Chewing gum

When I am in class, I see some American students chewing gum. While they listen to a professor's lecture and take notes, they chew gum. Furthermore, I often see many major league baseball players chewing gum on TV. Those things are very usual things in American culture.

However, they are not applied to Japanese culture. If professors find students chewing gum in class, they will be mad because it is very rude in Japanese culture. In my culture, we have to show respect toward professors because we are taught by them. Therefore,
when I saw the American students chewing gum in class, I was like, "How dare they!" when I was in Japan, I never did it because I did not want to hurt professors' feeling (But, I sometimes chew gum in class now since I am used to American culture!).

Additionally, we feel uncomfortable about baseball players chewing gum. The reason that they chew gum is that they can obtain more concentration by chewing gum. Although thr effect is proved scientifically, we tend not to accept it because of our culture. I think that Japanese people feel bad since most of them are not used to it. In addition, baseball players have to show respect because baseball in Japan is a sport with a proud history.

Showing respect is very important in Japan. We Japanese are likely to be demanded showing respect in various cases. I feel that American culture is more comfortable for me since I do not have to care about the thing which I have mentioned above. However, I am a native Japanese, so I must obey my culture. Thus, I will enjoy American culture as long as I live in the United States!