"The majority of Japanese shut out gaijin as a way of managing stress"

[Mulboyne]

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

This guy is offering consultation services on Japanese lifestyles? WTF?

[Yokohammer]

[Fullback]

You see? This is an example of how the Internet has changed our lives. In days of old, we all interacted with less people. We ran into less smart people, and less idiots. Today, we're exposed to billions of morons, who all seem to have computers.

What I want to know, is who hires these idiots? How do they have jobs and get the money to buy computers? It's frightening.

[Iraira]

Ok, the next time a Japanese person sits next to me, I'm going to handcuff him (perferably her) to me, and demand that all my questions be answered to my satisfaction. He (again, preferably she) owes me that for the privilege of sitting next to me! If he (must emphasize that I prefer said Japanese person to be a she) does not answer my questions as dictated by the above blogger, I will demand that the Japanese person immediately commit suicide for failure to live up to their.....seriously WTF?

[BigInJapan]

Well at least he doesn't claim to be a self-published teacher/breast milk sommelier/social critic/cultural mentor...

[tidbits]

The whole article is so wrong and it is sinfully wrong to call himself consultant. I have learnt to not judge a website by it's title. FG has lots more valuable info. 

[Taro Toporific]

[maraboutslim]

Well, not to defend this guy, but his managing stress through avoiding obligation explanation sounds similar to explanations Japanese give for why they didn't help someone who was in need. They'll talk around it but are essentially claiming the want to avoid placing the recipient into a feeling of indebtedness that'll start that endless cycle of indebtedness/payback that's such a pain in the ass for everyone involved. Of course I'm not crazy enough to think they extend that same, uh, courtesy, to us gaijin.

[TennoChinko]

Add to the list of reasons, foreigners who brusquely indicate they don't need any help even when it's obvious they are tourists and lost. I saw two Germans do just that a few months ago. I guessed that they had figured local who'd sidle up to them to offer them directions was a scam artist or looking for a fee ... as is common in some developing countries.

[Catoneinutica]

Well, not to defend this guy, but his managing stress through avoiding obligation explanation sounds similar to explanations Japanese give for why they didn't help someone who was in need. They'll talk around it but are essentially claiming the want to avoid placing the recipient into a feeling of indebtedness that'll start that endless cycle of indebtedness/payback that's such a pain in the ass for everyone involved. Of course I'm not crazy enough to think they extend that same, uh, courtesy, to us gaijin.

Beat me to it. I've seen years of surveys wherein the majority of Japanese profess to experiencing stress around gaijin, and with the "loss of confidence" they've apparently been experiencing of late, it's no surprise that they've become even more sullen.

[Taka-Okami]

The Japs reduce stress by:

1. Stabbing strangers
2. Getting drunk
3. Blaming their problems on foreigners.


Hmmm sounds rather like Australia.

[Dragonette]

I don't think that they were ever nice to gaijin unless it suited them for whatever reason. The first time I went to Japan (late 70s?) I was wandering around shopping at various depaato, and when I was ready to go back to my hotel, I couldn't find the nearest subway station. I knew it was nearby, but I was tired, my packages were heavy, etc.

I was told that if I had a question it was best to seek out some harmless-looking suit-wearing salaryman, since they were more likely to speak a little English and less likely to have a "gaijin complex", so I did, and asked him in my first-year Nihongo "Shitsurei desuga, chikatetsu wa doko deshou ka" (Yeah, I should have added "no eki" but give me a break!).

The guy broke into a sweat and started walking faster. Thinking he didn't hear me, I walked a few steps with him and started to repeat my question, and I swear, he waved his hand at me like "no, no" and started running! The feeling I had was that he thought I was about to pull out a gun or was a hooker or scam artist, but do hookers generally ask for directions to the nearest train station? It wouldn't bother me now, but it really disturbed me at the time.

[Catoneinutica]

Not to mention the arrogance and pomposity that they displayed in such abundance during the Bubble. They were the Master Race and we were decadent losers.

[sublight]

My own observations over the last few years:

I haven't noticed anyone in the train getting up to change seats after I sit down next to them (although I have seen people who'd been sitting next to other Japanese get up and switch seats when a new one opens up - I guess those corner spots are prime real estate).

I've only encountered one drunk guy trying to practice Engrish on me in the train in the last 5 years. It used to be pretty common 10-15 years ago.

I haven't been turned away by a taxi in 15 years (and even that time may have been because I didn't yet understand the 'reserved/available' signs on the dashboards).


