|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
06-26-2009, 08:40 PM
Quote:
You are being judgmental. For some quick examples, you chose the words, "The least you can do," and "Never say that out loud." There you go again, trying to wave the "I KNOW MORE THAN YOU" flag. Didn't I tell you to stop? Because you know, I don't like what YOU have to say because of your tone, and because you like to assume that you know everything. However, if you look at this same thread - please, feel free to do so - you'll see that I've actually taken quite well to an opinion or two. By the way, because I know I will be cooking my own meals, and because the family will be eating their own - regardless of your intellect on day-to-day life of every single Japanese household (which is, like I said before, stereotyping) - I'll keep my piercing in. Thanks for the opinion anyway, though. 
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
06-26-2009, 08:44 PM
Sounds like you have it all figured out. Have a great trip.
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
06-26-2009, 08:47 PM
Quote:
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
06-26-2009, 08:57 PM
Quote:
As far as morphing into a Japanese, no one expects that. But you do need to try to fit in, especially in Japan. Japanese are already uncomfortable around strangers, having one living with you would be very difficult for them at first. I'm just trying to get you to see how they might feel.
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
06-26-2009, 09:14 PM
Quote:
I do understand what you're saying, and I agree with you. Like I said, though, I'm not willing to change these two things about myself. They've agreed to let me into their house, and these are two things I think that they can accept if they're going to accept me. If they can't accept it, they also have the choice of kicking me out so that I can move in with another family. It would be fine if you were just trying to get me to see how they might feel, but I didn't quite appreciate you saying, "I think you should cancel," and suggesting that I would make a bad name for foreigners just because I won't hide my piercing.
|
|
|
|||
|
|||
|
06-26-2009, 11:44 PM
Very interesting topic. Mercedesjin, you kind of remind me of my little brother. You don't really care what people think of your ways and your not too willing to change for them. You like to give your own two cents on what you believe to be correct, but when it comes to other people telling you what they think you should do, your not too interested... of course, your not always like that. Sometimes you listen to other people. - I hope I'm not offending you. If I'm wrong and misconceiving, then it's probably just misinterpretation.
I think the whole arguing thing was a little pointless and uncalled for... but no matter where you go, there will always be more than one opinion on one subject. You guys both have a point. But they kind of clash. I, myself, have my have 5 ear piercing and used to want to pierce my eyebrow... lately, I'd like to get my navel pierced and I'll probably get a tattoo later in life when I can agree on what I like. I like the subtle things and getting my navel pierced is nice because I can keep it concealed and look at it when ever I wish. When I first got my ears pierced I thought everybody was judging me for them. I later learned that nobody, not even my old fashioned Grandma cared. There are a few people here and there that are a bit too judgmental... but that's their problem and not yours. You begin the problem when you get offended by someone else's ignorance, and in turn, you end up looking very ignorant yourself. There is always someone in world that will not agree with you... so why waste your time arguing with them? Just look for the right in their opinion and nod your head. And my opinion on traveling to a different country and a different culture is: do what ever you like. It is your choice if you wish to stand out... if you want to be seen, it is all up to you. You know enough about it to know what you are getting yourself into(not saying that anything bad will come out of it). There are enough people in the world that dress to their own attire, and there are enough over judgmental people that will get over if within a few moments. I hope to go to Japan some day. I will probably try to be as mindful as possible of the Japanese culture. I don't wish to offend other people, so mindfulness is the wisest choice you can make. Hope you enjoy your trip. 
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
06-27-2009, 04:08 AM
Quote:
You're also right about the arguing. I don't usually give in to being annoyed, and don't like to argue - especially over the Internet, it's pretty pointless - but I guess because I've gotten into arguments with that guy before, I was already pretty annoyed to begin with - and his tone just didn't help. I don't completely agree with the idea of not arguing. I guess because of the history of my culture - basically, slavery and fighting against oppression - I've been taught to fight and stand up for anything I believe in, even if it's over a small issue. Definitely good luck going to Japan. It's a great place.
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
06-27-2009, 10:17 AM
Actually, I'm a bit baffled. You're going on a host stay mediated by some kind of school/uni right? And the host, I assume, already knows something about you, and probably you're not their first foreign host?
See, I was at a place last year where this was an option (about 1/2 the students did that) and the people I knew who took this, who had tattoo's and piercings, generally didn't have a huge problem. There was pretty much a non-committal 'Eh, but that's what young people DO, isn't it?" attitude. In fact I can only think of one student who had initial problems, but he was a BIG burly shaven-head type guy with a lot of tattoo's down his arms and back and his japanese wasn't good so he had a hard time explaining that he was maori and what the tattoo's were really all about. It did get smoothed out in the end though. A lot of them did make attempts to make their tatt's and whatnots more subtle, especially if there was company around, but generally after a while it was just accepted as part and parcel. It's not like piercings amongst college students are really that much of a rarity in Japan anymore either. Well, maybe in other areas. My city might have been unusually liberal, I don't know. As for the food thing, allergies were generally accepted without much fuss, it's things like lent that the host family's found really hard to get their head's around.
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
06-27-2009, 10:52 AM
well if you don't want to close it up, you could always get a small pincher or plug, who knows they may not even notice it. Or if your hair is long enough and don't want the hole to close up, just cover it up with your hair.
|
 |
| Thread Tools | |
|
|
