この記事は次の言語でも読めます：日本語
2 years ago, I visited my host family in Wisconsin by myself. During my visit, I bought 2 mug cups, shown in the picture. I grabbed a red one and blue one for Jeff and me without really thinking too much.
After returning to Japan, I showed the mugs to Jeff.
Jeff: Oh, nice!
Mizuki: Oh, yeah!
Jeff: I will use this one.
He grabbed the red mug with a big smile.
Mizuki: What!?
Jeff: What happened?
Mizuki: Red is for woman usually!
Jeff: I love red! Who decided red is for woman?!
Mizuki: Many people think so!
Jeff: I don’t know about it! I use the red one anyways!
Mizuki: I wanna use the red one too!
Jeff: You should have gotten 2 red mugs.
Mizuki: ……………
I assumed that I would use the red one because I am a woman.
But, Jeff does not have the color stereotype thinking.
Afterwards, I found that this thinking, gender color stereotypes, is made by Japanese culture.
In Japan, you can easily find many products for couple.
And dark colors like blue and green are made for men, and red and other bright colors are made for women.
This gender color stereotypes were taught from childhood.
Therefore I thought “Jeff would use the blue one (because he is a male)” unconsciously.
I realized how people can get influenced by culture.
Later that, I also found Taiwanese people especially love red.
The streets are decorated with red completely during Chinese New Year.
I’m sorry that I didn’t notice.
From this experience, I reflected that I should not judge people only by my own standard.
Anyone can choose any colors as long as they love!