Quote:
Originally Posted by masaegu
I just don't want you to be one of those complainers because as of now I actually have no negative feelings about you like I do with some others here.
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I don't doubt that you overhear a lot, hell I'm white and any racial stereotyping will assume that I can understand English and yet I also overhear a lot of foreigners talking about a lot of similar points.
For that reason I guess I can't be surprised that when you read my points you took them as "complaining" but the truth is that it was meant only as a way for visitors to the country to have an idea of what to expect.
Looking back, I can easily see that what I wrote was not written in the best way to show that what is there is how things
appear and not how they
are.
I removed the ambiguity from the original post, and apologize for coming across the wrong way, I'm not used to having to be so explicit to be understood, everyone that knows me in real life understands I'm not
that typical foreigner.
I honestly don't see the things I've written as negative in anyway.
As I explained earlier about chivalry, the whole "gentlemen" concept is entirely western and of course Japanese culture doesn't abide by that. It doesn't mean the men here are assholes. That is an inference that someone might easily make though, understandably.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Columbine
What do you suggest Masaegu? It would be useful to hear from the other end of the spectrum too; what common mistakes or misinterpretations do you think people should be aware of if they travel to Japan?
Heres some of my tips/experiences for living in Japan:
In some suburbs and back-streets, storm drains and -large- flood gutters aren't always covered, so be careful walking at the edge of the road on poorly lit streets, or after very heavy rain. It's not a fun place to fall into, as some can be about 4' deep.
You may be used to talking casually with your friends on the way home from where-ever late at night; walking amongst housing and doing so WILL disturb people, so be considerate and lower your volume in this case. Houses tend to have thinner walls and glazing so in some places you will be easily overheard. You'd be surprised at how much even a normal voice will carry. Also consider that there are plenty of people who attend school or work overtime early on saturdays, or only get to sleep in on sundays so weekend nights are no excuse to be noisier.
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I honestly think it's very difficult for someone living in a culture all their lives to understand how it might be perceived by a visitor. Which is why I did that list. The other side of the coin might be interesting.
"How foreigners are perceived by Japanese people"
Columbine I like those two points, they are both very valid! Would you mind if I added them to the list on the first page?