Since I came to America, I've been surprised about many medical issues in here, but at the same time, I feel Japan is a developing country at medical point. Recently I heard about painless delivery for the first time, and it was very shocking for me.
In Japan, we have a virtue that "The more painful childbirth more worth" and painless childbirth is literally uncommon. As I said above, I've never heard of that for 21 years and I believe few hospitals in Japan have this option. When I was 16, I knew I hate all pains. So I've been kinda ready to deliver by Caesarean section just in case since then :D.
I couldn't find simple graph, but I found painless delivery is getting more common in all developed countries. There are more 95% of pregnant women choose the option in America and France. What about your country? Incidentally, there are only 2.2% of pregnant women choose painless childbirth in Japan. And I really don't get why this graph doesn't have the Caesarean section.
Caesarean section is still popular in America. This is because of birth business. They don't want people stay in hospital longer, so if their babies are not coming on time, doctor give labor promotion medications and ask Caesarean section. Last year's Beyoce's baby was born by Caesarean section too!
I think people should spread information about painless delivery more in Japan. I've believed I could only have a baby through the crazy pain or cutting abdomen, and these images have worked very negatively about the pregnant idea for me. I'm sure there are many women like me in Japan. After I got this option, I feel natural childbirth sounds like so ancient way!
I post a funny video here. In this video, two Dutch guys try to stand artificial labors and this is very hilarious! Their screams remind me of gay porn and you will see why...lol
You can see this with subtitles.
Hang Outの内容は関係が進めばスキンシップが多くなって手をつなぐ〜、とかキスする〜、とかHしちゃう〜とかも結構含まれてきますが「別にそこまで」だったり「ここからは確認が必要」という相手ならアメリカ人はちゃんと断ります。彼らめっちゃ固いです。もし日本人で英語でどう断れば良いか分からない〜って場合は"It's not working.""I can't forget my ex!"が分かり易く強い表現なのでお勧めです(>ワ<)。
それでもよく一緒にいるにも関わらず、「Are you guys dating?」と聞いて「Not really. 別に彼氏じゃないよ。」とアメリカ人が答えたら、あまり深く考えず「へ〜そうなんだ〜。」と納得しましょう◎。
日本人で、"You are pretty""You are so gorgeous"などアメリカ人から褒められまくって、二人で出歩いたりした(dating)。などたまに聞きますが、それはかなーり相手に好意があるシチュエーションなので、不本意であるなら注意しましょう〜。もしその延長線上で、チュー(*´з)(ε`*)なんてこっちの許可なしにしてきたら、いくら外人でも遊び相手にしか思われていない状況なので「駄目だよ〜」とやんわり伝えるか、強引にパンチやキックしちゃいましょう( ̄へ  ̄ 凸。
告白をするアメリカ人は稀にいますがその人はめっちゃ真面目ちゃんです。大切にしましょー♡
ちなみに"I'm interested in you.""I like you."等も英語だと分かりにくいですが明らかな好意を表している表現です。よく分からないまま"Thank you"等言って流したりすると都合のいいように受け取られるのでこれも注意してください〜。
Do you know the song "Thrift Shop"? This song has topped the US Billboard charts since a few weeks ago, and I listen it every day. Macklemore, the singer, sings not about sex or drug but sings literally about "Let's go to thrift shop and get cheaper clothes!". The lyrics and video are so hilarious, you should check it out! :)
So, because of the Thrift Shop's No.1 on Billboard chart, I want to show you about what American thrift shops are.
American Second hand shop usually has so many clothes like heaven, and finding out the clothes you want spends much time than you think. Especially suburban ones are really huge, and all sections look chaotic. So you have to be a good hunter like Macklemore in the video :D.
You see how big rooms and many clothes they have!
アメリカのデカイThrift Shopの雰囲気はこんな感じ↓
In America, popular outfits among fashionable younger generations are almost always European classy ones. Some friendly hipsters mix American casual taste well in many other outfits, but I feel most of fashion people in here just dress like people somewhere in Europe. In Japan, European classy outfits are always popular but American outfits are too. We have Kawaii(extremely chaostic cute) culture, and I believe the reason why we like American clothes is that American clothes are well engaged in Kawaii idea.
In Portland, the place I live, there is only one thrift shop in downtown calledBuffalo Exchange. But there are more on Hawthorne street where is famous place for second hand shops and fancy restaurants for young people.
One of my favorite shops on Hawthorne street is Red Light. This shop was selected for best vintage shop in local newspaper. What they have is American taste chic and fancy clothes. This place is awesome.
These clothes are so cheap and I got these 3 sweaters below all for $29. If I get this kind of super cute sweaters imposed from American in Japan, I guess they will cost more than triple. Not only thrift shops, but there are also many record shops and fancy restaurants on Hawthorne. If your are Portlander, so why don't you visit here !
Red Lightのお洋服は全部意味分かんないくらい安くてセーター一枚15ドル(1400円)とかざらです。日本でそれなりの可愛い輸入されたセーターを買うと3500円は安い方なのでアメリカで買うと半額以下ですし、やっぱり日本じゃ簡単には手に入らない様な服が沢山おいてあるので、行くとめっちゃテンション上がります。
American thrift shop is really fun to go even you are not going to buy anything. So if you are coming to America, I recommend you to go to thrift shops just for sight seeing.
I went to Target, the second largest discount store in the US behind Walmart. Target and Walmart have the pretty same kind of places, but the biggest difference is how fashionable they are. Target is famous for high designed and high quality clothes, and Walmart is not. I'd been interested in going there so bad, because many youtubers I like were often saying something like "I got this shirt for $5 at Target!" in their videos.
Inside of the Target, decorating is all red and many lightnings make the atmosphere clean. People enjoy their shoppings with starbucks' frappuccinos, and I could smell sweet popcorn everywhere.
And clothes! All of them are really pretty as their prices, material and quality are really good and easily affordable enough. If you think you are tired of the cheap and weak clothes like H&M or Forever21, you must come here! They have sizes from XS and I felt here is much better than other fast fashion unless I am finding very fancy dresses or vintage sweaters.
This kind of stores are always located far from downtown and we don't always have good access. But if you need something good quality for cheap price, you'll not regret to come here! And you'd better go to larger one :).
You can get little ideas that what kind of place Target is from Youtube flash mob video below. Check it, it's Beyonce!