The experience I talked about in my previous blog post is from the perspective of a very westernised Australian who has an Italian influence due to cultural background. Not only is my cultural background very different, my work life, university life and friendships have also shaped my life experiences. These aspects of my culture have contributed to shaping my experience in the Japanese restaurant and my perceptions of the Japanese culture from this experience.

Ellis et al (2011) states that stories enable us to make sense of ourselves and others. It is a way for us to understand our feelings and emotions and why we felt the way we felt. This experience has allowed me to understand the Japanese culture a bit more, not only through the food, but through the other aspects of the restaurant, such as the atmosphere and waiters. During my visit, I began to understand that…