Manaaki Selby-Rickit’s wife, Renee Brown has come under fire for her opinion on Japanese culture.
In a video on her TikTok she called their culture ‘ridiculous’ as she prepared her daughter for kindergarten.
Among the list of things required to prepare her for the school trip was her own backpack, a PE uniform and change of clothes, two handkerchiefs, sanitizing wipes and tissues as well as a packed lunch and her water bottle.
And watchers on Facebook have taken exception to Renee’s reaction to what is needed for the trip.
Many on the social media platform have suggested that it is a good thing that kids are required to take such provisions.
Others concluded that it was evidence that Japan’s education system was far better than Australia and New Zealand’s.
Renee Brown has come under fire for her video explaining what she needed to pack for her daughter’s field trip
In the clip she called it ridiculous as she listed off everything required
In her video Renee Brown said, ‘I am not gonna lie, this Japanese kindergarten stuff is getting quite ridiculous, I’ve just had to go and buy all this stuff.
‘Maia has her first field trip coming up with her Japanese kindergarten… in Japanese fashion, they’ve sent a huge list of things that we need and instructions on how to properly prepare for the trip.
‘I’ve had to go and buy a few other things specifically for this trip, like a personal picnic set, like a little picnic blanket… also their chopsticks, their fork and their spoon.
‘They’ve also said that before going on the trip can you practice with your child how to lay the blanket out and how to fold it out, so we will get right on to that.
‘A raincoat specifically one that has a carry bag because she has to carry her raincoat separately from her backpack.
‘The other thing they’ve noted on the instructions which is quite interesting is, before going on the bus can you please make sure your child has been to the restroom, had their temperature check, also if your child gets motion sickness can you give them motion sickness medication before they get on the bus.
‘Also they said don’t go to the location of the school trip to observe your child on the school trip. That is something I would love to do but I’m not going to because we are obviously not allowed.’
After showing viewers everything else she had bought for the trip that included a lunch box and a series of accessories to help make a lunch look good, Renee went on to say, ‘That is basically everything she needs for her school trip.
‘As you can imagine it is so over the top and excessive and I haven’t even touched the sides of the detail gone into the instructions.
‘My translator sent me about four WhatsApp messages in detail of how to prepare for the trip and it’s obviously a lot which is not surprising one bit.’
And a number of users on Facebook have taken exception to her description of the culture.
Ericel Versteegen wrote, ‘It was hard to watch. Schooling system in Asia is very different to western countries. Esp Japan, they teach independence very early on.’
Another user, Aria Agostino added, ‘The words she has chosen have been phrased poorly.
‘That being said at my work we have a lot of Japanese managers who bring their children here to live during their 3-4 year secondment. Them and their partner adapt quickly, but for children to adapt to the culture change is somewhat challenging.
‘It’s not the process that is ridiculous or challenging, it’s a challenge to get their children to adapt.
‘Overall, I think it was a video that wasn’t needed. When you choose to do the expat life with or without children, anywhere in the world, it takes time to adapt, but you need to respect the doings of the country.’
Some have jumped to her defence, with Liz Peck writing, ‘I watched the video, she says it’s been a couple of weeks that her child has been going to school.
‘I get it, it’s a lot to pack and a big culture shock when before you just throw everything into one bag and maybe shoes and a water bottle.
‘To her (and others who wouldn’t know) packing all of that for a day is quite excessive at first. But after a while it will become more routine for them.
‘I don’t see her dissing the culture, she is just surprised by it.’
