In our modern world, a majority of people tend to move to a new place or another country to live. Many argue that people have to assimilate into the customs and traditions when beginning a new life there while others believe they do not have to do so. I strongly agree with the former opinion.
Each country will have their own customs and culture. Therefore, it is inevitable that foreigners will encounter difficulties if they do not comply with social behavioral standards in the host country. For example, Japan is a country that highly values politeness. Therefore, a foreigner working in Japan should bow when greeting someone, which is a common courtesy gesture there. If someone forgets to bow, this might not lead to immediate consequences, which could create a slight awkwardness or leave a less positive impression. Consequently, they might miss out on deeper cultural experiences or friendly interactions due to being unaware of such social cues.
Furthermore, adapting to local customs can open doors to opportunities. In specific, familiarity with local business practices, networking within the community, and understanding local markets can lead to better job prospects, and business ventures so that individuals can have a higher income. For instance, Coca-cola changed its packaging with images of cherry blossoms on the product shell to be more appealing to customers in Japan. The result was dramatic increases in not only sales but also the recognition. Moreover, blending into their new environment allows newcomers to make friends with local people more easily, who could help them in various aspects of their lives, such as making money or learning languages.
In conclusion, I believe people should follow the customs and traditions of the country where they are living and working to reap numerous benefits in life and avoid social awkwardness.