Is this true about Japanese culture?

[Drake]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but here's what I've heard about Japanese culture:

Whenever Japanese people see someone different (like someone with blonde hair or something), they get really excited and think that person means good luck or something. They adore this person for their uniqueness.

Here in America, on the other had, when someone's different he or she gets ridiculed and is generally hated simply for being different (at least that's how it is around where I live). Why are Japanese values so much superior to American values?

[Margo]

One person in Japan freaked out because I said I was from America >>;; She kinda...like...ran away. XD

[topleka]

Um...well...yes and no...

To be perfectly honest, Asians are xenophobic. Yes, it's a generalization, but it's largely true.

When a Japanese person sees someone with blonde hair, it's cool because they're different. However, different isn't always good. Japanese culture thrives on turning its people into working drones who care more about the good of the country than their own well being. Someone who looks different may be fun or exciting, but they will never be fully accepted into the culture. If you've ever watched Bleach, you'll notice that Ichigo often talks about not fitting in because his hair is (naturally) a different color. Honestly, it seems that America is a lot more interested in indivudality and the rights of the person. In that aspect, Japanese values are not necessarily superior to those in America. If you need proof that Japanese culture forces people to become clones, just look at their education system. Everyone wears uniforms, and school is always about getting into the next grade so that you can get a good job and support the country. Look up 'cram school' for more details.

[Windy*]

Topleka summed it up pretty well.

My sensei, who's half-Japanese and has blonde hair, went to school in Japan for a while... they found her interesting, but she wasn't ever completely accepted because of race/appearance/etc. When it wasn't such a common thing, the Japanese were intrigued by foreigners with differently colored hair/eyes, but they were seen more as exotic items than people who could be part of their culture. No matter what, people who are different are alien in some way in Japan, from what I understand.

The younger generations of Japanese, though, seem to be defying the standards in their country lately, though... while they aren't allowed to change their hair or wear make-up in school and the workplace, they express themselves through fashion/music/etc. whenever they can outside of these places. It seems like an interesting movement is taking place.

(Sorry if any of my information is incorrect; this is just from what I know and have been told about Japanese culture, from my sensei and research.)

[Mat Growcott]

Everyone wears uniforms, and school is always about getting into the next grade so that you can get a good job and support the country.

My school, and i think most the ones in britain, are like that. Except they don't tell us it's to support the country. They says it for our "own good". (We're able to pay taxes :D)

Come to that, whats wrong with putting your own well being behind the good of your country? God help us if theres another world war. I see that opinion everywhere. We're dead if some diciplined country decides to start causing trouble. :D

[Drake]

Thank you guys for your input (I learned a lot, lol). I'm still mad at my country, though. At least the Japanese find unique people to be interesting and exotic. In America (or at least in my area), they're seen as disgusting, subhuman creatures, no matter what the politically correct ideal may be. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but the attitude around here towards people who are different generally isn't positive.

[Matt Cruea]

Why are Japanese values so much superior to American values?

Wow. It's really been a long time since I've seen a straight up post like this.

You give the internet a bad name, Drake.

[topleka]

My school, and i think most the ones in britain, are like that. Except they don't tell us it's to support the country. They says it for our "own good". (We're able to pay taxes :D)

Come to that, whats wrong with putting your own well being behind the good of your country? God help us if theres another world war. I see that opinion everywhere. We're dead if some diciplined country decides to start causing trouble. :D
I never said there was anything wrong with it. I actually wished my school had uniforms, but my campaign didn't garner much support. I was just saying that Japan emphasizes working together and country loyalty over individuality. I'm not sayone one is right or wrong, or even better or worse. Just that that's how it is.

[Belle]

To say that Japanese values are superior to westerners... I had to laugh out loud to that. Are you talking about the same country I'm thinking of? ^^;;; I actually don't get why people think Japan is so great. Besides the anime, manga, tech toys and video games there isn't much else to be desired. I shouldn't put my own culture down so much, but it's really ridiculous over there. They won't take a second thought to humiliate or even cause pain to each other just for entertainment value. It gets to the point of being cruel and down right sick sometimes. Not to mention the constant degrading of women that just seems to get worse and worse. I also don't really think they 'embrace' uniqueness all that much. There is no law there that says an establishment can't put up a "Japanese Only" sign on their place of business. And there won't ever be one cuz there is no way they can enforce it. I remember when I was younger I was told that Japan didn't like to let foreigners obtain citzenship in their country. I don't know if it was true, or still is, but I wouldn't be surprised. :/

[Jessica Adnee]

Well, I've never been to Japan OR lived there, so I can't really say.

