Quote:
Originally Posted by MMM
Yes, much reading is done on trains or in conbinis or bookstores.
But at least people in Japan still read. It is one of the most well-read societies in the world.
Every generation laments the actions of generation younger.
I find this overwrought generalization that Japan is a "society of followers" a little played out and confusing to those that don't really know what it means. Deviation may be seen as odd, but it doesn't mean deviation doesn't happen. That was my point of the last post. Just because I don't tell you what my true interests are, doesn't mean I don't have them.
I think it is a bit like sexual fantasies and the west. Most people in the US do not casually discuss their sexual fantasies or fetishes, even with close friends. It's a bit like hobbies in Japan. Everyone has them, but they aren't discussed openly.
I don't think it is necessarily a fear of being cast away, as much as a fear of bringing too much attention to oneself.
I knew a high school girl when I was teaching in Japan that had a fascination with Australia. She was one of the hardest working students of English I knew, so I made helping her get to Australia for a study abroad a personal goal of mine. We were able to get it done, and she spent a semester in Sydney. The funny thing was, many of her classmates didn't know she was going until she was gone. She didn't want them to know... and I couldn't understand why. Now I think I understand a little better.
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I know what you mean. Well, in Europe we don;t have issues with discussing sexual fantasies and what have ya, but i noticed that (thorugh Americans that i have met) that Americans care too much about what others say about them. Or maybe it's me, as i reallly dont give a damn. Though i get what you meant by that.
The shoolgirl bit reminded me about something interesting I came accross when I was writing a book about Japan, about kids at grammar school learning foreign languages. If one is fluent then others will not envy him, as it would happen in western part of the world, but will treat him as a weirdo. I still strongly belive that this is going deep itto Japanese tendency to isolation, group-based interactions, and individualism being a subject taboo　(which consequently leads to serious complexes).
Well-read as in they read a lot? But are those books any good? Remember that they need to read as if they dont they will forget how to very quick.