Man I can relate with both your experience in Japan and Thailand since I have had the priviledge to visit and experience both amazing countries! But when it comes to Japan, although at times I feel like a gaijin since I was born and raised in the States, because I am Japanese by blood I was never able to use the gaijin card, and always felt this pressure to assimilate and to not disturb the peace, and to constantly read the air when in Japan. It was honestly pretty difficult especially when I was in high school and college, whenever I would go to Japan to visit family, I just felt like I never could completely fit in. Nowadays, it doesn't bother me at all, I'm so much more confident and comfortable in my own skin so I proudly embrace being the Japanese American person that I am lol.

The easy going nature of the Thais was very contagious, and was may favorite part of being in Thailand! When I was staying at a hotel in Phuket, I had the opportunity to conversate with the owner and he told me, "Americans are too serious, and everything is about money this, money that.... Thais, we aren't that serious, we live more carefree, and sure money is important but even if we don't have money, we are happy."

When I lived in Spain, the laid back ness was similar to Thailand, but sometimes they were a bit too laid back compared to what I was used to given their working hours were so short and often workers wouldn't come back after their siesta break.

From England I definitely still use some of their lingo that I picked up such as "cheers" for thanks and "oh my days" for oh my goodness.