I'm looking for a saying that explains that A and B aren't better or worse, they are simply different. More specifically, that a Japanese way of doing things isn't better or worse [than a western one], but for me [a westerner] doing it the Japanese way will be worse, because I've been educated in such a different manner that it would be like "trying to force a square through a circle".
Any takers?
How about...
「[木]{き}に[竹]{たけ}を[接]{つ}ぐ」?
It would be like "trying to force a square through a circle".
「まるで、木に竹を接ぐようなものだ。」
We have an established saying, "丸を四角に言いくるめる," which can be literally translated as "(try to) pursuade / convince sb. a circle as a square, and matches up your quote - "trying to force a square through a circle".
There are several variations to "丸を四角に言いくるめる," for examples, "カラスをサギと言いくるめる - insist on a crow as a white heron" and "白を黒と言い張る - insist on white as black.
These expressions are applied to an obstinate or dishonest person and his / her behavior, because he / she is pushing a wrong and illogical assertion on others.
We need a [Proverb] tag!
I can't think of a nice, colorful Jp expression for [ A and B aren't better or worse, they are simply different.] -- like comparing apples and oranges.
比較のしょうがない
比較してもしょうがない
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_peg_in_a_round_hole "Square peg in a round hole" is an idiomatic expression which describes the unusual individualist who could not fit into a niche of his or her society.
As for an [eccentric maverick], I can't think of a colorful Jp expression or proverb either.
http://eow.alc.co.jp/search?q=maverick
maverick figure 《a ～》 型破りな［わが道を行くタイプの］人物
異端児 一匹オオカミ 独立独行の、型破りの