I have to admit, though, that I felt like I'd been admitted to the club when an old obaa-chan stopped me to ask for directions a few months ago. It was dark and she was probably too nearsighted to realize I wasn't Japanese, but still.

[Yokohammer]

I've only encountered one drunk guy trying to practice Engrish on me in the train in the last 5 years. It used to be pretty common 10-15 years ago.

Indeed. There was a time when this was so common, and not limited to drunks, that I couldn't help believing it was one of the main reasons for Japanese "kindness" ... free English lesson! I'm sure it wasn't the only motivation for helping out lost or otherwise vulnerable gaijin though. There's plain old curiosity as well, and the status of being seen speaking English with a westerner (this is a long time ago), and possibly even a sincere desire to help in there somewhere. Maybe.

[Ikemen-of-d00m]

When it comes too these things, does your looks matter? If not, it seems to be very random. Some people experience everything on the "list" in a short amount of time, others live here for years and experience none of it. I have lived in Japan for about 6 months now, and these are my bad experiences:

* I have been stopped by the police at least once, asking to see my passport/gaijijn card.

* Strangers will not sit next to me on the subway, unless they are very tired or the train is jam-packed. They will also get up and find a new seat, when possible. This doesn't happen all the time, but often enough!

* Some taxi drivers will not let me in, not matter how sober I am. This does not occur very often, but still..

* I have been punched in the face for doing absolutely nothing, other than walking into a bathroom stall where a guy taking a piss had forgot to look the door. That was clearly a good enough reason to beat me up, even though I said "sumimasen", and left peacefully. I was too drunk to fight back, so he managed to hit me four times in the head, before his buddy came in and pulled him away. I wonder how long he would have kept going, if he hadn't stopped him.

--

But, these are just the bad incidents. When I was in Japan for the first time, people stopped to help me and my friend all the time. We didn't have too look confused either. Holding a map was more than enough!

I have been exposed to all kinds of kindness. Random college girls have walked up to me, and offered to give me a free tour guide around Kiyomizu-dera. Restaurant owners have given me delicious extra food, free of charge. Club owners have told me to pick anything I want from their bar, free of charge. The soccer club at my university did not only let me enter, but they have also been really cool guys from the beginning. And to be more on topic: total strangers approach me all the time, and are more than willing to talk.

And these are just a few examples..

[Mulboyne]

[Coligny]

This guy is offering consultation services on Japanese lifestyles? WTF?

that's tame... my favorite titul is "digital lifestyle consultant" from all the douchebags posting 1 minute videos on youtube showing how to clean the screen of an ipad with fibercloth towel...

[Dragonette]

When it comes too these things, does your looks matter?

Yes, at least for me on the 70s visit.
I was stopped at every koban I passed, sometimes 2-3 times a day. The police were very polite about it, took my passport to the back and then let me go in a minute or 2. I'm guessing it was because I had a passing resemblance to Patty Hearst, who was the subject of a world-wide search at the time. (Naah, they never found that machine-gun in my tote-bag)
For you kiddies, see this link

I have been exposed to all kinds of kindness.

Yeah, me too!
I had some contacts there, but was generally alone, just walking around and exploring. Older women were especially open and nice to me. As for men, I rarely had to pay for a meal. The next time I went back, I was with my RR and there were a lot more gaijin there, so I didn't get as much attention, but still had a great time.

[Kagetsu]

I think I recall being asked once if I needed help with the trains... I didn't, but it was nice, and I said thank you politely, but I was okay, and was just looking.

However, every time I go to Japan which used to be frequently 3 times a year, I'd notice subtle changes in the psyche of the people. I'm not going to pretend I know the reason for it, but will simply give the raw account of the situation.

Once sitting on a train, with my long hair, and large (read NOT fat but very tall) stature, People would easily and willingly sit next to me (ie, I wasn't really any different, just a neat quiet foreigner, all be it with long hair). The next trip, still with long hair and only 6 weeks after the previous trip people would avoid me and even when the train was crowded, it wasn't unusual to have a seat free next to me.
I didn't smell (deodorant, but not overpowering either) and generally dressed neat.

Other times I've had school girls giggle at me or wanting a photo with me, and only a few months later they were indifferent.

Personally I put it down to fads... there's no question the Japanese people are heavily influenced by social trends, and figure something in the news at the time or something becoming trendy for a short time, and I fit the bill.

Who knows.

