The meek shall inherit the earth

[Nagged]

I teach English to adults on weekday evenings and every second Saturday for some extra income.

A few months ago I got a phone call from a woman asking me to teach her 4 year old kid. Her name was Aya, short for Ayako.

Great. 4 years old. Visions of coloring books and "What shape is this?" passed through my mind. Oh well, she was very polite so I agreed to meet just to see what it would be like.

Well, very little preparation is required for this kid. This is because he is already advanced enough for free conversation. To be totally honest, I've never seen anything quite like it. He's is absolutely amazing.

Anyway, I digress. It's his mum that really impresses me.

We always have a coffee and chat after I finish teaching. She is a very modest person but slowly but surely, I have learnt some things about her and her family.

Last night she told me that she traveled to various countries when she was younger, Asia in particular, on acccount of her interest in Asian art. Then suddenly she started talking about how she also visited sites of wartime attrocities. I asked whether she had been to Nanjing. She had. She had tears in her eyes when she told me how people jeered at her and threw stones when she said she was Japanese. She went on to say that she is also aware of wartime attrocities in other Asian countries like Indonesia, and knowing a bit about the subject myself, it was quite evident that she was speaking the truth.

How old was she when she did this? Nineteen year old. Went by herself and paid the airfare at an age when she probably could barely afford it. This is not someone trying to score points, this is a real person that I well and truly respect.

I know there are lots of attention seeking loudmouths here as there are everywhere, but I really wonder just how many people exist like her, people who just go ahead and do things without having to tell the whole world about it. Got me thinking...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanjing_Massacre

[japslapper]

but I really wonder just how many people exist like her, people who just go ahead and do things without having to tell the whole world about it.

Good find Got me thinking too. I dont know anyone, amongst my Japanese aquaintances who is this brave - but I do know some exceptionaly kind folk - not many. The thing that unites them is they are quiet, get on with their thing and usually are not part of the "system".

The hippies in my village (dolphin killing - Taiji) - are they really after doing good or more for a public pat on the back?

Kind people are there - you just have to know where to look - like panning for gold I suppose

[tidbits]

How old was she when she did this? Nineteen year old. Went by herself and paid the airfare at an age when she probably could barely afford it.

Not true, with just some arubaito money, it is easy and affordable for a 19years old Japanese to travel to other Asian countries as long as she has the interest. They are in fact one of the richest 'budget travellers'. For instance, Nepal's prices was already spoiled by them 15 years ago.

[Robato]

Not true, with just some arubaito money, it is easy and affordable for a 19years old Japanese to travel to other Asian countries as long as she has the interest. They are in fact one of the richest 'budget travellers'. For instance, Nepal's prices was already spoiled by them 15 years ago.

great job!! What a way to miss the point!

[kurohinge1]

... I really wonder just how many people exist like her, people who just go ahead and do things without having to tell the whole world about it ...

Just two - her & myself.
Oops! Now there's only one ... her!

Seriously, though, it's inspiring to know that humans of that ilk are still around, albeit as an endangered species IMHO.
Good luck teaching the youngster.

[Neo-Rio]

The meek shall inherit the earth....

....and the aggressive will just rip it back off them!

[tidbits]

Sorry, I missed the point. She is indeed a brave and outstanding woman. I have seen a lot of this brave Japanese women travelling in my home country, they just do things that they like. They looked so feminine but very brave and adventurious, they can do so many things, deep water diving, monntain climbing. .you name it. They are also very well travelled and knowledgeble. I also respect thoese young Japanese volunteers (like JICA) in some Asian and South American countries. These are the type of people contributing to the poor without telling the whole world about it.

[Taro Toporific]

Not true, with just some arubaito money, it is easy and affordable for a 19years old Japanese to travel to other Asian countries as long as she has the interest. They are in fact one of the richest 'budget travellers'. For instance, Nepal's prices was already spoiled by them 15 years ago.

great job!! What a way to miss the point!

I don't know if the "Point" was missed at all.
Think about it: Without post-industrial affluence and the safety of living under a nucular umbella, how could a 19-year old Japanese even have the opportunity to think of the luxury of going on such a quest of atonment from which she is at least two generations removed?

--------
The statement is pointless.
The finger is speechless.
--R.D. Laing

[Nagged]

Well, I wasn't thinking so much about how much she spent as much as I was impressed that she was motivated enough to go see for herself. How many of us have forgotten our own country's misdeeds?

We always get upset when some right wing politician tries to rewrite history, so I think it's good to acknowledge the people here who are not deceived. It's nice to know that at least some people here do know their history or care enough to find out.

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

[Nagged]

[leathernick]

[cstaylor]

Sorry I am bitching, but just the other day a gaijin girl, changed her mind about going out with me.

Shouldn't this belong in "You know you've been in Japan too long" (when you find yourself asking out other foreigners on dates, because they look exotic).

[Robato]

I am not trolling but you probably know a few people like that. The problem is they are gaijin. A lot of gaijin come to Japan to immerse themselves in foreign cultures, enlightenment, finding themselves. What ever there is often a very honest motive.

Im not trolling either....but most "gaijin" that I meet in Japan came here to get laid or get anime. Read throught the threads if you think I am bullshitting...."tight pussy this or slutty J girl that"

Anyway, I find people who help the homeless or poor in their own country even more respectable usually......They are usually ones that have no "stories" to tell about their experience. If they do, they would sound like an asshole. These type of people are all around the world....gaijin or not.

Isnt it funny when something nice has been said about a Japanese, how quickly people want to trash them by saying how much better a gaijin is?

