What I Wish I Had Known About Kiwi Culture -- Usa Yamagami

    Actually, I am mostly satisfied with my lifestyle now, so I don't have too many regrets that I wish I had known about. But I dare to mention... 

 

①Dunedin has sometimes too windy days. My folding umbrella sometimes is overturned because of wind and rain. So I regretted that I think I should bring a raincoat from Japan. 

② In Dunedin, the way to see a doctor is different from that in Japan. In Japan, when we have a cold, we can go to the hospital and could see a specialist almost whenever. But in Dunedin, I needed an appointment to go to the hospital and had to wait at least a few days. And I could not see a specialist other than an emergency. I have already used my throat cold medicine for almost everything, so I am worried about the next time that I have a cold. I should have brought more medicines from Japan in larger quantities. 

③ Dunedin has few buses. And now, due to the driver's illness, the bus is less than normal. We can know the day's bus schedule at the only internet site. So I sometimes don't notice the bus is reduced. I should have had the custom of checking the bus schedule. 

④ Almost Dunedin's people go to bed very early. When I was in Japan, it was earlier than usual if I go to bed at 0 o'clock. But now, my host mother says 0 o'clock is so late for me. I should have had the custom that getting to bed earlier. 

⑤My host mother told me that drying umbrellas indoors is bad luck. I was surprised at the cultural difference because in Japan drying umbrellas indoors is normal. 

⑥ I often say "sorry" but my host mother says why are you saying sorry although you didn't do bad things. I think this is a problem with the Japanese character. 

⑦ In Dunedin, we don't have the announce of "next stop is ~" on the bus. I am afraid that if I missed the stop where I get off. 

⑧ My host mother told me not to use tissues too much. Is it more expensive than in Japan? In Japan, I used tissues immediately, so it is a little difficult to correct this habit. 

 

    There are many cultural differences, but I will enjoy living here.