (we're Chinese-American)....

But, my sister always points it out when I say "ne" or make some other Japanese affirmative sound. What does she expect? We've been in Japan for over four years!!