Positive thinking

by Koichi N.
(Tokyo)

Generally it is said that most Americans have positive thinking compared to the Japanese. Then, why does such a difference come up? I think that the reason is the method of the education in childhood.

Try to imagine a situation where a mother sees her child to the door. A Japanese mother will say, “Take care. You mustn’t run the red light when you will cross an intersection.”

But an American mother will say, “Take care. You can go on the green light when you will cross an intersection.”

The above-mentioned situation is the same meaning. However, the American child will grow up to be positive and optimistic compared to the Japanese child. It is because he can anticipate a successful outcome of every situation and action.

For the reason stated above, most Americans think positively.