nordic notes in japan

I truly believe that Swedes have a fundamental pessimism and Japanese a fundamental optimism, no matter how sad that sounds (for us Swedes I mean).

Swedish culture often reflects an expectation that things might go wrong. Prepare for the worst, just in case. And a “don´t get your hopes up” type of mindset.
In contrast, Japanese communication carries a belief that effort and politeness can make things better. The longer I stay in Japan the more aware I become of it.

As a student in a school without a library or even a study place (like what type of educational institute is this..?), I spend a great amount of money on over-prized coffee every month just to get out of my apartment for a couple of hours. And coffee houses are a great place for observation and reflection, and it was in a coffee house that this blog post idea came to life. I’m at the register, paying for my 600-yen black coffee, thinking,
“It’s just a regular cup of coffee. Why so expensive? It’s nothing special — my coffee at home tastes the same, and it’s much cheaper too…” I receive my overpriced coffee and a polite “thank you” from a young woman — probably with a service-minded smile, though it’s hard to tell behind the mask. I thank her back and sit down at the most secluded table.

A few minutes later, two young women — probably around my age, or a little younger — walk in. They chat happily about what to order.
“What are you getting?”
“Hmm… a café mocha, I think. And look at that cheesecake — oishisō.”
“Yeah, oishisō.”

Are they really that excited about coffee and cheesecake? I think to myself, half amused.

Then two high school girls come in. They head straight to the merchandise shelf and pick up a silver, glittery tumbler.
“Wow, look how pretty! It’s so pretty!” They bring it to the cashier, who thanks them as one of the girls carefully counts her coins and hands them over. The sparkling tumbler is now officially hers. She receives the brown paper bag with her new treasure inside, smiling from ear to ear. Her friend claps and smiles just as brightly, even though it isn’t hers. They open the bag together to look at it once more before leaving — walking lightly, chatting, still smiling as they go.

These moments might seem like something you’d hardly give a second thought to. But here’s my perspective after watching these — and many similar — moments. It’s just a cheesecake. Just a tumbler. What’s the big deal? I think to myself.
It’s not like they’ve won the lottery — why are they so happy about something so small?My pessimistic brain strikes again.

What I’m about to say might sound a bit self-centered — or maybe just strange — but please hear me out.
This is one of the strongest reasons I want to stay in Japan and not go back to Sweden. The small happinesses in everyday life, the quiet optimism in how people approach things — it’s something that feels missing in Sweden. And the longer I stay here, the more I notice it, and the more I feel it myself. I feel happy about my overpriced coffee, my daily interactions with strangers and friends, and even just walking through the park — rain or shine. It’s the everyday joys, the daily “ganbatte”, that are slowly but surely transforming my “it probably won’t work out” into “I’ll do my best.”

Slowly but surely, my Swedish pessimism is turning into Japanese optimism — and I’m thankful every time I realize it. -Nordic Notes in Japan.