I think that it depends on who you're talking to, in general. Every individual has their own opinion, but I'm sure you knew that. However, their opinion is usually affected by where they live.

This usually doesn't mean just country. I mean, people raised in San Fransisco are VERY different from people raised in Baltimore. It's just a different culture no matter where you go.

I'm sure it's the same for Japan, though, truly I can't say.

I think with the country as a whole though, Japan is very focused on work and advancing while America seems to be more focused on keeping people happy.

Now, both of these are good, and both of these are bad.

I think, what I'm trying to say is, really, no one is better than the other. I mean, maybe for somethings, but never one being completely superior.

I think as far as accepting people that are different, it depends on how different and different in what way, whether it be clothes, race, family life...

Some people are ignorant. It's sad, but honestly, there isn't much you can do.

The hint that I'm getting from the posts people have made are just that it's like some exotic woman coming to America. People are like, "Wow, you're so pretty/talented/whatever," yet they would never consider this woman as a wife.

Does that make any sense? I'm trying my best to get my point across and I think I'm failing terribly. ^^;;

[Allison Rose]

I'm still mad at my country, though. At least the Japanese find unique people to be interesting and exotic.

But... I think you might be idealizing this facet of Japanese culture. Most Japanese will find foreigners, for example, interesting and exotic the way you would find a panda in the zoo interesting and exotic. Like, "Woh, gaijin! Sugoi!" It's objectification. It's kind of flattering and amusing to constantly get such a reaction from people just for being different and foreign, but after a while, it could get really old for someone who's just trying to fit in and live their life. You know?

And then, as has already been mentioned in topleka's excellent post, Japanese society can be really harsh to their "own." Kids who are different get bullied. Conformity is a big deal.

I lived in Japan for a year, so I'm just speaking from what I know. Japan's a wonderful place and I admire many facets of Japanese society, but I wouldn't want anyone to think it's perfect! Sorry to hear you're feeling like there's so much pressure to conform around your local area... hope the situation improves!

[Windy*]

Drake, I believe you missed the point being made.

The Japanese do find foreigners to be interesting and exotic, but they don't completely ACCEPT them. That would be the ideal thing. Instead, they're a bit dehumanized because they *are* viewed as "exotic." (This is also why Asians in America are offended by the use of that term in reference to their nationality or ethnicity.)

We don't treat foreign things/people with hatred, generally, so I'm not sure where you're talking about - but I'd like to steer clear from it.

Japanese values are not superior to American values. Maybe in some cases they are better and more accepting (in SOME instances), but... no.

[Drake]

Yeah, I'm starting to think more and more that all this bigotry I see is just in my local area *cough* hickville *cough*. Oh well, I'll be out of here this summer when I head off to college. *celebrates*

[Chris Nagy]

Aw man, I missed this thread how?

For the gaijin, Japan consists of two groups: the "in-crowd" and you. And while this may net you a few admiring looks from the Make-up Caked Trend Teens (whose natural prey happens to include: you, and your wallet) and English-philes (natural prey: your command of the English language,) most of the time you'll get stares. And more stares. Staring that will only stop when you look at them, remain such for as long as you are looking at them, and then resume once you look away.

You'll get excluded from alot of things. There are restaurants and bath houses that will specifically bar your entrance, and heaven help you if you have a tatoo-- tatoos are more than body art over there.

If you're trying to escape bigotry, going to Japan (outside of Tokyo, and to a lesser extent outside of other large cities) would be the equivalent of finding backwater towns in the US South that had never even seen a black person before, but had plenty of stereotypes and rumours to regard as fact.

