Notices by Kanako (teddydale@mstdn.social)

@YoWatShiinaEsq Japanese and British are similar in that they don’t do small talks unless they are at a social event where you are in the company of “vouched-for” people. In J or B, it is important to know who you are speaking with and why. When I lived in Tokyo after living in US for over a decade, I made the mistake of trying to do small talks with strangers, say, in a dog park only to be ignored. In US, the only requirement for conversation is some common ground, but not enough in J or B!

@YoWatShiinaEsq I think it IS a big city thing where strangers talk to each other easily.

This couple gawked at you because where they live is probably more homogeneous and they are not used to dealing with people who are different. But in larger cities, that people are different is given simply because there are more people.

Combined with the American tendency to be chatty with strangers, living in a large American city creates some very interesting opportunities to meet people.