Job Discussion Forums

[Sweetsee]

What do you do when seeing other foreigners?

For example, passing in stations, standing beside on trains or seeing in your neighborhoods. Do you make a point to ignore them, acknowledge them, strike up a conversation and do you react to all foreigners the same way?

Probably a silly question but one that I have pondered since first coming to Japan.

[stillnosheep]

Just treat them like anybody else Sweetsee:

If they look interesting, intelligent, amusing or exceptionally cute then a nod is OK. Otherwise pointing your imaginary sten-gun in their general direction, sweeping it in quarter circles to the left and to the right whilst uttering acka-acka-acka-acka-ack like noises is generally considered the polite response here in Japan.

Good luck!

[JimDunlop2]

Usually I cross the street if I see another foreigner coming, pick up my pace and look in the other direction.

I'm kidding. No, really I think it has to do more with your personality than nationality... My wife was once approached by a random Korean girl at a bus stop in Canada.... She was looking to make friends. Well, they are still friends many years later.

I've heard of foreigners avoiding other foreigners, and then other who go out of their way to talk to another foreigner -- cause after all, we're in the same boat, right? I tend to treat foreigners the same way I treat 99% of Japanese -- I hardly look twice and mind my own business. (When it comes to strangers in public places, I'm very much an introvert).

[denise]

I'm shy with all people, foreign or otherwise. I will, though, try to make eye contact, smile, or say "hey" if they look receptive--that is, if it looks like they aren't trying to avoid me because they are one of those foreigners who shun other foreigners in an attempt to "go native." And I return greetings that are initiated by others.

Some environments are also far more conducive to chatting than others. Passing people on the street is one thing--there's a bit more anonymity--but seeing someone in a pub or cafe is a bit different.

Participating in this forum has also raised my awareness of other foreigners. I would hate to brush by somebody on the street without acknowleding him or her only to find out that he/she was a regular poster who I already "know" in a faceless kind of way.

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[Gordon]

I think it depends on where you live. I rarely see foreigners in my neighbourhood, so if I see one and I don't know them, then we usually stop and chat, both times anyways.

If I go into "the city" than I usually nod when walking past.

[Gordon]

Who knows Denise? Maybe you brushed me off?

I was the kind soul that just wanted to say "hi".

[denise]

Oh no!!!! One million apologies, Gordon!!! Was that you down in the pub last night?



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[Gordon]

Yeah, crying in my green tea because no one would talk to me.

[Dominique]

I think this was a really good question!

I never thought of that before. I wonder how I will react when I reach the other side!

[Glenski]

Simple answer.

Some acknowledge the other foreigners. Some don't.

Why would you? Answers vary.
Why wouldn't you? Answers vary.

Just don't expect everyone to be a native English speaker.

I occasionally help a foreigner who looks like he/she needs it. Otherwise, I just pass them by. I have my life. They have theirs. If I was back home traveling in my own country, and if I could recognize a fellow tourist, I would feel no reason to strike up a conversation unless the circumstances warranted it. The same situation seems to hold here.

[stillnosheep]

When encountering gaijin in Japan the correct response is to point an imaginary sten-gun in their general direction and utter acka-acka-acka-acka-ack like noises whilst sweeping it in quarter circles to the left and to the right.

Of course the effect is enhanced if you happen to have a real sten-gun handy but I understand that in the very politest society - for example in Kyoto - using a real sten-gun is considered overkill.

Any word on this from the Kyoto massive?

[kovac]

I remember being at the immigration office in Shinagawa really early one morning and it cracked me up to see a line full of foreigners pretending to ignore each other...sometimes you even get fellow foreigners who sneer at you a bit...on the other hand it bugs me with people who make a big thing to do about it and give you an overly huge "HEY ! HI ! HELLO !"

I sometimes nod or say hello if the person seems friendly or nice, but do you say hello to all strangers you meet regardless of location ?

[BradS]

We were actually discussing this in the staff room the other day! There seems to be a mentality in Tokyo of foriegn teachers avoiding one another. It's reall strange. There's kind of a "I'm not special now that you're here" mentality going on.

However I always help out foriegners who are visiting.

It's really strange, and I'm normally the kind of person who will talk to a complete stranger on the street.