As an American teenager, I have to agree about the parties. Granted I never been to one-even if I was invited I would go because I don’t drink-and the music is annoyingly loud and people do get stupid drunk. I’m sure shows like “The Jersey Shore” don’t help our rep either. The parties I’ve been too have been very laid back with music at a normal level and no alcohol, granted the parents were there but my friends and I would drink anyway. I hate to say it, and I tell myself this isn’t true… there is this “I can what ever I want attitude”, but that’s really only a handful of bad kids who give everyone else a bad rep. In fact, the only class there’s really that attitude problem is my math and spanish class. Not that we’re goody goodies at FLHS. However, the fact that we are aloud to express ourselves is key to surviving in school, and there are so many different options and ways kids can excel. It can be a beautiful experience.

side note: I don’t like loud music and crowded places, so I’ll go with Japanese style party

Glad I could help you out =)

I was actually gonna write something about Japan’s history with emperors and feudal lords but I didn’t want to make this post any longer. But like you brought up, in addition to being isolated from other countries, Japan has a history of subservience to a ruler by tradition or divine right. After the revolution, America on the other hand has a history of advocating freedom, with individuals being able to live as they want and vote on their leader.

In the past in Japan, you were loyal to a lord, much like the people around you, and as such you knew your role was much like any other. That could play a part in the social niceties. I like to think that it’s a part of the “we’re all in this together” mentality rather than “one stands above all” mentality praised in American culture.

I think that the two conflicts are best seen in a manga entitled “Liar Game” where the main character grows to learn that the best strategy is for no one person to win everything, but for everyone to pull together so that no one loses, but no one wins.

It is amazing how different the two countries are…I honestly can’t think of very many similarities they have besides similarities for people in general. But despite this, Americans are becoming more enamored with Japanese culture and many Japanese have always loved certain aspects of American culture.

I personally can’t stand obnoxious parties with music blasting so loud it obviously disturbs the neighbors and you can’t even hear the person you’re talking too. Plus people more often than not get drunk and become terribly irresponsible. However, though I like quiet, I wouldn’t like the uptight feeling of Japanese parties where you have to put on your “tatemae,” drink even if you don’t want to, and kiss a superior’s ass or something. But the kinds of parties I participated in with Japanese young people were relaxed and casual, never got out of hand, and people just talked peacefully. But I’m sure there are wild Japanese parties and subdued American parties…haven’t been to enough parties to say for sure =P