Hi guys, I'm in Japan

[The Six]

I had takoyaki in Osaka my first time there, so that was alright. Maybe I'll find an okonomiyaki place when I go back next week.

I was only in Tokyo for a day...judging by what Kyoto has it would be really hard to find a worthwhile classical store. But I just know there has to be some ultra-rare stuff around this country somewhere.

OK, now it's snowing. This is the first time I've seen snow in maybe 10 years. And to think that in the summer this town was skin-dissolvingly humid. I'm sorry, but I just had to turn dissolve into an adverb there.

But, the traffic...I guess it's not a surprise public transportation is so good. The streets and everything are so small, that there has to be an alternative to driving. I'd walk down a neighborhood, thinking that it's just some back alley, then a car passes by. OK, so it's a street, but it has to be a one-way street, right? No, cars are going in both directions. And the driveways are so narrow, I don't know how people could back into those things perfectly everyday. Mopeds are pretty popular, too. That's another good alternative.

[M forever]

Finding places to eat in Osaka is not a problem at all. But choosing really is. There is so much good food evrywhere, and it is all great. I haven't been to any place there (I was in Osaka for 2 months about 15 years ago) that didn't do great food, even if it was just a noodle soup stand in a train station. The food culture in Japan is simply that high and also extremely diverse. Especially in Osaka which is for a good reason often called the kitchen of Japan. There is even a local expression for "eat yourself to ruins" or "eat till you drop" - kuidaore.

[The Six]

This next one is long, but I typed it for another forum where I made the same topic, so I'll just post it here, too. It's from when someone asked about being ostracized in Japanese society.

About Koreans, one of my teachers here is actually full-blooded Korean, but was born in Japan. She had to go through years of hardship to be able to be considered a real citizen here. She speaks no Korean, and doesn't consider herself tied to that country at all, but because of what she says was discrimination in trying to become a citizen, she really dislikes this country and wants to leave. It was a pretty strong way to start off a seminar class here, with only 2 foreign students besides myself. The Japanese students in general don't say much in their classes; they're trained to just sit and listen, so they don't get the ability to speak their mind. I don't think they really get the ability to gather their thoughts enough to put themselves in a position to speak their mind, either.

With that, there's are two Japanese words, tatemae, and honne, which describes the action of thinking one way, but acting another. I know that's basically hypocrisy, but this term can also relate to tolerating foreigners, pretending to welcome them, but inside resenting them. I'm sure that relates to the not speaking their mind thing, and overall just avoiding causing trouble. But I can't say that I've really had bad experiences here. There are the looks and stares that any non-Asian foreigner would get, but not all of them are out of dislike. I've had a group of strangers on the train, from a different school, start talking to me in English and complimenting me out of nowhere. I think it's otherwise very rare for a Japanese to approach a complete stranger; the fact that they get to speak English almost puts them in another world.

For the most part, the Japanese here who have studied abroad, and learned other languages, English or not, are the ones that will reach out and welcome different people to their country. They're the ones that. when they see foreigners on the street, are more likely to ignore them like they would any other passerby, as opposed to blankly staring or whispering to their friends. I guess it's easier to have a good experience here; the welcoming people will let you know it, organizing all of the parties and free tours for foreigners that are so common, and the rest will just keep to themselves. Then, of course there are those that are attracted to foreigners, and have no real problem with them.

[Benny]

Are you sure you're ready for Japan? Don't confuse social protocols with one's ability to think for oneself! Japanese students are conditioned to be very respectful of intellectual authority. They will not overtly question a teacher in class unless something is profoundly wrong. Concerning their willingness to integrate a brand new foreigner, I'd say look in your own country if the same thing is not happening.

