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Even so I still find them incredibly naive and ignorant of the world around them. I often engage them in conversation about politics and world events and more often than not it's a completely fruitless excercise as they have no idea what I'm talking about or just have no opinion of their own to contribute. As lovely a people as they are I find them to be very credulous.
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I don't know how long you have been here but you are showing an ignorance of basic Japanese culture. I guess you don't stab your rice with chopsticks or keep your shoes on in people's houses. So why don't you understand the Japanese way of expressing your opinion?
While the average Japanese holds many views and opinions on many things, they rarely discuss them with anyone that are not "close" friends or family.
1. They do not wish to upset the conversation by offering an argumentative view, they say nothing or act vague.
2. To talk about a taboo subject casually is tantamount to admiting you have done this thing.
3. Many Japanese do not like to make a mistake or say something wrong, they will act as in point 1. say nothing or act vague.
These things do not mean they are naive or lack worldly wisdom. Just that is not good manners to talk about these things in a casual way, with people you do not know well.
Many Japanese study English abroad and witness many of our home town habits. Some even join in. But when they get home it is never talked about.