Dee::Arc wrote...
Ninja4Hire wrote...
Off Topic:
Warning, this is longer than my actual post.
Honestly, I can say you are about half right. While they can be cold to foreigners, it's seldom because of a general dislike towards them. On many occasions, this dislike is really an example of their "shyness", or just an attempt to avoid confrontation (i.e. "I can't handle this situation").
I was living in Japan the past year, and just about everything I am about to say is from my experience.
At least in my experience, foreigners are rarely met with open arms in any country. Imagine walking down the street, and having an odd looking man, who does speak the native language, attempt to talk to you. They may be able to string together some words, but they are mainly speaking in a jumbled mess. Apply that thought to the Japanese (in this case), and imagine their reaction.
Now, there are some people who are very much welcoming to gaijin (Quick Lesson- Gaijin = Foreigner; Gaikokujin = Person from a different country... take from that what you will). For them, they may just wish to help/ be friendly/ practice the foreign language. And in other cases, interest in learning their language (speaking, and showing that you have at least a basic understanding), can lead to them talking with you. But certain norms should be observed before you try to start a conversation.
However, there are many occasions when foreigners ARE openly disliked. These instances are often (again, at least in my experience) caused by the foreigner, by way of ignoring social norms. This is what leads to cultural conflict, as you have two separate groups clashing over a simple set of values. The difference is, however, avoidable by acknowledging that you are not in your home country, and are a guest in theirs. As the saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do".
Quick note- Foreigners can be treated like second-class citizens because they are NOT citizens. They are foreigners... this is the same everywhere.
I've still heard of a great sum of people who are can speak Japanese fluently, have lived long enough in Japan to be legal citizens (and in doing so, passing various interviews by government workers to prove that they understand the culture), and adopt their cultural values, as well as being aware of and following traditional rules, and even start families there, who are
still persistently treated in such an ill manner due to them simply being someone who doesn't look Japanese. People who aren't allowed in various establishments, who aren't even considered for good jobs or promotions, and of them facing harassment due to their race. People who have lived there longer than they've lived in their native country and are still treated like complete invalids.
Again, I'm fully,
fully aware that it's likely not universal or as persisting as stories may lead one to believe, and I'm even aware of the reasons a lot of these kind of things happen, but to say that it's due to simply being a tourist is ignoring all of the non-natives who live there and are troubled by this matter.
Considering I presented my prior post a full week ago (and actually forgot about it entirely), and it not staying on the thread topic, I'm just going to drop the subject here; we can only present anecdotal or cherry picked evidence on the matter either way.
OT: Same thing I said before, but more guitars.
You know what, strike that: take out everything and and buy nothing
but guitars.
Sorry for responding so late. Funny thing though, I just got back to Japan and moved to a new apartment, which is kinda why I responded late (with moving things in and resetting up the proxy to browse this site…its miserable). But anyways, in the mean time, I did some research so back to the question. Of course, there will be those who are conservative and will reject new things. That happens to all of us. But there also some Japanese that accept foreigners very well. I have a friend, who is British and white as can be, who has told me many stories of people helping him during his time in Japan.
From a cultural standpoint, it makes sense. One of the major aspects of Asian culture is to take pride in what you do, whether it is right or wrong, which is where the whole "honor and pride" system comes from. This essentially leads to stubbornness and being not willing to change. Take this and the historical fact that Japan is an archipelago hasn't until the recent centuries had consistent contact with the outside world and we have basically instilled a xenophobia into the culture on an individual level. I've seen this in my Japanese friends who were for some time raised in America have this idea that people shouldn't interfere with their culture. I, myself, was brought up with the idea that everything has a place and role and one should not try to interfere with others. As the traditional cultures that Asian cultures are, this can belief can be sourced to the feudal systems of Ancient Japan and China.
Because I am Asian, I can't really compare the difficulties of entering the Japanese culture. I mean, I can LITERALLY Blend in with the Crowd (no racial comment intended). As for others, all I can recommend is stay open to their culture, but also try to explain your culture and to open others to it. Hold your ground, but don't be too stubborn. Confucius states that, as one major aspect of his philosophy (by the way, this guy is kinda important for ALL Asian cultures, so look into this guy), to always stay within that "silver lining". Japanese people (at least from those I've asked) have the impression that Americans are unrefined, self-centered individuals (reading the manga Afghanis-tan doesn't really help). So prove that wrong. But especially, be open to close-mindedness. Now though I just listed a handful of paradoxes, that's what Asians are, we forward new technology but can't rid of our traditionalism. On behalf of my race, I apologize for being assholes