what's bad in japan?

[Hisgashi]

Not really.Despite the fact they're dangerous, its unlikelythey would do that. So you can sleep soundly. :P

[Pachipro]

Originally Posted by yamada63

Please!!! what is the 20 routine questions???

I'd really like to know... Don't leave it hanged please!

The "20 question" routine is something you get used to after having lived in Japan for any length of time. It is usually the same questions asked of you over and over and over again by Japanese people you meet for the first time and, being a foreigner in Japan, you will usually meet many Japanese people. Questions like:

- Can you eat/do you like sushi?

- Do you like Japanese women/men?

- Do you like Japanese bath?

- Can you use chopsticks?

- Do you sleep in a futon?

- Do you like Japan?

- Can you speeku Japaneeezu?

etc, etc.

These type of repetitive questions usually irk foreigners who have lived in Japan for a while and they become angry at times as I have on occassion. But once you understand that the Japanese are only asking these questions because they have just met you and are curious about you, you begin to understand and get accustomed to it. Also, their English is usually limited and that is all they know how to ask. But it is amaxzing that virtually all Japanese you meet for the first time ask the same questions. Thus, I ahve dubbed it "the 20 question routine".

Some foreigners never get used to and it only makes them that much more angrier against Japan and the Japanese. Many figure that since they have lived in Japan a while and can speak some Japanese, that the Japanese people should automatically assume they enjoy and can do all those things. It all depends on the person. But live in Japan long enough and you will encounter it.

[Hisgashi]

Japan hasn't always got British weather. After all, that part of Asia (Jpn,Korea,Chn) Are pretty hot. After all, they all have air conditioners...hehe, anyway Japan is a good place to those who think it is and those who don't. It's a matter of opinion. Imagine my country is under attack by non-stop terrorism...but I still might like my country. You guys might argue all day, but there really is no point. I'm not surprised Jpnese kids put 100% effort into their work. They're brought up strictly in those parts.....(In china too but this is a japanese forum.) Their country is one of the most modern so it is always busy too. And now Im losing my brain cos I don't know what Im on about so....

[Hisgashi]

Originally Posted by Pachipro

The "20 question" routine is something you get used to after having lived in Japan for any length of time. It is usually the same questions asked of you over and over and over again by Japanese people you meet for the first time and, being a foreigner in Japan, you will usually meet many Japanese people. Questions like:

- Can you eat/do you like sushi?

- Do you like Japanese women/men?

- Do you like Japanese bath?

- Can you use chopsticks?

- Do you sleep in a futon?

- Do you like Japan?

- Can you speeku Japaneeezu?

etc, etc.

These type of repetitive questions usually irk foreigners who have lived in Japan for a while and they become angry at times as I have on occassion. But once you understand that the Japanese are only asking these questions because they have just met you and are curious about you, you begin to understand and get accustomed to it. Also, their English is usually limited and that is all they know how to ask. But it is amaxzing that virtually all Japanese you meet for the first time ask the same questions. Thus, I ahve dubbed it "the 20 question routine".

Some foreigners never get used to and it only makes them that much more angrier against Japan and the Japanese. Many figure that since they have lived in Japan a while and can speak some Japanese, that the Japanese people should automatically assume they enjoy and can do all those things. It all depends on the person. But live in Japan long enough and you will encounter it.

They're just being friendly. Anyway, Japanese people take a LOT from US/Europe, so why wouldn't they ask you those things..you are the English speakers...

[Pachipro]

Originally Posted by -ShibaInu

And like jasmine, Tsukikage, Vesperd, etc. , I am still bent on going to Japan even for just a few days...

Good for you Shiba. If that's how you feel then you should go by all means to see for yourself what Japan is really like. As I said before, if you want to go, go! Don't take my or any others' word for what Japan is really like. Each person will experience Japan in their own way. I'm just giving a little "heads up" on what it was like for me as are the others.

Being an Asian , I experienced discrimination in one form or another in the western countries that I went to but these were isolated cases...I still had a generally enjoyable experience in those places...And I believe going to Japan is no exception...

Don't be surprised if many Japanese people assume you are Japanese and start speaking Japanese to you and then become a tad upset when you don't speak it back thinking you are being coy with them or something. I have seen it happen to Asian friends of mine. Once the Japanese understand though, things should be cool. I hope you have an enjoyable experience and will share it with us.

Btw, i have a stupid question that I am not afraid to ask...Are organized crimes like the Yakuza, something that a foreigner needs to be concerned about when staying in Japan? Do they like targeting foreigners such as threatening them or extorting money?

Not at all Shiba. There is no need to worry about Yakuza targeting you for money, or any foreigner for that matter, at all. They usually stay to themselves and do not get involved in the affairs of foreigners at all. Foreigners are not of interest to Yakuza unless you do something to disrupt their business somehow like starting a fight in one of their bars or refusing to pay for hostess services, etc. How do I know this? Because my oldest and best Japanese friend of 34 years is a member.

"Chinpira", young yakuza in training or yakuza wannabes, are another matter. They are usually young, in their late teens or early 20's and can usually be spotted by their slicked or "punch perm" hair, toothpicks, sunglasses, shiny shoes and dark suits with no ties. These people can be trouble to anyone as they want to make a name for themselves. If you encounter these types just keep going and do not confront them. However, you will probably not encounter this type as you are Asian and they will assume you are Japanese.

I was confronted by three of them one day while walking with my Japanese fiancee. Luckily 3 older yakuza came out of a bar and stopped it before it got bad. In 30 years, that was my only confrontation. And that was 25 years ago!

