Culture Shock

My favorite blogger is the Hello from Hawaii channel on YouTube. He talks in a general way that is liked by most people who watch his show. I’ve learned a lot listening to him. I didn’t catch his name, even when I crossed paths in real life. Here are some of the facts I learned from Hello from Hawaii.

Intro. Hawaii is meant for vacation. Three quarters of Hawaiians live in Honolulu. One and half million go to work everyday on Oahu, and it’s just another day of work. 347 thousand work in the in the city of over 800 thousand people, and it’s size and population is equal to San Francisco. Oahu is the third largest island by land mass of well over one hundred islands. It is the farthest south and western state in the US. I would add that it is 2393 miles from San Francisco, and SF is the closest city and airport from the islands because the bulge and curve of California coast, which “dents-in” around the LA basin area.

The second set of facts mentioned about Oahu are as follows:

Intro. Aloha is a state of mind from the mix of Polynesian, Japanese, and Anglo people who live here and they are just as relaxed as the warm water waves. Perfect weather about 270 days of 365. My comment is to point out that San Diego wins the perfect weather award for the US because it has over 300 days of sun per year. As I write this blog at the end of January, we’re having rain all day. The point is, our rain doesn’t destroy our beaches and our houses, and it doesn’t try to kill us. Our rain only gives us rainbows.

I don’t know how to quantify a cost-of-living estimate for weather desirability, but there are reasons why it “costs” more to live here. The weather has micro changes every day, just like San Francisco and the Bay Area, but it is warmer.

As for culture shock, it’s hands down the easiest “shock” I’ve ever met. Japanese manners of pleasing guests, and the simple idea of taking off shoes before entering don’t have a downside. Hawaiian potluck barbecue in the park doesn’t seem to be a culture I would do without. I do know I should bring a dish, and I found a way to make a trip to the ABC deli and microwave teriyaki chicken and Dole pineapples and mix them together to get kudos from those at the picnic. What I did learn, is that you better bring something, and if you don’t, it is not polite to take all the leftovers home!

The hang loose symbol is the best ice breaker for any culture shock situation. This includes lane changes or allowing a car to pull away from street parking. I use this when I cross busy streets, and I believe it actually helps me live longer!