what is the real Japan like? - Page 4

MMM · (#31 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by komenasai

hai . . . im new here . . . . do u guys now how to speak japanese ??? coz i wanna learn o . . . .

Yes...I do. If you go to the "Learning Japanese" area you'll find a lot of people just like you...

MMM · (#32 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyororin

I`ll have lived here for 10 years this coming March. I first came over here when I was 17.
Japan isn`t a magical land of happiness. It isn`t the answer to anyone`s problems either, no matter what people seem to think. (Not saying that directly to anyone in this thread. Just... Well, browse through other threads and that seems to be the impression way too many people have.)

It`s a place, just like any other place, with good and bad. In 10 years, I`ve never experienced any problems due to not being Japanese - but enough people apparently have for it to be considered an issue. I have to wonder exactly what a lot of those people were doing at the time that they had a problem, as 99% of the time if you speak Japanese and behave like a Japanese person would in the same situation, you won`t have any trouble.

I agree with Nyororin...There are things that are better than at home, and things that are worse, but I would certainly recommend checking it out if you have an interest in Japan.

If you are just interested in anime and manga, which is fine, as I am too, you can find neat stuff, but none of it will be in English. Pretty much all English-language stuff is published in the US or UK or whereever.

DesiredMess · (#33 (**permalink**))

Do you like it better in Japan or America, and what are some of the biggest culture gaps? And how are the people over in Japan different from American behavior wise?

I'm sorry, I really want to learn up on the culture. I'm serious about moving to Japan one day, and I want to learn how to live like a Japanese instead of one of those complaining homesick foreigners.

DesiredMess · (#34 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMM

Yes...I do. If you go to the "Learning Japanese" area you'll find a lot of people just like you...

Haha, sorry..I had to laugh.

How much language should you know before you go to Japan? And what are some good courses to learn it? Sorry again for so many questions...I'm just curious.

MMM · (#35 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesiredMess

Do you like it better in Japan or America, and what are some of the biggest culture gaps? And how are the people over in Japan different from American behavior wise?

I'm sorry, I really want to learn up on the culture. I'm serious about moving to Japan one day, and I want to learn how to live like a Japanese instead of one of those complaining homesick foreigners.

Some things I like better in Japan, like not needing a car, and the food. Other things I like better in America.

There are tons of cultural differences in places you wouldn't expect, like how people stand in line (much closer than in the US) and how people tend to use cash over credit cards (there are no debit cards or checks). So that keeps it exciting. I am considering moving back someday...

MMM · (#36 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesiredMess

Haha, sorry..I had to laugh.

How much language should you know before you go to Japan? And what are some good courses to learn it? Sorry again for so many questions...I'm just curious.

The more the better. Not many Japanese feel comfortable speaking English, even if they know fairly well (which not a high percent do). Courses?

DesiredMess · (#37 (**permalink**))

I hope you don't mind me asking, but why did you move out of Japan?

Courses as in language learning ads. I should look in the other forum for language, but since you lived there and seem to be frequent I'm wondering how you learned the language well enough to have lived there.

Hatredcopter · (#38 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesiredMess

And how are the people over in Japan different from American behavior wise?

Like MMM said, there's lots of cultural differences -- some that will seem strange and some not-so-strange. For one thing, Japanese appear to be very reserved in public, but not quite so at the bar or at home.

For example, in an American hospital, you'll often see complete strangers chatting and talking with each other. In a Japanese hospital waiting room, everyone is dead silent. That doesn't mean Japanese people are cold or anything, though - once you get to know a person, they're very much more open and friendly.

There's all sorts of little things too. For example, it's perfectly acceptable to ask a person their weight (including a woman). It's also perfectly acceptable to slurp your noodles and make a bit of noise while eating them - it's considered a compliment to the chef.

I've spent over four years learning Japanese, lived there for 1.5 years (moving back next year for JET), studied abroad there and lived with a host family as well as in a dormitory at a Japanese university. I also interned at a law firm there for a couple months doing some basic translation work.

If you have any questions, just ask

.

DesiredMess · (#39 (**permalink**))

Thank you so much!!

Yeah, I heard they are more reserved, or polite, in public than America.

But one thing is, I think it's acceptable to ask someone their weight because most of the Japanese are so skinny! I always wanted to know their secret to thinness. >__>

Is it expensive to live in Japan? And what are some good paying jobs you can get over in Japan as a foreigner?

Nyororin · (#40 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesiredMess

Do you like it better in Japan or America, and what are some of the biggest culture gaps?

I definitely prefer it here. I feel uncomfortable and strange in the US when I visit.
As for culture "gaps"... That is a pretty difficult question. There are tons of little things.

Quote:

And how are the people over in Japan different from American behavior wise?

People tend to respect other people. Most people don`t abuse their "rights", just because they`re in a position to do so.
Example, in case it`s hard to figure out what I mean;
A crosswalk - In the US, people will (often) cross as slowly as possible, because they have the right of way. If someone hits them, it`s their fault. Who cares if they`re inconveniencing the people waiting! It`s their *right* to take as long as they feel like.
In Japan, most people will hurry across, often even nodding in appreciation to the cars that stopped for them.

There doesn`t seem to be nearly as much "I`m better than everyone else, screw them." crap.

Quote:

I'm sorry, I really want to learn up on the culture. I'm serious about moving to Japan one day, and I want to learn how to live like a Japanese instead of one of those complaining homesick foreigners.

The thing is, some people can do this, and some people end up turning into complainers because they just aren`t capable of adjusting. I think that this is far more of a problem now than when I first came to Japan. At the time, there weren`t as many people who wanted to visit/live in Japan. There were a lot fewer urban-legend level impressions floating around. And people usually didn`t form their entire images of the country from anime/manga.

Quote:

How much language should you know before you go to Japan?

This depends a LOT on how old you are and how long you plan on being in Japan.
If you`re young, and are going to be here for a long time, then you can easily get away with not studying much of anything and picking it up here. If you`re in your 30s and are going to be here for 2 weeks, then learn as much as you can ASAP.

Quote:

And what are some good courses to learn it?

Can`t answer this one as I learned here, no courses.