People may argue about the effects of globalization U.S. companies have on foreign countries, but to this inexperienced tourist, the feeling of home that these brands brought is greatly appreciated and priceless.
I’ve never traveled internationally before Japan. (Canada and Mexico don’t count!) As part of my 30th birthday resolution, I finally got myself a passport so I can see the world. While I was excited to venture beyond North America, I was also quite nervous. I was worried about being bored on the 12-hour flight. I was worried about missing the connecting flight from Tokyo to Nagasaki. I was worried about not being to speak the language. I was worried about food poisoning. I was worried about getting sick. I was worried about cold weather. I was worried about the hotels losing our reservations. I was worried about random things.
My husband, family and friends tried to help relieve my anxieties before the trip, but when I finally arrived to Japan, I felt even more overwhelmed. People weren't speaking English; cars were driven on the opposite side of the road; the currency looked different; signs were written in Japanese; and the list of social and cultural dos and don’ts seem to be only getting longer. I tried to quickly get acclimated to the ways of the country I’d be staying in for the next two weeks, but I felt I was suffocating and began to constantly, mentally grasp for any similarities to home for some kind of relief.
When I saw and understood the words "Let's" and "Kenkai" on one of the community boards in my sister’s town, I began to relax a little. When I saw Coca Cola cans available in the vending machines, which seems to appear on every street corner, I began to breathe a little easier. When my sister took me into Nagasaski for the first time, and I saw brands like McDonald's, Starbucks, Gap, Tully's, Seattle Best Coffee, Wendy's and KFC, I begin to feel more at ease. I knew if I couldn't understand anything else in this foreign country, I could at least order myself a Grande hot cocoa with soy, or a Happy Meal with Cola.
My husband, sister and friends teased me about visiting a Starbucks or a McDonalds while being in Japan when I was surrounded by such a rich culture, but they may not understand how these global brands provided me a sense of security and comfort – especially when I was getting home sick or just tired of everything Japanese. So, thank you, McDonalds! Thank you, Starbucks!
I’ve never traveled internationally before Japan. (Canada and Mexico don’t count!) As part of my 30th birthday resolution, I finally got myself a passport so I can see the world. While I was excited to venture beyond North America, I was also quite nervous. I was worried about being bored on the 12-hour flight. I was worried about missing the connecting flight from Tokyo to Nagasaki. I was worried about not being to speak the language. I was worried about food poisoning. I was worried about getting sick. I was worried about cold weather. I was worried about the hotels losing our reservations. I was worried about random things.My husband, family and friends tried to help relieve my anxieties before the trip, but when I finally arrived to Japan, I felt even more overwhelmed. People weren't speaking English; cars were driven on the opposite side of the road; the currency looked different; signs were written in Japanese; and the list of social and cultural dos and don’ts seem to be only getting longer. I tried to quickly get acclimated to the ways of the country I’d be staying in for the next two weeks, but I felt I was suffocating and began to constantly, mentally grasp for any similarities to home for some kind of relief.
When I saw and understood the words "Let's" and "Kenkai" on one of the community boards in my sister’s town, I began to relax a little. When I saw Coca Cola cans available in the vending machines, which seems to appear on every street corner, I began to breathe a little easier. When my sister took me into Nagasaski for the first time, and I saw brands like McDonald's, Starbucks, Gap, Tully's, Seattle Best Coffee, Wendy's and KFC, I begin to feel more at ease. I knew if I couldn't understand anything else in this foreign country, I could at least order myself a Grande hot cocoa with soy, or a Happy Meal with Cola.My husband, sister and friends teased me about visiting a Starbucks or a McDonalds while being in Japan when I was surrounded by such a rich culture, but they may not understand how these global brands provided me a sense of security and comfort – especially when I was getting home sick or just tired of everything Japanese. So, thank you, McDonalds! Thank you, Starbucks!
Comments