If you are looking to go to a place where you'll know no one, can communicate very little with anyone, have no idea how to do things as the natives would, and generally stumble your way through time, then Japan sounds like the place for you. My I suggest taking up alcoholism as a hobby?

[Drake]

Aw man, I missed this thread how?

For the gaijin, Japan consists of two groups: the "in-crowd" and you. And while this may net you a few admiring looks from the Make-up Caked Trend Teens (whose natural prey happens to include: you, and your wallet) and English-philes (natural prey: your command of the English language,) most of the time you'll get stares. And more stares. Staring that will only stop when you look at them, remain such for as long as you are looking at them, and then resume once you look away.

You'll get excluded from alot of things. There are restaurants and bath houses that will specifically bar your entrance, and heaven help you if you have a tatoo-- tatoos are more than body art over there.

If you're trying to escape bigotry, going to Japan (outside of Tokyo, and to a lesser extent outside of other large cities) would be the equivalent of finding backwater towns in the US South that had never even seen a black person before, but had plenty of stereotypes and rumours to regard as fact.

If you are looking to go to a place where you'll know no one, can communicate very little with anyone, have no idea how to do things as the natives would, and generally stumble your way through time, then Japan sounds like the place for you. My I suggest taking up alcoholism as a hobby?
I never really wanted to live in Japan, just visit it. Then again, I don't think I'd get all those stares you were talking about because even though I have no Asian blood in me, some people say I look Asian (see profile pic). Of course, I'd still probably get attacked by the "English-philes", lol.

I'm thinking of going to college in Southern California because there's generally very little bigotry there, or at least that's the impression I have of California. Plus, California is where "it" is at. You know what I mean?

[Chris Nagy]

You may look like you have a trace of asian blood to people over here, but that's it. Over there, you are 100% unmistakably Gaijin.

[Nikki Wright]

Like any other place, you see the "good" moreso than the bad because no one wants people to see that, holy crap, there are actually negative aspects about where they live. Good luck with that whole, "California is where IT is at.. and they have no bigotry,ogmz!!11" thing. Really.

Anyway.. to touch some more about Japan, because I like drilling shit into people's heads:



"But, this totally isn't what I expected of Japan!"

Of course it isn't. Japan has something my friends and I call "Export Culture" - they only show you EXACTLY what they want you to see. There's a lot about this country that a person just won't know and understand unless they live here for awhile. I was a Japanese minor in college, and came here before on a study abroad trip, and I'm still being surprised by things I'm finding here.

Face and image are of the utmost importance here. Japan doesn't even like admitting it's bad parts to itself. It sure isn't going to broadcast it to the world.
___________________

And no, this isn't bitterness talking. I'm not saying they all suck, but they may not be the goddesses some of you make them out to be. They are human, and come with their own faults which are no better (and in some ways worse) than any other race of women on the planet.
___________________

Down here in Kansai, getting on a train is not as simple as you'd think. You can be standing by yourself on the platform out in the middle of ka-bum-fuck, Japan, waiting for the train. When the train actually rolls up, you'll turn and see yourself absoultely surrounded by old women and businessmen. I swear, they just teleport in out of nowhere (at least they don't yell "Breasts!" at me...). The doors open, and it's literally every man, woman, and child for themselves in a battle to get a seat. They'll push and bump you out of the way, they just don't care. It's vicious.

Now, keeping this in mind...there are times when we are riding on the train, and yet no one, no one will sit next to us. There's plenty of space, we don't stink...but they just won't do it. So basically, Japanese people will elbow each other in the face to get a seat, but they won't sit next to us. Nice! It's easy to get discouraged by this, but we just have to remember that we are naturally spreading our Gaijin Perimeter.
___________________
However, no one actually told me this.

