Life in Swindon

 

Swindon is located in the west for 100 km from London, surrounded by hills and a lot of trees. About 250000 people are living there. The city is not so big, and relatively new. It was famous for a railway industry in the past. Some old buildings still exist, so we can enjoy seeing modern and traditional mixed streets there. There are some Japanese people and a Japanese restaurant in a hotel because Honda automobile company has a factory in Swindon. My host parents lamented that many small shops and banks disappeared since big supermarkets and automated telling machines were built. I found a furniture shop at a street corner, but my host father told me it would be closed in the near future.

There are some things we can often encounter in both Tokyo and Britain especially Swindon, such as the situation which small stores go out. However, I found it interesting to tell you the differences between them.

First of all, I am so attracted “Do it yourself.” It is often said that Britain has a tradition of individualism, and I could experience it practically at the host family’s house. In the morning and at noon, we have a meal separately and freely. My host mother allowed me to get some foods or drinks out of a refrigerator, and to cook a meal myself and make a cup of tea or coffee. At first, I was confused because I am not familiar with doing freely at a friend’s house. I cannot imagine the situation that I go into friend’s refrigerator at night! My host mother said kindly that

Secondly, British people often invite their friends at their home. As a matter of course, it would depend on a personality or a living area. However, they seem to enjoy more the meeting time at their home with friends. Let me show you an example, some friends a day visit my host father. Each time, he invites them into his house and talks for 30 min. or more.

Thirdly, I was really impressed favourably that men in Britain works more at their home. I often heard that British husbands tend to help housework more than Japanese husbands in Japan. I think they think it natural.

I would like to say that there are much more differences, so I’ll write more about it later. I’d like to say that it’s not necessarily appropriate to suggest that these differences will apply in all people. It is just my idea from my own experiences. Also, I think strongly that I need to find good points of Japanese people and their life styles. A comparison sometimes causes a nuance of criticism, but I don’t want to criticize Japanese styles.