The word 'Gaijin'

[chachava]

Why is it that the only people who say this word are non-Japanese people?

My girlfriend is Japanese and she hates the word - says many Japanese people get very offended when it is said so why on earth do foreigners (especially ones always spouting off about how Japan is racist and hates them) use a slightly racist term to describe themselves

[Ultraseven]

Well, I was in japan last year (in the Parasite Museum, Meguro!!!) and my girlfriend heard someone said 'gaijin' to their friend about her, presumably because not many foreigners are seen there?

[godwine]

Interestingly, during my trip last year, we were traveling from Kyoto to Nara. On Fushimi, there was a group of student traveling, they are young, probably grade 1 or 2, one of them run up to my Italian friend Dave (who dozed off), look at his friend and said "Gaijin, sugoi ne"

But then, they are kids, so i guess its forgivable

[Nathan]

People that get upset by the word "gaijin" are holding a double standard unless they also think the word "foreigner" is also offensive imo.

Is your girlfriend equally upset by the word "gaikokujin"?

[chachava]

Originally Posted by Nathan

Is your girlfriend equally upset by the word "gaikokujin"?

No, but that is never used as an insult...

[Ultraseven]

She was initially upset when she heard this, and when she told me (after I'd finished buying my Parasite Museum Merchandise), I said that that's exactly what she is, a 'foreigner'. I don't know why people think that the word alone is offensive. Baka Gaijin on the other hand...

[chachava]

Originally Posted by Ultraseven

She was initially upset when she heard this, and when she told me (after I'd finished buying my Parasite Museum Merchandise), I said that that's exactly what she is, a 'foreigner'. I don't know why people think that the word alone is offensive. Baka Gaijin on the other hand...

It originated as a derogatory slang term though... that is why. It's like black people calling themselves 'niggers' - it doesn't really carry the same weight now, but it originates from a far worse meaning

[Henbaka]

Well japanese people say it too. Even though I've also heard from some friends that they don't really like it beeing used.

I just can't help to laugh when you say "many Japanese people get very offended when it is said". Seriously, a Japanese person can't be "very offended" by a derogatory term pointed towards NON-Japanese people. That's just ridicilous. They can be unhappy with how the word is used, but not offended by hearing it!

Much like a white person can't get offended by hearing the n-word (even though that's stronger), even if he/she can be angry that it's used.

Originally Posted by chachava

Why is it that the only people who say this word are non-Japanese people?

My girlfriend is Japanese and she hates the word - says many Japanese people get very offended when it is said so why on earth do foreigners (especially ones always spouting off about how Japan is racist and hates them) use a slightly racist term to describe themselves

[Nathan]

This has always turned into a heated argument in my experience.

I lived in Japan for two years in the Kansai area. The Japanese were freely using the word "gaijin" in a non-offensive manner, and the only gaijin who took offense were the ones who didn't get along in Japan in the first place. (IE the ones who refused to conform, pretended they were still living in America/Canada/England etc).

I had plenty of Japanese friends tell me they didn't like the strong anti-Chinese attitudes of their grandparents, but never did they have a problem with the word gaijin itself.

Personally I think your girlfriend is being excessively PC.

[chachava]

Originally Posted by Henbaka

Seriously, a Japanese person can't be "very offended" by a derogatory term pointed towards NON-Japanese people. That's just ridicilous. They can be unhappy with how the word is used, but not offended by hearing it!

Of course they can... something doesn't have to be aimed at you to be offensive


It would be like me making a random insult at your mother - are you telling me it wouldn't be offensive to you because you are not the intended target?