It is always interesting to experience a different culture and interact with people in other countries. However, after moving to Japan, I realized that I have become so used to Japanese culture that when I encounter people in other countries, I could not help but compare their behavior to people in Japan.
A major cultural difference I noticed comparing Japan and other countries is the service I receive in a business establishment. Although I have heard horror stories about Japanese customer service from both Japanese and foreigners, customer service in Tokyo is, generally, polite and reliable. Because of the quality service that I have experienced in the past, I could often be at ease with the customer service without having to worry about getting the short end of the stick. And I have gotten so used to this standard of service that anything less has become unsatisfactory.
But on the other hand, I also enjoy the casual approach of customer service employees of other countries. To foreigners, Japanese employees may seem cold and robotic because most people ask the same routine questions and do the same routine actions in the same kind of way. Good service in North America is characterized by not only being reliable but also being friendly. Customers in the United States expect to be greeted with a “Hi! How are you?” accompanied by a pleasant smile. So if you are interacting with a foreign customer or client, feel free to smile and be friendly! It might make their day!