9th September
As I reach the end of my stay I want to use this blog post as a reflection on my trip. In
this last post I would like to summarize and highlight the differences I’ve learnt between
Japan and Taiwan on a cultural level.
I also hope that this post can be a guide to anybody who intends to visit one of the
destinations and wants to navigate the cultures with respect.
I will structure this last post followingly:
Personal Reflection:
Looking back, I’ve come to understand that the two countries share certain similarities
on one side but on the other they have distinct cultural differences. Experiencing these
countries has been an eye-opening for me. I was able to see how globalization affects
the way people live not only from the surface, but I was also able to learn how deeply
rooted cultural values are able to remain. I believe that this experience was necessary
for me as I was able to connect with my heritage and I got a good reality check.
Different from what I assumed I didn’t know much about the cultural values and norms of Japan, and I was happy to learn about them. The same goes for my experience in Taiwan, I gained a lot of confidence in interaction with strangers even with a language barrier. Which then also often was a personal- limit which I couldn’t overcome during my rather short stay.
From what I’ve learnt in my studies I expected to encounter diIerent norms,
communication styles. As the Culfox module has introduced me to intercultural
theories like Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and John Berry’s acculturation model I
wanted to try and use these to my advantage, as I knew I’d be facing unfamiliar
situations. One of my goals was to get better at intercultural competence, a skill which
would be helpful for my future career in tourism.
But, with being there I encountered both challenges and learning moments. In Japan,
the collectivism, hierarchy, and indirect communication style gave me the hardest time.
I was somewhat expecting a high-context culture but didn’t realize how much patience
and observation I would need. For example, at the skate shop in Okinawa, I tried
fulfilling a task without order. Which was replied with criticism, which led to me being
uncertain about when to act without instruction. This experience made me to slow
down and pay closer attention to unspoken rules. My attempts at taking the initiative,
led to confusion or misunderstanding in Japan. While in Switzerland’s more
individualistic and low-context environment this would’ve been seen as good.
I learned that asking for permission before starting a new task was a way of showing
respect and it was essential in that working environment.
In Taiwan, my experiences were different. I expected a restrained environment but found a more open and direct communication style which was nice. Taiwanese people were very welcoming, and the social hierarchy wasn’t as strict as in Japan. Still the respect for elders remained but it felt more relaxed. This experience showed me that my own assumptions about Asian cultures was wrong and how important it is to approach each culture without presumptions if possible.
For example, the night market vendors I interviewed were informal when they spoke to me. Which is the opposite of the formal manner I had experienced in Japan. This is only a small example of what showed me the diversity that exists within East Asia. And it made me think of my own thinking about collectivism vs. individualism in different places and cultures.
As I encountered these new situations, I also got to know my own personal limits. There
were moments where I felt distant from both cultures, especially when I didn’t fully
understand customs or when language barriers created awkward interactions. But these experiences taught me one big thing: patience. I learned to appreciate distances
in relationships diIerently. In Japan, keeping emotional distance is sometimes a form of
respect, where I feel like in Taiwan closeness was oIered faster. These experiences
have helped me to be aware of my own strengths and weaknesses. I have learnt to
adapt to different expectations, I noticed that my openness is a strength when it comes
to this, but I also realized that I sometimes need to work on being more patient with
slower, more indirect forms of communication. Because in some occasions’ my
openness and impatience led to misunderstanding.
Findings of Japan:
Japan is a country rooted in tradition, even if cities like Osaka and Tokyo embrace
modern life. One thing I noticed right away is the focus on collectivism. People work
together, follow rules and regulations. Which is key in both personal and professional
spaces to maintain harmony. This did also really show in my job at the skate shop,
where everyone followed clear roles and worked as a team. The “Iceberg Model of
Culture” applies well to Japan. On the surface, you see things like politeness and
punctuality, but beneath that, there are deeper values like respect for elders and social
order that aren’t immediately obvious to visitors.
When it comes to “cultural dimensions”, I noticed that Japan ranks high in “power
distance”, meaning there’s a strong sense of hierarchy. I felt this especially in the
workplace, where seniority mattered a lot. There’s also a focus on “long-term
orientation”, where people think about the future—whether it’s about saving money or
following rules without questioning them.
I’ve also noticed why Japan is known for its “uncertainty avoidance”. Everything is
planned in detail, from train schedules to social etiquette such as the rule of not
speaking on the train. “Masculinity” also plays a role, especially in professional life,
where achievement and success are highly valued. However, in places like Okinawa,
there’s a more relaxed island vibe compared to mainland Japan. This is also something
I’ve noticed in general that Okinawa has its own culture which is a mix of the cultural
values of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Japanese and Americans. I’ve noticed that this creates
quite an interesting mix which I look forward to exploring more in the future.
Findings of Taiwan:
Taiwan felt different from Japan in many ways. The people are more open and direct,
which made it easier to communicate even with the language barrier. In Taiwan, there’s
less need to read between the lines, making it a little bit closer to a “low context” culture
which I know well. People explain things clearly, and I felt a bit more independent when
moving around or asking questions.
What I also noticed is that people in Taiwan could say no to me when they didn’t know the answer. In Japan people usually don’t want to
express these “failures” and proceed to struggle and give an answer even if it’s not the one you’re looking for.
I also noticed that Taiwan has lower “power distance” compared to Japan. While there is
still respect for elders and authority, the gap between bosses and workers isn’t as wide
or at least it didn’t feel this way for me. Young people are also more likely to voice their
opinions this is something I’ve noticed during my interactions with the people I got to
know. However, like in Japan “collectivism” is still strong, especially in family settings
and the community as a whole. I learnt this as my friends told me that their families
value the festivals deeply and that rules are generally followed.
Taiwan also has more of an “indulgent” culture. I feel like I saw this especially at the
night markets where locals and tourists alike enjoyed it together. Taiwan’s culture feels a
bit more relaxed in comparison to Japan’s more formal approach.
Mini- Guide:
If you’re planning a trip to Japan or Taiwan, there are a few things to keep in mind to
navigate these cultures with respect.
In Japan: Be careful of indirect communication and show respect not only for hierarchy
but in general. Pay attention to unspoken cues, like body language or silences. Follow
the rules and observe local etiquette, especially in more formal settings. Don’t expect
people outside the tourism industry to speak English as it is usually quite rare.
Nevertheless, Japanese people are very patient and if run into trouble many will go out
of their way and take their time to help you.
In Taiwan: Don’t hesitate to engage with locals—they are more direct and open to
conversation but don’t be surprised they also reject you “harsher” as in Japan. It’s also
helpful to learn a few Chinese phrases, but many people will try to communicate with
you in English, especially in tourist areas it is quite common.