One thing that is very different about Japan from America is that in Japan, it is considered normal to live at home, often until you are married. That might be until you are 28 or 30. In America we generally look down on that. Our culture says that as soon as you can, usually 18, you should move out and get your own place. You grow up, you get freedom from your parents, you take responsibility for yourself.

In fact one thing that scares me is the norm in Japan is to live with your parents. I think the current stats are something like 70% of people in their 20s live with their parents. Although I would love to meet a Japanese girlfriend, I have to say, I'm a little afraid of someone that's never been responsible for themselves. I don't want to end up being their new parent.

But, anyway, the actual thing that prompted me to write this is that last night I was at some club and "No Scrubs" by TLC came on. As in America that song was a big hit here but last night I noticed some of the lyrics. If you don't know the song, it's about these girls, TLC, singing about the type of guys they want nothing to do with which they call "scrubs". One thing about a scrub "you live at home with your mama". That pretty much sums up what American culture thinks of living at home after high school.