A few years ago
there were a bunch of memes circulating social media sites titled ‘First World
Problems’.
First World
Problems are defined as ‘relatively trivial or
minor problems or frustrations faced by people living in First World countries
(implying a contrast with serious problems such as those that may be
experienced in the developing world).’ In other words, they are memes created
by those living in a privileged society, poking fun at themselves for voicing such
petty complainants; most of which are common and relatable among other privileged
groups around the world.
Here
are some examples:
Since moving to Japan I’ve observed many commonplace Japanese
customs which are completely foreign to me, highlighting how Westernised my
lifestyle and mindset has been up until this point. Each day I get to
experience new fascinating and often amusing ways of completing daily tasks.
Some of which are far more logical or innovatively genius and make me question
why the hell we haven’t introduced them into our own country. Then there are
those things that will be forever ingrained into one’s core beliefs and comfort
standards due to decades of exposure and familiarity. These ingrained
preferences I’ve developed are constantly being challenged or reshaped each day
as I attempt to grow accustom to my new Japanese lifestyle. While most gaijin
(Japanese word for foreigner) make such sacrifices in an attempt to gain a more
authentic Japanese experience, they also inevitably find certain aspects
difficult to comprehend or openly embrace.
Lo and behold, these commonly shared frustrations have spurred me to develop my first series of memes, somewhat inappropriately titled ‘Western World Problems’. While I recognise that some of the frustrations I mention are not exclusive or entirely representative of Western cultures, most of my Western gaijin friends would vouch that they too have had similar thoughts.
If you are greatly unfamiliar with Japanese traditions and
culture, aide from making you giggle, I hope that these light-hearted memes
expose you to some unique quirks and inspire you to one-day visit for yourself.
The culture is steeped in very old traditions and a complex set of social norms.
I plan to continue to share my experiences and thoughts through the creation of
more comical memes.
Please feel free to comment below if you have any Western World Problems to contribute.
Enjoy!
