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Chapter 164. [When In Rome, Do As The Romans Do]

<<Nnnnaaaahhh!?>>

I had collapsed. 

The trouble occurred right after we decided on the rules for our life. 

The furniture we had ordered was getting delivered, and workers were bringing it into the room one by one. 

I had left the instructions for placement to Angu Ogu.

<<Hey, Ogu!? Everyone's just walking in with their shoes on, right!?>>

<<Huh? Is that..... Is that not okay!?>>

<<No, no, didn't we decide on 'no shoes inside' a while ago!?>>

<<Whaaat!? Does that apply to everyone, not just us!?>>

<<It's common sense, you know!?>>

<<Ah... Well, you're right. Sorry about that. I guess I misunderstood, even though I used to live in Japan.>>

Ango apologized, but I was bewildered. What other interpretation could there be? 

However, when I asked, I realized she wasn't at fault. 

I had unilaterally assumed my own "common sense".

<<Actually, in America, even if we say 'no shoes inside,' it's often not enforced on guests. Of course, it depends on the region, but...>>

<<Huh, really!? But won't the room get dirty normally?>>

<<I think it's a different way of thinking about it. It's not about 'no shoes inside' to keep the room clean, but it's 'no shoes inside' to welcome guests in a clean state.>>

<<... I see.>>

What's important isn't that the room is clean, but the guests feel good. 

To achieve that, they avoid dirtying the place by taking their shoes off. 

When you look at it this way, imposing the "no shoes inside" rule on others becomes contradictory. 

No one feels better getting forced to do something.

On the other hand, in Japan, it's about keeping the house clean or being careful not to dirty someone else's house. 

In this way, even though it's the same "no shoes inside" rule, the philosophies are opposite. 

Perhaps this is influenced by American home party culture—the idea of entertaining guests at home.

<<Oh, sorry, Ogu. It's my fault.>>

<<Wh-why are you apologizing, Iroha!? It's okay, just wait. I'll tell them to take off their shoes right away.>>

<<No, it's fine, Ogu. Let's leave it as it is.>>

<<Huh? But...>>

<<Maybe it's a case of 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do'. There isn't even a proper entrance or a 'genkan' here, after all.>>

It's just a difference in culture. 

And this is America.

In that case, it's not me but them who are right. 

Actually, I was trying to impose my country's rules on others.

This is a moment of reflection. 

I should follow its rules once I decide to live in a country. 

<<Besides, good or bad, I won't know until you try it.>>

That applies not just to countries but also to schools and workplaces.

When I become part of something, rules get established for various reasons and traditions. 

It's not a good idea to deny, reject, or try to change them without understanding them. 

But that doesn't mean turning a blind eye to wrongdoing... 

Or, even if you realize it's wrong, not trying to change it is also a problem.

<<Are you sure about this?>>

<<Actually, it was a great opportunity to realize. 'Embracing foreign cultures is more advantageous than rejecting them, as they say!>>

I thought. 

When Angu Ogu visited Japan, she challenged everything at first.

<<Ogu respected Japanese culture. Now it's my turn. Besides, taking off and putting on shoes while carrying luggage is actually quite challenging, isn't it>>

I laughed, saying, "Isn't this the American way?", right?

Through this life, I would deepen my understanding of VTubers living in America.

<<Well, we can clean it, if it gets dirty.>>

<<Yeah, they even sell carpet shampoo.>>

<<Wow, they have that too?>>

Perhaps it's unique to the culture of wearing shoes indoors.

There are still many things I don't understand. But I'll get used to them eventually.

<<But Japan is peculiar in its way. After all, hotels are fine with shoes, right?>>

<<Ah, I see. That perspective works.>>

In fact, that interpretation felt more comfortable for me. 

With that view, living with shoes on didn't seem too bothersome.

<<Well, I'd probably take off my shoes when I go to bed.>>

<<Huh? I think in America, most people take off their shoes when they sleep, right?>>

<<Really? But in movies...>>

<<What era are you talking about? Well, I won't say there aren't people like that. There are plenty of houses in America where you're supposed to take off your shoes.>>

<<Oh, really?>>

<<So, I think they'd probably take them off too.>>

<<Huh, huh!? Uh, excuse me, delivery people! Is it okay if you take off your shoes after all?>>

<<I think it's a bit too late now.>>

It seems there's still much I don't know about American culture. 

I'm constantly got reminded that there are many things I can't learn just through language alone.

***

The sun had reached its zenith. 

Angu Ogu let out a sudden "Ah!", exclamation.

<<It's about lunch break, so I should bring some coffee and doughnuts.>>

<<Come to think of it, did you buy something at the airport? Was it for this occasion?>>

I joined AngU Ogu in distributing coffee and doughnuts to the workers.  This was just like a tip, although we also gave actual tips, according to her, 

In Japan, it's not mandatory to serve tea to guests, especially not to service workers, so this was another cultural difference.

Well, tipping itself seems to be a form of etiquette. 

I pondered this while munching on a doughnut.

<<Whew!? It's so sweet!>>

<<Hahaha, American sweets are really sweet. Ah, this taste brings back memories.>>

I quickly took a sip of my coffee. 

I was quite surprised—it felt like I was being initiated into American culture.

While chatting with Angu Ogu like this, one of the workers cheerfully approached us, for some reason using a tone you might use when petting a cat.

<<Hey there, ladies. It must be tough preparing for a move with just the two of you. Where are your mom and dad?>>

<<...Oh.>>

<<Judging people by their appearance is a breach of etiquette. I'm a proper grown-up lady, you know!>>

<<Hahaha. You got me there. It was definitely rude to assume that. So, let me ask the lady, which one is your dad and which one is your mom?>>

<<It's not like that!>>

Angu Ogu was getting completely underestimated.

She's like a child trying to act like an adult. 

I chuckled and intervened.

<<Haha, I assure you, she's not as young as she looks. We're the ones who made the arrangements, so we know what's going on. So, you mustn't slack off now, okay?>>

I said it with a playful tone. 

The worker looked at me in astonishment and opened his mouth in surprise.

<<...Impressive. What polite English you speak. Were you her guardian? Are you perhaps Japanese? I've heard you look young, but this is something else.>>

<<Huh? Oh, no, it's not like that.>>

<<Young lady, you have quite the big sister. Dignity is something that overflows from within, not just an external appearance.>>

<<What do you mean~!? I'm actually the older one here~!>>

Angu Ogu got angry and made a comical face. 

The worker laughed and brushed it off as if calming a child.

***

As we continued chatting, the workers finished their work. 

Our belongings from Japan had also arrived, and the room was filled with cardboard boxes.

<<This is going to be a long process.>>

<<Yeah. So, before that, let's have lunch!>>

I nodded vigorously, signaling my agreement.