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Love everything or you're a hater? -
11-09-2010, 10:48 AM
In another thread I was somewhat amused to note that at least one poster on here believes I hate Japan. Amused because nothing could be further from the truth. I love living here.
It seems to me that for some on here you have to love every little aspect of everything in this country or you get labelled a hater and your reasons for living here are brought into question. It also seems for some that any criticism by a foreigner living here is only because of a lack of understanding of the culture or language and if you totally understood both of these then of course there could not be any valid criticisms whatsoever. Which is utterly ridiculous as far as I'm concerned. It's not like every Japanese person out there is it totally happy with every aspect of their lives here so why should foreigners be expected to be totally happy with every aspect? Personally I find the idea that anyone could live anywhere and be absolutely and totally happy with every single aspect of the society they live in to be also ridiculous. I mean this forum is littered with somewhat desperate people who strongly dislike where they currently live and look to Japan as some sort of utopian land in which all their dreams will come true. None of us live in utopia, there's no such place! So anyone somewhat reasonable has to admit that Japan is not a perfect society, not everything here is amazingly great. So why is it then if some of us wish to discuss some of those not so good (in our opinion) aspects we immediately get labelled as haters? Is there some requirement for living in Japan I didn't know about it? We have to love everything about it or we shouldn't live here?  
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11-09-2010, 11:53 AM
Yeah, I feel like you and I are often criticized for our honest opinions simply because we tend to say things how they really are rather than what everyone here wants to hear.
I wouldn't be here if I didn't like the place, and I can say that for anywhere else I've settled down. But it seems that if we try to even bring up one thing that is just wrong/unfair/inconvenient about Japan in any sense, we get labeled as haters. If anything we have all the more right to voice our opinion because unlike 99% of this forum we actually live here (let alone have visited). I think that you don't even have an opinion unless you either live here or have been here for an extended period, because what can you stand behind other than what you've read or seen on TV? If I could only tell you guys some of the BS I've dealt with since I've been here, but I choose not to because as much as I deal with, there are still a lot of great things about living in Japan. But I'm not going to act like Japan is the promise land because that's ridiculous. My photos from Japan and around the world: http://www.flickr.com/dylanwphotography
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11-09-2010, 12:55 PM
I've never thought that or have been given that impression.
I've been in Japan 3 times, twice for 11 days and once for 2 years. While I love to visit and would like to spend more than 11 days at a time, I know that living there for me wouldn't be wise. Even if I was fluent, the difference in culture would be hard to get accustomed to. Then there's the underlying hints of racism that exist. It's quite subtle at times but it's there. They have cool customs and traditions, while others are not so nice. One has to take the good with the bad and weigh it as a whole, while not criticizing something you're not fully knowledgeable about. While I've been there on more than one occasion, I've only scratched the very surface of what's really there, but I can tell that it's not hunky-dory for most people. I read what people say here and take it with a grain or two of salt. While some have this googly-eyed view of Japan and would love to live there without actually having been there, others have a more realistic view of things. Age may have something to do with some of the views and opinions, but I can't generalize. I've read some of your answers that may be construed as "hating", but never felt that was your intention or feeling. I can like the culture and hate the food. It doesn't mean I hate the place or wouldn't live there. I'd just change my gastronomical approach to living there, that's all. I'd at least try the food instead of dismissing it outright, but that one aspect wouldn't be my only way to judge and entire country. I think I've rambled on too long on and am starting to make no sense. In conclusion, I never thought either one of you to be a "hater".... I don't like labeling people-it's not wise.
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11-09-2010, 01:23 PM
Quote:
I believe you are in a AMerican University in Japan. are you studying Japanese there or other things? what is your current impression and of course I expect you mix with many other students. will you be allowed to stay inJapan once you have finished your studying? Do you live on campus or homestaying maybe? Mixing with Japanese residents? Ps surely no country is Perfect. How could it be?
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11-09-2010, 01:33 PM
Native/Wings>Honestly I think some people are really proud and get defensive really easily. It is probably this type of person who is overreacting to what you guys may have written, and from what I have seen neither of you stray off the deep-end in your points of view, and the facts you mention, are in line with what I have seen or experienced or have heard of others seeing or experiencing, as I live here as well and have for quite some time now.
Bottom line, some people cannot take criticism well, even if it is not directly about them. And I understand about at some point people wanting to defend their country's honor/reputation, but there is a point where their fervor to do this blinds them to valid points people make, and just triggers the same watchdog reaction as unfounded criticism would.
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11-09-2010, 02:28 PM
Quote:
However, here are two points that need to be addressed. The first is that there's a huge difference between making a basic critique and saying something completely out of line. If I (or anyone else) were to slander/use hate speech/etc. to describe an aspect of Japanese culture and depict it in a negative light but in a false manner, then I would expect many people to rise to the occasion to not only defend themselves (and their country), but to also set the record straight. But something as mundane as an opinion on food doesn't require this kind of protocol. The other point (although not as significant) is that you're assuming that those who are defending are Japanese themselves. Most of the crap we get isn't even from Japanese, it's "weaboos" who have never even stepped foot in the country but they lay themselves on the line to defend an issue they've never experienced. I don't know if these people think that they're not going to encounter the same issues that every gaijin goes through or what, but they speak in a manner that's as if they're some type of authority on the issue and then try to belittle us for "going against the grain" or whatever, just because we admit that there are negative things about living here just like everywhere else. My photos from Japan and around the world: http://www.flickr.com/dylanwphotography
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11-10-2010, 07:57 PM
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everything is relative and contradictory ~
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11-10-2010, 08:08 PM
I'll be honest, I think both of you try and "keep it real" and balanced by sometimes giving negative responses to questions. However, I don't think that is giving a balance. I don't see that many "Japan is utopia" types on here (not as much as there were a few years ago) and that is due to honest and real responses to fantastical questions.
For example, when asked to describe Japanese food, Wings chose the word "gross". GoNative, you admit you are just there for the snow. I think you both can be very direct, which is fine, but at the same time, I don't think anyone has said what the title of this thread is saying, so I am not sure why you are getting defensive.
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11-10-2010, 08:32 PM
Quote:
everything is relative and contradictory ~
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