I can only assume that they expected me to somehow divine the meaning of the hat and gloves with my Gaijin Telepathy. This kind of thing happens all the time, and sometimes with really important stuff ("Hey, why didn't you come to my class today? What? No one told you?"). I kind of think that Japanese watched the movie X-Men/X2, and thought "Wow! Captain Picard is a telepath! All Gaijin must be telepaths!" Maybe they also expect me to control the weather too, which would explain why they're always saying "samui ne?" in the winter ("It's cold, huh?") and "atsui ne?" in the summer ("it's hot, huh?"). I guess I'm supposed to fly up, tilt my head, and say something like "Gods of the weather skies! Expel this cold front and give us good weather for golfing!" I will draw the line however if they ask me to use my adamantium claws to slice their sushi.

http://outpostnine.com/editorials/teacher.html, from articles, "Gaijin Smash!" and the "In Defense: A Quick FAQ" editorials. However, reading all of these can be a bit informational, if quite entertaining.

..And, no, there wasn't a real technical valid point behind the X-men stuff. I just thought it was funny. >D;;

[Mat Growcott]

Aren't there any active japanese VAA users on here who might say a word on this? I mean...it would be slightly worrying if there was none, seeing how much anime and jap obsession goes on here <_>...

[Drake]

You guys are destroying my idealized vision of Japan... ;-;

*cries for hours*

*sigh* ._. I guess Japan isn't really that great after all...THE WHOLE WORLD SUCKS!!! NOOOOOO!!!!!

*calms down* However, I still want to go to California, because though there may be no place on earth with zero bigotry, there sure as hell is less there than here in Redneck County. XD

[Nikki Wright]

Aren't there any active japanese VAA users on here who might say a word on this? I mean...it would be slightly worrying if there was none, seeing how much anime and jap obsession goes on here <_>...
I wonder what anime and Americans who are obsessed with Japanese culture has to do with someone who either is Japanese or lives in Japan being on the board?

[Mat Growcott]

I wonder what anime and Americans who are obsessed with Japanese culture has to do with someone who either is Japanese or lives in Japan being on the board?

My post is preety self explanitory :). I'll disect it a little if you want though.

First Point: Someone who is Japanese will be able to comment on any national bigotry there better then someone who has read about it on some website. Therefore if there are any Japanese users on these boards, they can set the record straight :O.

Second Point: And as an extension I was saying how strange it would be if on a website almost obsessed with japanese culture there were no active japanese users...Meh. Just my opinion.

Easy :).

[Edwyn]

I wish I were Japanese. Then I'd be popular. And everything will just go my way. Because I'd be Japanese and popular. Supercool, innit?

Also in regards to the second point: Why would it be a given that a board with a less than healthy obsession with anime and Japanese culture in general have actual Japanese on it? It'd be like going to a library and expecting a librarian to hover over you and explain aspects of a novel's content while reading. Or posting on the forum dedicated to some popular TV series/movies and expecting the creators of said TV series/movies to notice you. I mean sure, it can happen, but not to the point where such expectations can automatically be met.

And for that matter, why expect every Japanese to be automatically "in the know" about every aspect of their own culture? I, for one, am meant to be Australian and yet if you were to ask me to speak with an Aussie accent I would fail miserably. And don't even ask me about cricket or football. Or Australian Idol. I do however, have amusing stories about the various fauna and flora that exist in Australia though: Every single one of them can kill you. And that's my story.

[ig.]

It would be fair to say that Japan has an entertainment-based culture.

[Gabi Star]

Why are Japanese values so much superior to American values?

If by superior you mean Japan's inexplicable attatchment to the oppression of women.

[Matt Cruea]

Where is Byron?

[Drake]

If by superior you mean Japan's inexplicable attatchment to the oppression of women.
Well, if you had actually read this thread, it'd be pretty obvious to you that that's not what I meant. Throughout this thread I have also come to the conclusion that Japanese values aren't necessarily superior to American values.

[Mat Growcott]

Whoa. Sorry for the lengh it took to reply. I was mixing and forgot to check back.


Also in regards to the second point: Why would it be a given that a board with a less than healthy obsession with anime and Japanese culture in general have actual Japanese on it?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not surprised that there are no japanese here. They're probaly busy fan-dubbing the simpsons. I just think its weird that there are NO japanese regulars at the site (that i know of >_>). To keep making comparisons, its like a bunch of guys saying how hot a girl is but being scared to go up and say hi.

And to be fair, this isn't a site about japan. Its a site about voice acting that happens to have a large group of anime lovers. If it were a site about japan and its beliefs and such, then it would be surprising to find any Japanese here. But, why wouldn't a Japanese person want to fandub something or create a radio play?


