Culture shock 3

Offending my host family:

For the most part, watching anime and TV dramas has given me a good indication of what I would expect, and they were accurate enough for me. I don't intentionally do things wrong but sometimes there are so many social faux pas that I can't keep up. NO shoes in the house. I got this one down packed. But this also applies to the toilet room, and the clothes hanging area. I have to change my shoes when I go into the toilet room, and when I go on the balcony. Sometimes I think it's just annoying so I don't do it. It is a complete waste of my time. Emily's host mother even goes as far as changing her shoes to unlock the front door, which is 3 feet away, just to then change back into slippers. Communicating is difficult and sometimes I don't know whether I am saying something correctly. Daijobu is the phrase I use most often. Like when my Okaasan thinks I am to cold and she wants to turn on the heater, I say 'Daijobu', when she asks if I want more food, I say 'Daijobu', and she gives it to me anyway, when she thinks I need to wear a scarf or bring an umbrells Say 'Daijobu'. It basicaly means I am ok, but it doesn't mean that they listen.

The biggest mistake that I make is before and after a meal, and before I leave and when I reaturn. I am supposed to say 'Itadakimasu' which essentially means 'Thanks for this meal' although not a literal translation, it's like a saying. When I finish I am supposed to say 'Gochisosama deshita' which means 'The meal was pleasing' although it is also not a literal transation. I forget to say these two, which gave me an awkward first week. I remember most of the time now adays. But saying thank you in English to my host parents doesn't have the same meaning behind it. This is a learned social practice, and I am learning. Similar to eating, when you leave the house and return home you are suppose to say 'Ittekimasu' and 'Tadaima', which mean I am leaving, and I am back respectively. My host parents have their own responses which mean 'Please return (safely)' and 'Welcome back' and also are not literally translated.