An Experience of Culture Shock -- Meri Obara

  The most shocking thing that I have experienced in New Zealand is leaving dish soap foam on dishes or plates after washing them. My host family doesn't always rinse detergent foam off, even if there is big foam on the plates. In Japan, people wash dish soap foam from plates with water. 

 4 years ago, my friend who studied in Ireland also experienced that her host family kept detergent foam on plates after washing them. It was a culture shock for her and she told me about it. So, I had thought that it was just Irish culture. However, there are the same customs in New Zealand. When I faced it here, I was very surprised. 

 Of course, I tried to deal with my culture shock. For instance, I talked about leaving dish soap foam on plates with my friends from Asian countries. They were also confused when they faced it for the first time. But from their point of view, this custom has come from attitudes toward water conservation. After listening to their explanation, I was able to understand the reason and I could become less intolerant of it.

 Unfortunately, I haven’t overcome the culture shock yet. Although I still feel uncomfortable and different, I have tried to get used to it and follow my host family’s custom with the mindset -“When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. And I just hope that the dish soap is harmless to my health.

Comments

  1. Hanako IwatsukiAugust 14, 2025 at 3:57 PM

    I was surprised to it as well! "When in Rome, do as Romans do", it is the most important to adapt in New Zealand's culture and get along with Kiwi people.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MilaeAugust 14, 2025 at 4:20 PM

    I feel you. It was also surprising to me as well. But these days, I think many families use dishwasher :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Chompunud (New)August 14, 2025 at 4:22 PM

    Hello, Meri, I had the same experience as you. Therefore, at first, it was quite shocking for me as well. However, I hope we can overcome this together.😊

    ReplyDelete
  4. Miyu TOKUMOTOAugust 14, 2025 at 4:22 PM

    I was surprised as well. I sometime wash dishes again when my host family is away.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Keigo TominagaAugust 14, 2025 at 4:45 PM

    I like your philosophy.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Aoi MatsumotoAugust 14, 2025 at 4:46 PM

    I agree with it!
    I think they need to wash dishes more

    ReplyDelete
  7. David WoodfieldAugust 14, 2025 at 4:49 PM

    There is light at the end of the tunnel re. this one. Over time more Kiwi families are installing dishwashers which have a process through which dishes are thoroughly rinsed.
    David :-)

    ReplyDelete

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