Quote:
Originally Posted by kunitokotachi
I know some of you are worried about the race issue but for the most part Japanese people won't even pay attention to you. Everyone for the most part will mind their own business. In fact, a lot of them may make an attempt to not make contact with you at all; Japanese people have a very busy lifestyle and usually have other things on their mind. They may stare occasionally if you are in an area where they are not accustom to seeing foreigners.
Is there racism? Of course and I encountered it. I ended up becoming friends with one guy who was racist against all foreigners. He was the "everyone stay out of my country" type. He even told me that he use to not even like half Japanese like me or even those with full Japanese blood born outside of Japan. He changed but all his old friends stayed racist. There is also this crazy right-wing group (I forget what they are called) that drive around the city shouting propaganda through a mega phone. They even still fly the old Japanese flag, the one with the red sun and rays emanating from it. From what I am told they are more dangerous than the Yakuza (Japanese mafia); Yakuza can actually be nice sometimes but that's another story. My advice is to let the crazy right-wing say what they want to say and leave them the alone. If you don't bother them and let them what they want to say they should leave you alone.
Now, here is the real things you have to worry about. You need to worry about the culture, customs, and your mannerism. You are going to have to modify yourself to an extent. You don't want to offend your host family or the people at the place you are staying; like dorms or whatever. Also, know what you are getting into. Your love or excitement for Japan may not get you through. I actually know a bunch of people that left Japan hating it. Here's some of the things that you should know. Research some things for yourself and I will list some more things if I think of them.
Bathing: You may end up in a place sometimes that don't provide showers. So, girls will have to bathe with the other girls and guys will have to bathe with the other guys. Which means you will have to undress and bare yourself to others you don't know and you will have to see them too. Also, the bath filled with hot water in these cases are not for bathing yourselves. Do Not get in their and start washing yourselves. That bath is for after you have cleaned yourself. You just sit in and relax, letting your pores open up.
先輩と後輩: I hate typing in romanized letters. Anyway, what I typed stands for "seniors" and "juniors." In Japanese society you always have people who are your seniors and people who are your juniors whether it is in the school setting or work setting. Someone once told me that they wanted to attend high school in Japan. Those of you thinking the same thing be prepared to get smacked in your head or kicked in your butt sometimes by your seniors. Your senior may shout or strike at you to make sure you understand the system. Also, Saturday schools... not for me. In the work setting it is not uncommon for your seniors or boss to yell at you for making a mistake. You may hear something like, "You idiot can't you follow simple instructions or do anything right?" Also, you may end up doing more work than you are accustomed to so be prepared. There may even be cases where you may have to address friends that are only a year older as "maam" or "sir."
Food: bring enough money so that you can eat out sometimes. Your dorm or wherever may have food that you absolutely may not be able to consume. We all some things that just don't agree with us. So, you can usually go to a Mc Donalds, noodle shop, or somewhere else with Japanese food you will like.
Mentality: Don't come with these types of mentality: 1. "You people are backwards," 2. "Why do you people have to do that or think like that," 3. "I can kick everyones ass, matter of fact do you have a problem,"
Eating: It's ok to sip or slurp when eating noodles but other than that no. Also, there are like more than 10 rules of etiquette when using chopsticks. If you are being treated or eating at a host family's house, always make sure you say "itadakimasu" before eating and "gochisousama deshita" after finishing your meals; otherwise it's not polite.
Getting laid: seriously, if you are going there for this just stay your ass at home.
Toilets: some places may not have the sitting type toilets that you are accustomed to. You may have to squat in a porcelain hole in the ground.
This is just common sense: don't go there to fight, harrass people, change their ways, etc. Just go there to truly take in the culture and learn something. As Bruce Lee always said, "you have to empty your cup" if not you will go to Japan filled with your preconceptions and not allow yourself the experience without bias.
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Thank you! That one really did help!