33rd Annual Ada Harvest & Herb Festival
On September 15, I joined 33rd Annual Ada Harvest & Herb Festival at Main Street with my friends. I didn't see the parade at 10 am, but I enjoyed the first festival I experienced in America!
Firstly, I was really surprised the special atmosphere of the festival. At usual weekend, there are not too many people on campus and around it. It is totally quiet. However, this weekend was different. I never knew that there are so many people in Ada!
Secondly, how to interact with customers is different from that in Japan. The clerks talk a lot with the customers like speaking to a close friend. I was really happy when one of the clerk spoke to me in Japanese, "どうもありがとう(Thank you very much)."
Also, when I went to Columbus to go shopping in Tanger Outlets, the clerks spoke to me not only "May I help you?," but also "My name is 〇〇." or "This is today's special." and so on. I was amazed because Japanese clerks definitely do not give us their name! This is cultural difference. Japanese tend not to speak too much because they love personal space. I think the difference is just a cultural one and both of them are good.
I could experience such a wonderful festival because I study abroad in country side! If I were in a large city, I couldn't join this unique festival. I could find a new good point of this small town, Ada :)
Yurika, it is so interesting to hear about your perspective as an exchange student! I had never considered little cultural differences, like whether clerks introduce themselves. Even though there isn't always a lot to do in small towns like Ada, festivals like Harvest and Herb really bring the community together. I'm glad you enjoyed your first American festival!
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