[bleedingboy]

Originally Posted by jasonbvr

First let me say that the only thing I find lacking is the way you have to go out of your way to eat vegetables and how expensive food is. Plus, I have a few problems with the education system, but it's not my say how they torture their kids. Other than these two, I think Japan is pretty cool.

Gaijin just means foreigner, it is not some sort of racist slur. I often get kakoi gaijin (cool foreigner) or the guys at the bar call me the genki guy (friendly) because I will sit and hang out even though we don't understand half of what the other one is saying. (I should really study more.)

Now for my response to some of has been said of Japan's negative aspects. As far as sincerity in Japanese culture they do lack the openess and honest that you find elsewhere because of social customs. Social norms in Japan dictate that you act in a different way around your family and friends than in public and business relations. There are Nihongo words for which mean public face and private face. Their politicians often blatantly lie to them and everyone knows they're lying but they still go, "Oh, what a nice thing to say or that sounds like a good idea." Another example of how this works, the teachers at school all act like they love each other and get along fabulously. Outside of school, they will go home and bitch and complain about their coworkers to their families. Why do they act this way? They say it is to make society run more smoothly. Yes, they give little gifts to one another to give the impression that they like everyone but in reality they (some of them) do it because its expected of them. But hey, it is their culture and they can do with it whatever they like.

Racism in Japan does exist but it rarely manifests in to action unlike say a lynching in the US. When you go to any country where you are not easily blending in with the majority, you are going to attract attention anyways in both directions good and bad. Half Japanese kids in Japan do have problems in some schools, but the schools have a larger overall problem with bullying anyways. Maybe I just don't notice dirty looks any more or rudeness, but I learned a long time ago how to ignore the ignorant from the racist people in the US. "Huh, huh, jason gonna come back all slant eyed with ching, chong talking girlfriend." Yeah, racism is everywhere so you just learn to brush it off.

Anyways, I gotta go to class. There certainly is a lot of naivete on JF about the reality in Japan, but you can't say it is totally opposite from these perceptions and all bad. Ja ne...

not to diss you off. or inflict a racist slur. you're white. expect good things about you not being insulted.

almost all countries love white folks. why? because they think they have money. seriously. i went to this bar. and when with other foreigners, they're treated well. but when it's our turn. it's like we were ghost.

i don't know how old are you, but this is reality.

even my country loves white people. it's like when they see you, you're gods. did you know that no american had ever been imprisoned in my country, to pay for rape crimes? sad to say. here in this world, if you're skin is white, you're favored, regardless of what country it is.

[jasonbvr]

Originally Posted by bleedingboy

here in this world, if you're skin is white, you're favored, regardless of what country it is.

White people encounter racism too. Think of the holocaust for example.
Would you have even responded to my comment if I did not have my photo posted on here?

[bleedingboy]

Originally Posted by jasonbvr

White people encounter racism too. Think of the holocaust for example.
Would you have even responded to my comment if I did not have my photo posted on here?

i'm not saying you don't experience racism, but what i'm saying is, almost all country likes you. say for example, if a white man and brown or black man works together, vying for managerial position to a foreign country, the first one to be promoted as manager, would be white. this is true. and will always be true.

and people who promoted them, will say, i'm not racist, but i just think he can do the job better. and when you ask him for proof on why he is much more promoteable than us? he can't show anything.

well we should know, taht guy only knows how to sniff glue and magic markers nothing else. sleep all day, and hand over the work to someone else. while he ditch his work. that's just my experience.

if a white man is jacked in the philippines? media would cover it and the government would take action. but if a Filipino gets jacked, raped, it's not a big thing. comparison of how much they've lost? white man 5000 dollars, filipino or filipina, innocence and life. still which one is favored? this is reality to us. no matter where you go. if you go to the HONGKONG airport, and they saw a filipina, or you're holding a PHILIPPINE VISA, the first word you'll hear is DOMESTIC HELPER and in other countries CAREGIVER. and this is just not the philippines, lots of other countries, experience it with even their fellow asian countries. but when it comes to WHITE. RICH. Countries. they're gods.

ever seen the white man's burden? if you do see it, multiply it to the highest exponent. that's how we experience racism.

[yamada63]

Originally Posted by Pachipro

The "20 question" routine is something you get used to after having lived in Japan for any length of time. It is usually the same questions asked of you over and over and over again by Japanese people you meet for the first time and, being a foreigner in Japan, you will usually meet many Japanese people. Thus, I ahve dubbed it "the 20 question routine".

Do you mean that "20 routine questions" is not actually 20 questions, but you just put it "20" arbitrarily so it seems nice? am I right?

It's fun! OK. I will enjoy those "20-but-not-really routine questions"

Thanks Pachipro!

[yamada63]

Can anyone list the routine questions? Let me try.

-----Pachipro's part-------------

1. Can you eat/do you like sushi?

2. Do you like Japanese women/men?

3. Do you like Japanese bath?

4. Can you use chopsticks?

5. Do you sleep in a futon?

6. Do you like Japan?

7. Can you speeku Japaneeezu?

------My part-------------

8. Is Japan fun (Nihon wa tanoshii?)

9. Is Japan cold? (Nihon wa samui?)

10. What do you like about Japan (Nihon no koto naniga sukidesuka?)

11. Is Japan beautiful? (Nihon wa kirei?)

12. What Japanese food do you like most? (Ichiban sukina tabemono wa?)

13. Japan is expensive, isn't it? (Nihon takai desho?!)

14. Japan is safe/peace right? (Nihon wa anzen/heiwa deshou?!)

15. Is Japanese Language difficult? (Nihongo muzukashi?)

16. Can you read kanji? (Kanji yomeru?)

Please add more...I can't think anymore right now...

17. ...