And for that matter, why expect every Japanese to be automatically "in the know" about every aspect of their own culture? I, for one, am meant to be Australian and yet if you were to ask me to speak with an Aussie accent I would fail miserably.

I don't expect every hapanese to be automatically "in the know" about every aspect of their own culture. BUT, they'd be more in the know then us if there was some national conspiricy to make foreigners (or anyone different) feel unwelcome, and if so, why?

I doubt that's the case. T'is just stereotyping an entire nation. I'm sure they're as racist as the rest of us in the end, and just as wary of people who look different and act different to us.

[Gabi Star]

Well, if you had actually read this thread, it'd be pretty obvious to you that that's not what I meant. Throughout this thread I have also come to the conclusion that Japanese values aren't necessarily superior to American values.

No, I read the thread. Just stating another reason why Japan's culture is still primitive.

[Jessica Adnee]

No, I read the thread. Just stating another reason why Japan's culture is still primitive.

Oi, I wouldn't call it primitive, exactly.

It's just different, is all.


I think we all need a little lesson in cultural relativism. =D


EDIT: By the way, Nikki, those editorials you linked to... They are SO amusing.

[Drake]

skinny people want to be fat.
*raises left eyebrow* Um, not really. lol

(no offense to any overweight people reading this)

[Nikki Wright]

*raises left eyebrow* Um, not really. lol

(no offense to any overweight people reading this)
How do you know? Do you know every single skinny person in the world to say something like that? No. You don't. :facefault

I know many skinny people who wish they weren't skinny, or wished they could gain more weight.

[Windy*]

In the same sense, Nikkita can't say


Fat people want to be skinny, skinny people want to be fat. Large breasted women want a reduction, small breasted women want implants.

Unless she knew it was absolutely true for every case.

I think Drake was just saying it's not always true.

[Nikki Wright]

Well, if we're going to say Nikkita was absolute, then we have to say that Drake was being absolute 'cause I don't see any word in his statement that says, "not always true." o.o

[Belle]

Don't get me wrong. I'm not surprised that there are no japanese here.

Um, I'm half Japanese. Half my family is Japanese. My mom was the one who broke the Japanese-Japanese marriage thing when she married my father who is Canadian. :/ And he looks nothing like me *lol*


I wish I were Japanese. Then I'd be popular. And everything will just go my way. Because I'd be Japanese and popular.

*sigh* If only life worked that way. Last time I checked, I wasn't so popular or cool *lol* ^^;;

Edited ^^;;


BUT, they'd be more in the know then us if there was some national conspiricy to make foreigners (or anyone different) feel unwelcome, and if so, why?

I can't speak for all Japanese, but for myself it kinda makes sense I guess. Two words: Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They still suffer from those attacks to this day with all sorts of cancers arising from it. So, I don't blame them why they would be hesitant to let outsiders so easily into their embrace. If you've ever talk to a Japanese person on August 6th or 9th, don't mention that you are American. I know it sounds kinda dumb to have such a grudge for so long, but it was devasting to their country. It's remembered each year and I make a point to remember too for my family's sake. I wouldn't say it's the entire reason, but for the older generation I would guess it's a part of it.

I don't really want to go into the whole WWII, Pearl Harbour, and Japan's surrender thing. It's just you asked, so I thought you might want an answer. But like I said, there's probably more to it than that. And in recent years Japan has become more welcoming, but that's only recently. Probably with the growth of technology. But yeah ^^;;

[Drake]

I think Drake was just saying it's not always true.
Yes...thank you.


Well, if we're going to say Nikkita was absolute, then we have to say that Drake was being absolute 'cause I don't see any word in his statement that says, "not always true." o.o.
Well, Nikkita's statement didn't say "not always true" either. O.O

*plays staring game*

O.O
O.o
o.O
0.o

[Nikki Wright]

Well, Nikkita's statement didn't say "not always true" either. O.O
So you noticed my point. Good for you.

[Drake]

Nikkita was implying that in general, skinny people want to be fat. That is obviously not true. In general, skinny people are happy the way they are and would rather not become fat (which was my point).

