Quote:
Originally Posted by GoNative
I find this interesting and I suspect his comments are not unrepresentative.
I also think this is one of the reasons why the Japanese governement have been reticent to opening up the borders to immigration. I think this country is held together and works as well as it does only because of what he refers to as "how to be Japanese". Western ways of thinking here would definitely have major consequences, both good and bad. But they would be unpredictable and from my experience the Japanese people aren't too keen on unpredictable. They love an order to things. With much of the population well taught in "how to be Japanese" it's not too hard to predict how they will react. I think one of the hardest things for the Japanese in interactions with foreigners is that they can't predict very well how they will react.
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Yes, A good side to that is we Japanese can communicate among ourselves with less words because we can predict/assume what the other person position/reaction would be. Foreigners like Americans are very vocal which is good also since everything is clear and in the open. Put the two together as is and it doesn't mix will. The Japanese person comes off thinking the American is too selfish and aggressive(simply because he says things openly and in black and white) while the American comes off thinking the Japanese are two faced and racist( simply because they don't say whats on there minds but ultimately behave in a way that the American can read between the lines later). That came out sounding bad, more simply, The American thought his Japanese friend thought one way only to find out later(somehow or another) that his friend actually thought different. It's hard to make this clear, I think americans in Japan know what I'm getting at.
Does this fit into changing to fit in? I don't know. But I agree with Steve that it would be in the visitors best interest to get some of this covered. At least what it takes to get a job and a place to live.