(one more thing...one of my best friends here in Japan is a brick layer....he is dead broke. He doesnt have a silver spoon in his mouth and cant afford to go on a trip 2 cities down much less go to a foriegn country....to say that its easy for him to go to a country that would hate him and throw rocks at him is nuts)

[GomiGirl]

Im not trolling either....but most "gaijin" that I meet in Japan came here to get laid or get anime. Read throught the threads if you think I am bullshitting...."tight pussy this or slutty J girl that"

Excuse me??? You are obviously moving in the wrong circles my friend.

I know very few people lilke that.

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

Im not trolling either....but most "gaijin" that I meet in Japan came here to get laid or get anime. Read throught the threads if you think I am bullshitting...."tight pussy this or slutty J girl that"

It very much sounds like you are trolling. oO(Maybe I shouldn't feed the troll)

Anyway, I find people who help the homeless or poor in their own country even more respectable usually......They are usually ones that have no "stories" to tell about their experience. If they do, they would sound like an asshole. These type of people are all around the world....gaijin or not.

What good are you doing in your own country? If you are even still there to do good in the first place. If you answer giving to charity is that out of guilt or passion. Even I find giving to charity can hinder people such as the homeless as it takes the attention away from the governments responsabilities.

Isnt it funny when something nice has been said about a Japanese, how quickly people want to trash them by saying how much better a gaijin is?

In no way was I saying how much better a gaijin is. I was pointing to the fact that the original poster can also find people of merrit closer to home. If I was to favor a group of people I would probably refer to singaporeans, becasue as a race they are probably the most inteligent,creative,wise etc...

(one more thing...one of my best friends here in Japan is a brick layer....he is dead broke. He doesnt have a silver spoon in his mouth and cant afford to go on a trip 2 cities down much less go to a foriegn country....to say that its easy for him to go to a country that would hate him and throw rocks at him is nuts)

What others were saying is that it is relativly easy. Just like saying american children get vastly expensive presents at christmass compared with african. The statment is true for the majority of the time, nobody would say its true for all cases. [joke]maybe he could use the rocks to build a house[/joke]

To much troll bait in all of your statments. Its a pity but I cant resist.

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

Robato what religion are you? Am I going to hell?

[Robato]

Im not trolling either....but most "gaijin" that I meet in Japan came here to get laid or get anime. Read throught the threads if you think I am bullshitting...."tight pussy this or slutty J girl that"

It very much sounds like you are trolling. oO(Maybe I shouldn't feed the troll).

I honestly wasnt. Just mentioning all the gaijin I have met at the local gaijin pub, gaijin in roppongi and some thread created on this very board even. (wasnt saying all you guys....just mentioning what I have observed.)

Anyway, I find people who help the homeless or poor in their own country even more respectable usually......They are usually ones that have no "stories" to tell about their experience. If they do, they would sound like an asshole. These type of people are all around the world....gaijin or not.

What good are you doing in your own country? If you are even still there to do good in the first place. If you answer giving to charity is that out of guilt or passion. Even I find giving to charity can hinder people such as the homeless as it takes the attention away from the governments responsabilities.

I dont do any good in my country...nor in Japan. I am just a guy that minds my own business....but I also dont talk or play down good that others do by trying to say someone else does better.....because honestly I dont do ANYTHING good. I also dont feel bad about anything my country has done because honestly, I wasnt there.

Isnt it funny when something nice has been said about a Japanese, how quickly people want to trash them by saying how much better a gaijin is?

In no way was I saying how much better a gaijin is. I was pointing to the fact that the original poster can also find people of merrit closer to home. If I was to favor a group of people I would probably refer to singaporeans, becasue as a race they are probably the most inteligent,creative,wise etc....

oh ok, cause it sounded like "the reason why its rare that you find this type of person is becase you are looking for them in Japan"....at least thats what I got out of it.

(one more thing...one of my best friends here in Japan is a brick layer....he is dead broke. He doesnt have a silver spoon in his mouth and cant afford to go on a trip 2 cities down much less go to a foriegn country....to say that its easy for him to go to a country that would hate him and throw rocks at him is nuts)

What others were saying is that it is relativly easy. Just like saying american children get vastly expensive presents at christmass compared with african. The statment is true for the majority of the time, nobody would say its true for all cases. [joke]maybe he could use the rocks to build a house[/joke]

Well, thats nice but people dont ask to be born in a rich or poor country....and not everyone born in a rich country is rich. If you are born in a rich country are you automatically supposed to travel to poor countries and feel bad about arocities that your great grandparents did? I sure as hell dont feel sorry that the US dropped the bomb on Japan....I didnt have anything to do with that...nor am I pissed that Japan went on a preemtive strike on pearl harbor. Get the picture? I wasnt trying to flame...just found it quite curious as to people trying to come up with reasons to down play the original post of the nice girl.

To much troll bait in all of your statments. Its a pity but I cant resist.

so did the other post that started out "Im not trying to troll"...whats the difference between my post and the other?

Excuse me??? You are obviously moving in the wrong circles my friend.

I know very few people lilke that.

Thats great that you dont. I guess the wrong circle is living in Nagoya.

Robato what religion are you? Am I going to hell?

peanutbutter.....and no you wont, so dont worry

[kamome]

Sorry I am bitching, but just the other day a gaijin girl, changed her mind about going out with me.

Shouldn't this belong in "You know you've been in Japan too long" (when you find yourself asking out other foreigners on dates, because they look exotic).

Wow, you still remember that, cs? I'm flattered.

[GomiGirl]

Sorry I am bitching, but just the other day a gaijin girl, changed her mind about going out with me.

Shouldn't this belong in "You know you've been in Japan too long" (when you find yourself asking out other foreigners on dates, because they look exotic).

Wow, you still remember that, cs? I'm flattered.

I always look exotic.. or is that quixotic?

[cstaylor]

One of my talents: excellent long-term memory.