[Bonehelm]

Finding places to eat in Osaka is not a problem at all. But choosing really is. There is so much good food evrywhere, and it is all great. I haven't been to any place there (I was in Osaka for 2 months about 15 years ago) that didn't do great food, even if it was just a noodle soup stand in a train station. The food culture in Japan is simply that high and also extremely diverse. Especially in Osaka which is for a good reason often called the kitchen of Japan. There is even a local expression for "eat yourself to ruins" or "eat till you drop" - kuidaore.

Yes, but one would only say that if you have never been to anywhere in Guangdong.

[The Six]

I said nothing about questioning authority; I talked about students being too reserved to speak up in class. Even in an English class where students are encouraged to speak out and say something, it can be difficult for them. I didn't re-read those paragraphs that I wrote, but I hope that's clear enough. I know that I made it a point to say that this "conditioning" can have an adverse affect: losing the ability to say what you want. Expressing yourself in class is important.

And wow, questioning if I'm ready for Japan? My general point of view is worldly, in that we're all basically the same humans, no matter where we come from. I don't know what in my previous post made you think I'm not ready - there have been no huge surprises for me, and nothing unsettling to the point that I wouldn't want to live here. What is happening in my country is irrelevant here; I'm discussing Japan. But, like I said about my worldly views, it's normal for more than one country to have similar views of tolerance of foreigners, the way that they show it is different. How the Japanese developed their expression of this tolerance, or intolerance, is what I was discussing. I don't think I made any personal judgements in that regard, just presenting it how I see it.

[Benny]

"About Koreans, one of my teachers here is actually full-blooded Korean, but was born in Japan. She had to go through years of hardship to be able to be considered a real citizen here. She speaks no Korean, and doesn't consider herself tied to that country at all, but because of what she says was discrimination in trying to become a citizen, she really dislikes this country and wants to leave. It was a pretty strong way to start off a seminar class here, with only 2 foreign students besides myself. The Japanese students in general don't say much in their classes; they're trained to just sit and listen, so they don't get the ability to speak their mind. I don't think they really get the ability to gather their thoughts enough to put themselves in a position to speak their mind, either.

With that, there's are two Japanese words, tatemae, and honne, which describes the action of thinking one way, but acting another. I know that's basically hypocrisy, but this term can also relate to tolerating foreigners, pretending to welcome them, but inside resenting them. I'm sure that relates to the not speaking their mind thing, and overall just avoiding causing trouble. But I can't say that I've really had bad experiences here. There are the looks and stares that any non-Asian foreigner would get, but not all of them are out of dislike. I've had a group of strangers on the train, from a different school, start talking to me in English and complimenting me out of nowhere. I think it's otherwise very rare for a Japanese to approach a complete stranger; the fact that they get to speak English almost puts them in another world.

For the most part, the Japanese here who have studied abroad, and learned other languages, English or not, are the ones that will reach out and welcome different people to their country. They're the ones that. when they see foreigners on the street, are more likely to ignore them like they would any other passerby, as opposed to blankly staring or whispering to their friends. I guess it's easier to have a good experience here; the welcoming people will let you know it, organizing all of the parties and free tours for foreigners that are so common, and the rest will just keep to themselves. Then, of course there are those that are attracted to foreigners, and have no real problem with them."

My question about being ready for Japan pertained to what I have highlighted above.

[The Six]

And what suggests that I wasn't ready?

[Benny]

Confusing a culture's different standards of what is respectful with a students body's inability to "gather" their own thoughts and only finding receptive individuals among those who have studied abroad (even suggesting that all the others are resentful of foreigners).

It's pretty strongly suggested!

[The Six]

"Confusing a culture's different standards of what is respectful with a students body's inability to "gather" their own thoughts"

Well, I thought I clarified this - it's about just speaking up in class. I'm talking about asking questions, discussing. This is not an issue of respect for teachers. If you don't regularly exercise this ability, you can definitely lose it. That's servere, and I'm definitely not saying that losing that ability is the norm.

"only finding receptive individuals among those who have studied abroad (even suggesting that all the others are resentful of foreigners)."

