Quote:
Originally Posted by Nyororin
These things are also related to politics, in my opinion.
I think you`ve hit the nail on the head here with the comment about it being personal. People aren`t likely to expose their opinions on something when it isn`t personal enough to illicit an immediate reaction. General politics and religion are things that aren`t considered that personal by most.
|
You're right that I don't have any close friends in Japan, only friends and acquaintances, as a result I haven't had any discussions in which these topics bring up real opinions.
That in itself is a major difference.
In north America, with any class or category of friendship or relation, strangers and friends alike, you can quite easily get into a heated and sometimes aggressive argument on these topics because
they do take it personally. That's a major cultural difference.
This to me is the major difference I was pointing out.
I did say that "at home people are a lot more expressive than they are with friends or strangers", perhaps I should have said "at home or with close friends".
I'm glad that Japanese people generally have the sense to not do such things with mere strangers or simple friends.
But like I said, you're right, I haven't had many honest conversations with many Japanese people, it's a rare thing indeed.
I had an honest conversation with a Mexican guy I met on the train, for 10 minutes, but after 3 years of friendship with a few different people, I still have point out that their tatemae is transparent as plastic wrap and I feel it devalues our friendship to receive it when the truth is equally clear as crystal.
What I mean to say though is that...
Religion and politics are safe to talk about because they aren't personal, whereas in the west they are.
Like you pointed out though, even if you do talk about it, don't expect to hear someone's real opinion on the matter. Just be glad they don't blow up in your face like a westerner might. lol
edit:
I feel I should add that while I do raise religion and politics in conversation quite often, I very sincerely doubt that I've upset anyone or caused them to go home thinking "I can't believe he said such and such". At least not in the last few years lol.
I've been aware for some time that even if i did upset someone, they wouldn't show it to me. As a result I've been very careful, hyper sensitive even, about the way I discuss these topics.
I usually bring them up more seriously with people who are going abroad so they know what to expect, that's a bit of a special case though.