[Matt Alan]

Nikkita was implying that in general, skinny people want to be fat. That is obviously not true. In general, skinny people are happy the way they are and would rather not become fat (which was my point).

Just last night, me and my cousin had this discussion. He's 17, 5'7" and maybe 120lbs. He wants to gain more weight, he's a shrimp and hates it. But no matter how much he eats, he can't gain weight, he doesn't do much of anything, just worksout his arms and can't work out anything else due to his lack of weight. XD; So, yeah, skinny people don't always wants to be skinny.

I've been on both ends of the totem pole, when I was younger, I was tall and skinny, and wanted more weight. But then I got even taller, and got all the weight I wanted, and then some. Now, I want to lose it. XD; I think people are most happy, when they're somewhere in the middle.

[Drake]

Just last night, me and my cousin had this discussion. He's 17, 5'7" and maybe 120lbs. He wants to gain more weight, he's a shrimp and hates it. But no matter how much he eats, he can't gain weight, he doesn't do much of anything, just worksout his arms and can't work out anything else due to his lack of weight. XD; So, yeah, skinny people don't always wants to be skinny.

I've been on both ends of the totem pole, when I was younger, I was tall and skinny, and wanted more weight. But then I got even taller, and got all the weight I wanted, and then some. Now, I want to lose it. XD; I think people are most happy, when they're somewhere in the middle.

There's a difference between wanting to be fat and wanting to gain weight in muscle or bone mass.

[Matt Alan]

There's a difference between wanting to be fat and wanting to gain weight in muscle or bone mass.

No. He wanted to be heavier. Not buff. Heavier. :D

[Matt Cruea]

Nikkita was implying that in general, skinny people want to be fat.

You are completely retarded and have absolutely no idea how an "example" works.

[Belle]

I think all this "skinny vs fat people" thing would be better served in its own topic since it really has nothing to do with the original topic at hand. I would think the admins would have noticed this instead of participated in it. *applauds the work of the admins*

[Edwyn]

Drake, it's a frickin' EXAMPLE. You wanting to be Japanese = "grass is greener on the other side" syndrome. That's all Nikkita was trying to imply, followed by a series of examples that would make sense. For example, I could say (being racially Asian) that I occasionally wish I was Caucasian do avoid being stoned to death by white supremicists. DO NOT TAKE SAID EXAMPLES IN A COMPLETELY LITERAL SENSE. DO NOT INGEST SAID EXAMPLES. IF PAIN PERSISTS, PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL MEDICAL ADVISORY.


I think all this "skinny vs fat people" thing would be better served in its own topic since it really has nothing to do with the original topic at hand. I would think the admins would have noticed this instead of participated in it. *applauds the work of the admins*

I, on the otherhand, applaud the efforts of people who can't comprehend the use of allegory to explain a statement. It must take an extraordinary level of genius to be able to twist the use of a simple example into a potential site for dramafuck. *applauds the work of said geniuses*

[Drake]

No. He wanted to be heavier. Not buff. Heavier. :D
I think your cousin wants to gain weight in bone mass (i.e. get taller, broader shouldered, etc.) Or maybe he's extremely thin and wants to gain enough fat so that he has a normal, healthy amount of fat. But I seriously doubt your cousin wants to be fat. Even if for some mind-boggling reason your cousin really does want to be fat (aka multiplying your chances of contracting several deadly diseases, decreasing your mobility, and becoming less attractive), he's in the minority. That brings me to my original point: In general, thin people do not wish to become fat.


Drake, it's a frickin' EXAMPLE. You wanting to be Japanese = "grass is greener on the other side" syndrome. That's all Nikkita was trying to imply, followed by a series of examples that would make sense.
Yes, but the problem is one of her examples (the skinny people generally wanting to be fat example) didn't make sense. I even agree that people almost always think the grass is greener on the other side. I was just pointing out a flaw in her example.

[Drake]

Drake, you still don't get it... Please stop before you make me weep uncontrollably for humanity.
Well apparently someone's not getting something, so you're just gonna have to weep. Sorry.

;-;