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RickOShay (Offline)
JF Old Timer
 
Posts: 604
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: USA, formerly Shizuoka for 7 years.
05-20-2011, 11:19 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gahzirra View Post
I find it funny that you use the term "fit in" how about being open minded or wanting to experience something other than you are use to. Guess we should all give strange looks at the Japanese that are eating In N' Out burgers wearing shorts and a T-shirt...shouldn't they be having sushi wearing traditional outfits.

I would be that guy wearing a yukata, why, because I am in Japan to experience a different culture, people, and life style. Should I avoid going to onsen's is that too extreme as well? There is a saying "when in Rome."

When in Japan I avoided areas like Roppongi or Azubu juban simply because they were a gaijin hot spots. Does this make me a weird person? I think not. I was in Japan to experience the people and the culture not to go sit at a British pub surrounded by other gaijin, just like I could be doing at home.

So people can think whatever they want of me, or feel embarrassed(as another poster stated) about my need to "fit in" but I will be enjoying myself and experiencing things I never would have.
I think Nyororin is referring to people who take the extreme of rejecting their own culture and trying to join Japanese culture- living in a fantasy land of being something that they are not. And the problem with that is this person will never be considered to be Japanese (by Japanese people), and probably does not have a genuine understanding behind all the things they are doing. It is one thing to want to come and experience things, and it is another to live in a delusional fantasy land (that many people who have idolized Japan seem to try to live in).

Last edited by RickOShay : 05-20-2011 at 11:22 PM.
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