---

On a side note, this guy just seems opinionated and self important... but kudos for at least proving a point.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

Much as I whinge and moan about life here, I stay here because I love it and I love it because I love the people I've met here. I have been showered with kindness and friendship by many people over decades.
There's little question that attitudes toward foreigners have changed here over the past few years. Outright antipathy is evident, especially online, and I think this will grow together with the gaijin presence here, particularly if foreigners try to assert themselves in terms of social equality.
All in all, I'm grateful to the Japanese for the way they've treated me [color="White"](shite, I've gotta stop taking this goddamn medication...it's making me sound like a decent human being...)[/color]

[Stucky]

Other times I've had school girls giggle at me or wanting a photo with me, and only a few months later they were indifferent.

Well, they'd already had their photo taken with you, so you were old news to them, thus their indifference

I wonder how much it has to do with appearance. If a person looks non-threatening (to a Japanese), meaning I guess clean-shaven, not that tall, well-dressed, then add to to that a measure of what Japanese might find attractive, I think those are the people they are more likely to approach to help with directions and so on. It's superficial but...

[Ikemen-of-d00m]

Yes, at least for me on the 70s visit.

Hmm.. I really can't see how my looks, smell or behavior would make people want to stay away from me.

I have no problem with "racist" taxi drivers, "curious" police officers or violent scumbags, because they are so rare anyways. When these things happen, I know it's just bad luck..

I just don't understand why people act the way they do, on trains. I mean, why would you not sit down, when all the other seats are taken? Why would you change seats as soon as you can?

Then again, in only 6 months in Japan, I have have witnessed more people talking loudly to themselves than I have in over 20 years back home

[BigInJapan]

I can think of one memorable incident I had the first year I was in Japan.
I was visiting Kyoto for the first time (where the locals are obviously more used to seeing tourists), and while standing in front of a large map board on a street corner, an older Japanese man came up to me. He tapped me on the shoulder, pulled out a note pad and wrote "Where do you want to go?" in English.
I looked at him, and he covered his ears and shook his head.
I thought "Wow, this is a first". A deaf Japanese guy communicating with me in English. I wrote the name of the temple and he showed it to me on the map. I think he asked me to write my country and sign my name, then he wrote something like "Good luck in Japan".
That does not happen everyday (actually, that's the only time it's ever happened).

Many years ago I also encountered high-school-aged girls coming up wanting to take photos with me, but usually only in touristy locations.
I rarely sit on the trains, but when I do, I don't really notice anyone avoiding the seat next to me (I'm fairly big, but I guess I don't look too threatening as long as I've shaved within the last few days).

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

Other times I've had school girls giggle at me or wanting a photo with me, and only a few months later they were indifferent.

You're lucky...most girls don't start giggling at me until I take my clothes off...and that's when they become indifferent, too.

[Takechanpoo]

Its quite simple.
The brand value of western white dudes fell near to the one of Asian looking foreingners(Japanese never have tried helping Asian dudes since long before as you do know). Or Just Japanese got bored of Western whites. Actually I too got bored of and graduated from porns in which Japanese guys creampie white girls.

[ketchupkatsu]

....Why would you change seats as soon as you can?....

I'm not Japanese, and if a corner sit right next to the doors becomes available I'm changing seats. I tend to think its more of a universal thing to move to a better seat.

On another note, I do notice lately, that Japanese will ask me for directions. I can remember when I never had to bother with trying to explain to someone where anything was in Japan.

[Pearse]

Its quite simple.
The brand value of western white dudes fell near to the one of Asian looking foreingners(Japanese never have tried helping Asian dudes since long before as you do know). Or Just Japanese got bored of Western whites. Actually I too got bored of and graduated from porns in which Japanese guys creampie white girls.

So now it's only bestiality for you?:p

[Ikemen-of-d00m]

Its quite simple.
The brand value of western white dudes fell near to the one of Asian looking foreingners(Japanese never have tried helping Asian dudes since long before as you do know). Or Just Japanese got bored of Western whites. Actually I too got bored of and graduated from porns in which Japanese guys creampie white girls.

They way I see it, foreigners are still treated like something "rare".

I visited Kansai Gaidai for a little while ago. It was a really embarrassing experience. The school is nice enough, but the way foreigners are treated like "gods" is ridiculous.

No matter how geeky or socially retarded a guy looked, he always had a couple of cute Japanese girls hanging around him. And nearly every guy had this extremely confident smug on their faces. You would think that the Japanese students of a university with so many foreign students, wouldn't care that much when they see a new foreigner, but no. From the moment I entered campus, I was shamelessly stared at from beginning to end.

If foreigners aren't rare anymore, how would you explain all the confident "loser white dudes", who you love so much? :P