‘Japanese dinner with your Japanese wife’ sounds good?
OzMatch, an Australian and Japanese matchmaking agency, provides three communities for members. One is called ‘Bachelor Club’ and it is for our executive male members. One is called ‘I do crew’ and it is for our executive Japanese female members. One is called ‘Soon to Marry’ and it is for our exclusive couples including couples who completed their journey with us.
My morning routine starts by checking messages from executive members and I found a very cute message with two photos at the ‘Soon to Marry’ community message board.
“Hello, Soon to Marry members. We have a lot of fun every day. I made simple Japanese food today. He liked it very much and was very happy. He is having trouble deciding what to do with chopsticks.”
That reminds me of my ex-boyfriend from Scotland. One day I invited him for lunch and I prepared a Japanese meal. It seemed like it was the first time for him to use chopsticks. And I am not sure if he enjoyed lunch that day. I wonder…
Marrying a Japanese woman is marrying Japanese culture
“Marrying a Japanese woman is marrying Japanese culture.”
This is not what I said. This is from one of our Australian male members. When I read his email, I didn’t get it. I thought, if someone had difficulty with their wife, that was not because of culture difference, but personality difference.
Then I saw my husband’s marriage experience with me, and I understood it. “Marrying a Japanese woman is marrying Japanese culture.”
Most Japanese women, especially my age ( don’t ask me how old I am, please) were taught that women shouldn’t be against men, husbands, brothers etc. I never doubted it because my family lived by that idea. How could I know there was another idea?
When I married my husband, Sean, I had no idea how to say that I wanted to spend more time with him. Because I didn’t know how to do it and I became depressed.
Our first few years were kind of like a cold war. Were we happy? Absolutely NOT!
I was asked by my husband, probably more than 100 times. “ Misao, Please communicate with me.” And all I said was “ I’m fine.” When people say “I’m fine.” That means they are not fine. Poor Sean.
Learning your partner’s culture is leaning your partner
When our Australian male members start dating with our Japanese female members, some start learning Japanese seriously. I think that is a great thing for both of him and her.
You don’t need to speak Japanese fluently but it will help you to understand what your Japanese girlfriend / partner / wife is going through living in your country. She is putting effort into learning your language because she loves you.
By the way, can you use chopsticks ?
If you can pick up beans with them, I would say you are advanced. If you can pick up a fly with them, I will call you, Mr. Miyagi. 🙂