My husband and I, though not Japanese, have that same "
overly-concern" of noise or disturbing family/neighbors.
Infact we've joked (sort of) that we've had some type of Oriental past-life together. It's a repetitive dream, where I am not to speak, serving or laying out plates with my fingers tucked in so I was using my knuckles basically and it was almost a ritual of art as I did this. Each plate had to be turned so many times in a certain direction. I remember it had to be perfect and I was trained.
I also agree,
SO much about politeness and cultures! The Japanese have such a very lovely clulture, both my husband and I enjoy many aspects of it.
We went to a fair, and you're right, people just bump right into you and can even look for that "
bump" to start a fight
My father taught in Thailand for 3 yrs. He too said the culture was very different from American. They were overly attentive to your comfort and needs, very polite, etc. whereas here, it's more about the "I."
I am in love with the aspect of the younger generation
respecting and
caring for their elders, whereas here, in America, I find they are disrespectful. I just don't feel that's the proper way to go about all of those years and wisdom our parents and grandparents carry within them!