Chapter 164: [When In Rome, Do As The Romans Do

Chapter 164: [When In Rome, Do As The Romans Do

<<Nnnnaaaahhh!?>>

I had collapsed.

The trouble occurred right after we decided on the rules for our life.

The furniture we had ordered was getting delivered, and workers were bringing it into the room one by one.

I had left the instructions for placement to Angu Ogu.

<<Hey, Ogu!? Everyone's just walking in with their shoes on, right!?>>

<<Huh? Is that..... Is that not okay!?>>

<<No, no, didn't we decide on ‘no shoes inside' a while ago!?>>

<<Whaaat!? Does that apply to everyone, not just us!?>>

<<It's common sense, you know!?>>

<<Ah... Well, you're right. Sorry about that. I guess I misunderstood, even though I used to live in Japan.>>

Ango apologized, but I was bewildered. What other interpretation could there be?

However, when I asked, I realized she wasn't at fault.

I had unilaterally assumed my own "common sense".

<<Actually, in America, even if we say ‘no shoes inside,' it's often not enforced on guests. Of course, it depends on the region, but...>>

<<Huh, really!? But won't the room get dirty normally?>>

<<I think it's a different way of thinking about it. It's not about ‘no shoes inside' to keep the room clean, but it's ‘no shoes inside' to welcome guests in a clean state.>>

<<... I see.>>

What's important isn't that the room is clean, but the guests feel good.

To achieve that, they avoid dirtying the place by taking their shoes off.

When you look at it this way, imposing the "no shoes inside" rule on others becomes contradictory.

No one feels better getting forced to do something.

On the other hand, in Japan, it's about keeping the house clean or being careful not to dirty someone else's house.

In this way, even though it's the same "no shoes inside" rule, the philosophies are opposite.

Perhaps this is influenced by American home party culture—the idea of entertaining guests at home.

<<Oh, sorry, Ogu. It's my fault.>>

<<Wh-why are you apologizing, Iroha!? It's okay, just wait. I'll tell them to take off their shoes right away.>>

<<No, it's fine, Ogu. Let's leave it as it is.>>

<<Huh? But...>>

<<Maybe it's a case of ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do'. There isn't even a proper entrance or a ‘genkan' here, after all.>>

It's just a difference in culture.

And this is America.

In that case, it's not me but them who are right.

Actually, I was trying to impose my country's rules on others.

This is a moment of reflection.

Angu Ogu let out a sudden "Ah!", exclamation.

<<It's about lunch break, so I should bring some coffee and doughnuts.>>

<<Come to think of it, did you buy something at the airport? Was it for this occasion?>>

I joined AngU Ogu in distributing coffee and doughnuts to the workers. This was just like a tip, although we also gave actual tips, according to her,

In Japan, it's not mandatory to serve tea to guests, especially not to service workers, so this was another cultural difference.

Well, tipping itself seems to be a form of etiquette.

I pondered this while munching on a doughnut.

<<Whew!? It's so sweet!>>

<<Hahaha, American sweets are really sweet. Ah, this taste brings back memories.>>

I quickly took a sip of my coffee.

I was quite surprised—it felt like I was being initiated into American culture.

While chatting with Angu Ogu like this, one of the workers cheerfully approached us, for some reason using a tone you might use when petting a cat.

<<Hey there, ladies. It must be tough preparing for a move with just the two of you. Where are your mom and dad?>>

<<...Oh.>>

<<Judging people by their appearance is a breach of etiquette. I'm a proper grown-up lady, you know!>>

<<Hahaha. You got me there. It was definitely rude to assume that. So, let me ask the lady, which one is your dad and which one is your mom?>>

<<It's not like that!>>

Angu Ogu was getting completely underestimated.

She's like a child trying to act like an adult.

I chuckled and intervened.

<<Haha, I assure you, she's not as young as she looks. We're the ones who made the arrangements, so we know what's going on. So, you mustn't slack off now, okay?>>

I said it with a playful tone.

The worker looked at me in astonishment and opened his mouth in surprise.

<<...Impressive. What polite English you speak. Were you her guardian? Are you perhaps Japanese? I've heard you look young, but this is something else.>>

<<Huh? Oh, no, it's not like that.>>

<<Young lady, you have quite the big sister. Dignity is something that overflows from within, not just an external appearance.>>

<<What do you mean~!? I'm actually the older one here~!>>

Angu Ogu got angry and made a comical face.

The worker laughed and brushed it off as if calming a child.

***

As we continued chatting, the workers finished their work.

Our belongings from Japan had also arrived, and the room was filled with cardboard boxes.

<<This is going to be a long process.>>

<<Yeah. So, before that, let's have lunch!>>

I nodded vigorously, signaling my agreement.