False. I said that for the most part those with experience of foreign cultures are more open to others. In my experience at school, that's how it has been, that's not an opinion. I talked about Japanese organizing parties and such for foreigners-that's not just the ones who have studied abroad, so I'm not saying the majority of the Japanese are intolerant. I didn't say that everyone else is resentful, either...Man, you really misunderstood. And I wrote those paragraphs in response to people who thought I would be ostracized, as a rebuttal to tell them the contrary, too.

[Benny]

"Man, you really misunderstood"

Very much so.

Do you speak Japanese?
Have you been "adopted" by one of their families?

[The Six]

Yeah, I'm here to study Japanese. I can speak, but nowhere near fluency yet. And no homestay, I'm in a dorm.

[M forever]

Where are you from originally? Why did you decide to study Japanese? What is it about Japan, the Japanese language, Japanese culture and history that interests you?

[Sean]

I've just a got a contract to teach English in S.Korea and all being well I'll be there in about four weeks. It's a small town south of Seoul but I thought it might suit me- I'm going to take a few books and computer work if there's no English speakers: I'm used to living in a wilderness in England anyway. I've never been to northeast Asia though have had a few days in Beijing; the work is for up to a year and eventually I'd like to get a boat to Vladivostok and come back by train.

[greg]

Where are you from originally? Why did you decide to study Japanese? What is it about Japan, the Japanese language, Japanese culture and history that interests you?

probably started with the anime, same as me 
how old are you, btw, The Six?
i thought of living in Japan before but it's too hard to make a living if you're a foreigner (compared to if i stayed here)..... they really should make it a bit easier for foreigners so they could eliminate some of the fear that some people have of them.

I've just a got a contract to teach English in S.Korea and all being well I'll be there in about four weeks. It's a small town south of Seoul but I thought it might suit me- I'm going to take a few books and computer work if there's no English speakers: I'm used to living in a wilderness in England anyway. I've never been to northeast Asia though have had a few days in Beijing; the work is for up to a year and eventually I'd like to get a boat to Vladivostok and come back by train.

sounds cool, Sean! good luck 

[Josquin des Prez]

Are you sure you're ready for Japan? Don't confuse social protocols with one's ability to think for oneself! Japanese students are conditioned to be very respectful of intellectual authority. They will not overtly question a teacher in class unless something is profoundly wrong.

Then people wonder why Japan is so successful.

[M forever]

i thought of living in Japan before but it's too hard to make a living if you're a foreigner (compared to if i stayed here)..... they really should make it a bit easier for foreigners so they could eliminate some of the fear that some people have of them.

Make it easier how? They should all speak English instead of Japanese and maybe abolish the writing system in favor of Roman letters? But how would that help *you*? Of course it would be too hard for to make a living there. You can't even make a living in your own country.

[greg]

Make it easier how? They should all speak English instead of Japanese and maybe abolish the writing system in favor of Roman letters? But how would that help *you*? Of course it would be too hard for to make a living there. You can't even make a living in your own country.

you're an idiot, M.

(and btw, my Japanese will be better than yours ever will be      )

[MishaK]

I've just a got a contract to teach English in S.Korea and all being well I'll be there in about four weeks. It's a small town south of Seoul but I thought it might suit me- I'm going to take a few books and computer work if there's no English speakers: I'm used to living in a wilderness in England anyway. I've never been to northeast Asia though have had a few days in Beijing; the work is for up to a year and eventually I'd like to get a boat to Vladivostok and come back by train.

LOL, Sean, if you still can, change your plans. South Korea these days is deeply evangelical Christian. You won't find any of the eastern spiritualism you constantly mythologize. You picked totally the wrong part of Asia.

[greg]

LOL, Sean, if you still can, change your plans. South Korea these days is deeply evangelical Christian. You won't find any of the eastern spiritualism you constantly mythologize. You picked totally the wrong part of Asia.

yeah, good luck finding Hindu temples in South Korea