In the past, CareFinder has written about cultural differences in Japan, including advice for families when working with the diverse array of sitters in our community. It's not a bad idea to check out those articles, as they have some useful insights into common cultural misunderstandings when working with Japanese families. You can read them here and here.

But just as there are babysitters from many different cultures working on the CareFinder platform, there are also families from all over the world seeking childcare. Especially now, as more and more tourists continue to visit the country, it's likely you'll encounter a family or two whose customs and norms differ significantly from your own. Discovering new cultures is one of the amazing benefits of working with CareFinder; we encourage all sitters to be open to the opportunity!

So, CareFinder has put together a quick list of considerations to keep in mind when applying for and accepting jobs with families that may be outside of your cultural experience.

1. Greetings and Introductions

The Japanese bow, the Americans shake hands, the Spanish kiss both cheeks. Saying "hello" across cultures is an incredibly diverse endeavor! While we always recommend establishing boundaries and comfort zones with families regarding physical contact, the key here is to be aware of what kind of greetings you may expect and to not project ill-intent or ill-will onto a family who is just saying "Hi!" the way they know how. This is especially important to keep in mind when watching small children who are even less likely to understand when their customs may not be appropriate in a given situation.

2. Personal Space and Belongings

In some households, it may be completely normal for a parent to tell you it's OK to scour their pantry for snacks or to help yourself to any drinks in the refrigerator. In others, there may be an unspoken understanding that the family's food isn't meant for guests or employees; you should bring your own. As with many potential misunderstandings, clear, frequent communication around expectations is a big help, but don't be insulted if the family does not want to share with you.

It's also important to understand the rules or customs around entering and staying in someone else's home. As mentioned above, some families may express comfort with you treating their home as you would yours. Others may prefer that you have a more formal approach to the job. Always discuss things like access to the home (do they want you to have a key and let yourself in or should you ring the bell each time?) and establish a routine.

3. Conversational Confusion

Communication is always key, so no matter what cultural or language divides there may be between you and a family, you should always ensure you are as clear and thorough as possible in communicating before, during and after a babysitting job.

That being said, some "lost in translation" moments are sure to happen — even and especially when nothing is being said. Every culture has its own approach to jokes, requests, criticisms and complaints. Some are straightforward, some may expect you to read between the lines and some may deploy a host of euphemisms to get their point across. As with the previously mentioned opportunities for misunderstanding, the primary thing to keep in mind at all times is:

These are families who are trusting you with their children! They likely do not mean to insult, insinuate or otherwise imply that you are unwelcome or inept. Always give the benefit of the doubt in cross-cultural interactions and reach out to the CareFinder team if you feel a family has gone beyond cultural norms in their dealings with you.