"Strong Opinions": Visitors Observe American Culture

Here on South San Francisco Patch, we're exploring how a difficult economy is affecting the financial well-being of all of us in articles called Dispatches: The Changing American Dream. For today's Dispatch, we spoke to some visitors from outside the U.S. to find out their perspectives on American values.

“How do you manage so many strong opinions?” asked Saki Hamachi, a high school student and resident of Kishiwada Japan.

Hamachi recently visited South San Francisco . In between time with their host families and visit to local schools, Hamachi and fellow student Wakana Mizuguchi spoke through interpreter Junko Takahashi about their observations of the American Dream—not the idealized Dream of American literature, but how the Dream is expressed right here and right now.

Her question, innocently and honestly asked, comes at a time when the American people have been shocked by the partisan divide in the debt ceiling debate.

The girls commented that it must be difficult to find a solution that fits to everyone’s needs with such strong opinions.

Hamachi and Mizuguchi made it clear: they love America and the American people. But they did notice differences when comparing their culture.

“There is always competition,” Hamachi said.

That need for individual success is not prevalent in their hometown, Mizuguchi said, where people tend to agree easily.

“In Japan we tend to make groups and have group consciousness,” she said. “We have the same aim to succeed.”

Each year, Mizuguchi said, Kishiwada holds a festival for all people to join together. This is very symbolic of the Japanese culture, she said.

Hamachi used the recent earthquake in Japan as an example of the patience and comradery of the Japanese people.

“When the earthquake occurred there was no riot. We didn’t fight for anything,” she said. “We are peaceful, we believe in each other and trust each other.”

But although there may be some complications with having so many distinct attitudes, this is also what makes the United States great, Hamachi said.

By formulating and valuing one’s opinion, the individual has a greater part in the discussion, Hamachi explained.

The Youth Exchange program had visited and Monday to gain an understanding of the lives of the youth in America.

Mizuguchi said she felt a small pang of jealousy as she saw every student was unique.

In her public school, she explained, everyone must appear the same down to the color of cardigan deemed appropriate for wearing to school. She’s always wanted to dye her hair but was never allowed.

“They looked so free,” Hamachi said of the American students. “Japanese students tend to feel tired during class, and they do not feel relaxed.”

By giving students more freedom to be themselves, their education may benefit.

“You can communicate better with each other,” Hamachi said.

The American Dream evokes patriotism for some and hope for others, and it remains a keystone of American society.

“That’s the great American style,” Hamachi said.