Some great stories here and so familiar.
It seems to be a luck and situation feeling about living in Japan.
Belyvis, I feel for you and nothing worse that arriving to live in a foreign country only to feel shut out. I had a few mates that always felt the same, but then I had a few mates who experienced the opposite.
I found the Nara area of Kansai was a lot more friendlier than Kyoto and the distance between the towns is so small compared to Australia.
I don't think it's a secret that the general public poulation and company workplace are just not friendly places. It's a horrible feeling and I think it takes at least two years to work the mind around that and find out what it's all about.
GTJ I think your experience sounds similar to mine as I could brush aside and laugh at many stupid and strange things and look on the brighter side and find funny reasons within my mind. Other foreigners can't do that and generally feel sick.
I was fantastic teaching kids, they all loved me, but I had a huge problem in getting on with the Japanese Kacho and Bucho's.
