Post 2: 5 Things to Consider Before Moving to Tokyo (or similar)

In response to my first blog post (which you can read here) I received many comments about how my son and I live in Japan. “Why did you move there?” “I am so jealous!” “I wish I lived in Japan…”

1.) The move was work-related and partly for my son’s education. The company opened a new branch in Tokyo, and as one of the few existing employees that could speak business level Japanese, I offered to go. Despite my complaints, I do work well with my new boss, and the head of the company recognises that fact. I also think getting a wider perspective of the world will help my son broaden his horizons. In England, where we used to live, he spent a lot of time alone in his room reading books and studying. Since he can not read Japanese for the most part, he is now forced to open up, even if just a little. The selection of English books in the bookshops here is limited and mostly fictional, which my son has little interest in. Ordering books from abroad takes money, of which I still have control, and time.

2.) Honestly, Japan is overrated. A lot of people want to go because anime and J-pop and all that popular culture crap. But the heart of Asia is Hong Kong. Followed closely by the tranquil village that my grandmother resided in. On social media Japan is hyped up to be this amazing place, but many don’t realise how hard it is to live in Tokyo.

So without further ado, I present you a few things I noticed about living in Tokyo that I wish I had known before deciding to live here:

1. It is expensive. Rent alone is enough to wipe out most of my salary. Eating out can be reasonable, as long as you are willing to sacrifice quality.
2. Beauty standards. As a half breed westerner, my son is stared at. He of course has dark hair hand most of his features are Asian, but nonetheless, girls seem to flaunt at him (much to his annoyance, at least, when he notices). I don’t think it is healthy for his ego and am worried he will become arrogant due to the praise he receives daily. His social skills are so poor, that he would not know when to suppress such inappropriate statements.
3. Language difficulties. Japanese is not an easy language, especially when you take into account the writing script. I have an advantage, as I can read most of the kanji. My son, as I have previously mentioned, has great issue with the syllabaries. I hoped his interest in this girl would encourage him to make an effort, but apparently not. I find a lot of the formalities of the language laborious. Everything is so polite and thus long winded. I have better things to spend my time on than unnecessary words.
4. This could be added to language difficulties, I guess, but it deserves a point of its own. Honorifics. Since I am not Japanese, I am very careful with the honorifics that are supposed to be used. Which results in my being overly polite to the idiotic new assistant. Not only am I being overly polite, but my son is being overtly rude. He has dropped all honorifics with a person - and by person I mean this girl he won’t stop mentioning -  he has known for a week. But since he isn’t Japanese I guess this can be excused. However I suspect that whenever he is speaking to his superiors, any honorifics used are purely sarcastic.
   Similar to my boss. He addresses me as Lynn. Just Lynn. I don’t know if it is because I am foreign, but I think I deserve some respect. Though as my boss is also foreign, I wonder if it is just his ignorance… Or laziness.
5. Although it is not an issue for me, some people may find driving on the correct side of the road an issue. Also, many of the roads are narrower than I have found in other countries. Fortunately my son is too young to drive in this country. He is too reckless to be allowed control over a two tonne vehicle. Fortunately, the public transport system is efficient and comprehen sive. This has also prevented me from being forced into being a gentleman and giving the new assistant a lift home. The boss did think about suggesting it.

Since my Japanese cuisine attempt was oh so successful, I will be attempting it again this evening. I shall keep you all updated.

Love,

Lynn