Originally Posted by RealJames (Post 868871)

I can honestly say that in general the number and quality of friendships the average North American has are far more and far stronger than those of the average Japanese person.

Originally Posted by Kayci (Post 868947)

You would get thrown off for me. I apologize even when giving compliments.

I hope I do well. I have known their oldest son for a long time. (If anyone remembers my first post 4 years ago, he was the first boyfriend I had that was going back to Japan. xD)

I wonder what kind of gift would be appropriate though. I heard food specialty, and books are nice, but in my town, we are known for tri-tip, and thats...mainly it. (We grow pistachios and the county holds the raisin capital of the world, it claims, though.)

I have 33 days until I leave, and as it gets closer I get more stressed about what to get. I do want to make a good impression.

Originally Posted by RealJames (Post 868949)

i gave a fishing lure from canada to my gfs father ... he was pretty stoked about that...
figure out what hobies they are into and find something american which isn't sold in japan

Originally Posted by MMM (Post 868948)

There have been pages of responses I haven't read yet, so please excuse if I am repeating something someone has already said.

I would say without question there is no basis in fact for the above sentence. I agree with a lot you say, RealJames, but I think it is viciously short-sighted to say Japanese do not have close or deep relationships like North Americans do.

YOU may not have deep relationships with Japanese people, but that doesn't mean Japanese people do not have such relationships with each other.

I am surprised you made this statement, really.

Originally Posted by RealJames (Post 868952)

I'm kind of surprised too when i see it quoted in your post,
i said it based on my observations of my gf, her brother, and a few other people's friendship dynamics and the role those friendships play in their lives

they certainly have deep and strong friendships, just fewer, with less frequent visits and at a lower relative priority to other parts of life,

my friendships aren't that bad actually but it took some training lol,
just my observations of other peoples friendships though

Originally Posted by Nameless (Post 868958)

I have a question, how frequent is that fascination with foreigner people ( westerners)?, also does this apply only to Caucasians? I hope it does, If I ever went to japan, I would feel awkward for having other people's attention...

How much time, does it usually take for a foreigner, to blend into a Japanese context?

I do not want to live there, (god no, it sounds like a hell covered with cherry blossoms), however having vacations there at some point of my life, would be nice.

Originally Posted by RealJames (Post 868926)

All those things are still okay, just with a call first and like "I bought some stuff for you and I'd like to drop it off, when's a good time to pass by?" and then not enter the house unless sincerely invited in.

If the phones kept ringing with no answer, contacting a family member to express concern would be the next step, a good friend would have family's contact info or a way to get it.

Originally Posted by dogsbody70 (Post 868967)

My friend lives in one room in her landlady's home. Other students also live there. Her landlady had told me to call any time.

Anyway its all in the past now so thats that. If you can't phone what are yousupposed to do?