While visiting my family I was reminded of a cultural difference between mass in Japan, my home country, and worldwide. Specifically how people act after mass.
At the churches I have been to in Tokyo and a few other cities people quietly leave after mass, or if they do talk they talk outside. In my home country people stay in the church, in the sanctuary, and talk rather loudly. People behave better in a library than in a Catholic church these days I think. In other countries such as France and Italy I have only been to mass at large famous churches, such as St John Lateran, where many at mass are not locals so I don’t know if ordinary Italians or French are quieter after mass than the tourists.
I think if a non Catholic saw how Catholics act, in many but not all churches, after mass has ended they would not have a good impression. If people don’t act as though they are in a holy place then non Catholics would think hey there is nothing special here because people act like there is nothing special here.
People seek something sublime, something divine when they go to a church. If they wanted a casual coffee shop atmosphere that is what coffee shops are for not Catholic churches. Some people say the casual atmosphere is to attract young people. As a young person I can get a casual setting anywhere but when I go to church I want a divine holy setting. I want people to act accordingly. I want people to socialize outside.
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