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Hi everyone, and welcome back to All English Friday —
It’s an episode that we explore language, culture, and real-life topics, all in English.
Today’s topic is something I personally experienced and felt a little lost about at first.
Let’s talk about healthcare culture — and more specifically,
Why do Japanese people often go to the doctor even for a cold, while Americans usually don’t?
As always, we’ll start with the intermediate version,
and then move on to the advanced version in the second half of the episode.
Let’s get started.
🍀 Intermediate Version
When I first moved to the United States, I got sick.
It was just a cold, but I felt very nervous. I didn’t know what to do.
In Japan, I would just go to a clinic, talk to the doctor, and get some medicine.
It’s easy and quick.
But in the U.S., people said to me,
“You don’t need to go to the doctor. Just rest and drink water.”
That surprised me. I thought, “But I feel sick. Isn’t that the time to go?”
It was my first time feeling sick in a country with such a different system.
In Japan, most people go to the doctor early, even when they don’t feel very bad.
The clinics are easy to find, and visits aren’t very expensive.
Japan has universal health insurance, so almost everyone is covered.
In the United States, many people wait before seeing a doctor.
Even if they have insurance, it can still be expensive.
Also, the system is difficult to understand.
People are not always sure if their visit will be covered.
So, many Americans use over-the-counter medicine.
This phrase means that you can buy medicine without a doctor’s note.
For example, you can get cold medicine, painkillers, or allergy pills directly from a pharmacy.
But for stronger medicine, you need a prescription —
a piece of paper from a doctor that allows you to get special medication.
In Japan, people usually go to the doctor first to get that prescription.
In the U.S., many people try to feel better with over-the-counter drugs before visiting a doctor.
After living in the U.S. for a while, I’ve gotten used to this system.
The doctors and nurses I’ve met here are kind and professional, but I still miss the ease of healthcare in Japan.