Inviting Guests in Japan & the World
This week’s topic made me realize that inviting guests is not only about hospitality, but also about privacy, relationships, and social expectations. During discussions with my Japanese classmates, I found something interesting: as young people, many of us actually agreed that we do not really want people coming into our homes because of privacy concerns. However, I think the situation in China is more complicated. If young Chinese people have their own place, enough time, and are willing to cook, inviting friends home is still a considerable option. People may cook together, drink together, and stay overnight. In Japan, however, people seem to value privacy more strongly. Smaller living spaces and concern about disturbing neighbors may also make home gatherings less common. I also feel that for Japanese people, eating outside can be more attractive because restaurants often provide special experiences that are difficult to recreate at home. By contrast, Chinese people seem ...