In Japan, it is common for people to use the word Itadakimasu (an expression for giving thanks) before meals. Children in school are taught, as they all eat school lunch together in their classrooms, not to begin eating before all the students and the teacher in their class have said Itadakimasu together. Going to restaurants, it is very common to see diners put their hands together in front of their faces with their chopsticks held horizontally in their hands, quickly bow their heads, and say Itadakimasu before beginning to eat.
I grew up in America, but I wasn’t born into a religious family, so I never said prayers before eating. To the best of my memory, my brothers and I just sat down and ate. Since coming to Japan, however, I have fallen into the habit of saying Itadakimasu before every meal.
The funny thing is, my wife, who is Japanese, and my children, who have been born and raised in Japan, and who must say this word every day before they eat lunch at school, don’t say it at home. When we sit down to eat breakfast and dinner together, I am the only one to put my hands together and give thanks.
I think it’s the strangest thing.
不思議なことだと思いますが。
僕はアメリカで生まれて、大人まで育ちました。家族の皆はクリスト教ですが、教会に行くことも、ご飯を食べる前にお祈りすることもしませんでした。つまり、宗教に信じている人はいませんでした。
日本に来てから、僕は頂きますという表現が好きになって、ご飯を食べる前に必ず言うようになりました。
不思議なのは、妻が日本人で、子供が生まれてから日本で育ていたのに、ご飯を食べる前に、頂きますを言う人は僕しかいません。
不思議だと思いませんか？
