Job Discussion Forums

Anomie · Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 6

I have often wondered how people with tattoos or piercings would be treated in other countries. I have a tattoo that runs down my arm and can be partially visible when i wear collared shirts. I also like to skateboard. Would I be treated prejudicially if i decided to take a teaching second language position in various locations in Japan, even if I was well spoken, intelligent, culturally respectful, and polite? This post I think would best be responded by someone who is from Japan or has lived there for awhile, or perhaps has tattoos themselves, : )

spidey · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 4:29 am Post subject:

Hello fellow tattooie,

I have been living in Japan for over three years and I have to say that there is a stigma involved when showing your tats in public. This culture has come to see tattoos and a representation of someone who is bad or of a criminal nature (Yakuza- Japanese mafia). Of course, this view is changing with the modern culture, however the feeling is very deep rooted. You will probably find problems at places like...onsens(spas) and health clubs or gyms. This is not just restricted to foreigners however, some places have a zero tolerance policy for all people. We as foreigners sometimes get cut a little slack because we are from a different culture. But that is only "sometimes."

Overall, I haven't run into any serious problems. And I don't expect to.

S

Anomie · Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 6

It's nice to know that there are others like me. lol. I understand what you say when you speak of the stigma involved in asia. However, I always thought that tattoing was also a traditional practice, not associated with crime syndication, etc... Such that there are asian businessman that have full back pieces though hidden from view. I was always fascinated with the concept. Unfourtunately, I was young when I got a lot of my tattoos and regretfully extended my work past my wrist a little. Too bad though. I like spas. lol

spidey · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 4:52 am Post subject:

Yes...tattooing has been around since we were living in caves, however it has come to mean many things to its respective cultures. I'm sure that in Japan's history tattooes were used for that time honored practice of reaching adulthood through a ritual of pain. This is still practiced in many societies today. But we are a funny breed, us humans, we tend to follow what our societies dictate at any given time. Forgetting what it was that got us to this point in the first place. i.e. "tattoo=bad man or woman"

Such is the way and so it will be our destiny. Until we WISE up. Wink

S

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 7:03 am Post subject:

Young people particularly young girls here, are getting tattoes just like any other country. Often they go for transfers, not the real thing, but the effect is the same.

Longing for Nippon · Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Posts: 49

There was a middleaged japanese lady i used to teach privates to who had a large faded tatoo on her back. I asked her about it and she said she had it done when she was young. I knew she grew up in the countryside and I cant imagine there were many people having tatoos in Japan 15-20 years ago, especially women. Does this tatoo mean she was a former yakuza lady or indicate something else? I remember thinking it was unusual.

Marika · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 32

So I was pretty worried about coming here myself as I have 5 tattoos. The director of the school knew that I had them and didn't care as long as they were covered up.
I was so nervous prior to coming here but have had no problems what so ever. There are certain places I keep them covered. I will be starting a Japanese dance class and would prefer the ladies not to see them.
I do try my best at keeping the covered when at school events. I once had the corner of one popping out and the parents that did notice and asked me about them didn't care.
The younger people here are getting them more often now.
When I am downtown I don't care if they're showing and haven't had any problems.
So I think you will be o.k. Just use your own wisdom as to when to know to cover them and when not to.

lou lou · Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 37 Location: England

Hi,

I wouldn't worry too much about your tats as long as you don't flaunt them. I think I have more of a problem on my hands. Being a big girl I have recently bought a bike to start making myself smaller before I go to Japan, as I've noticed that everything seems to be made for small people, not to mention my wanting to climb Mnt Fugi! Ha Ha. I have 18 months to shrink my size and that is something I can't hide!!! Laughing

Regards, Lou Lou.

spidey · Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2004 12:24 am Post subject:

lou lou,

May I ask why you feel your size will be a problem in Japan?

Just curious,

S

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

lou lou · Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 37 Location: England

Hi Spidey,

I don'y feel that my size is a problem, but I have read quite a bit about Japan, and apparently it seems that even baths are made for small people. I also feel that if a company is paying for health insurance then they would want you to be as healthy as possible or maybe give the job to someone else. Don't get me wrong I am quite healthy and active, but I will need to increase my fitness if I want to climb Mnt Fuji!! In my research about Japan, I have never once heard of a larger person living or being there and I don't really want to be the odd one out either.
I hope this covers your question.
Louise. Wink

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

On tattoos:
Tattoos are commonplace in Tokyo. I saw as many tattoos and piercings in Tokyo as I do in Los Angeles.

On size:
I am 6'2" and, although I had to duck to get on a train and avoid hitting my head on all the handles hanging from the ceiling, I had no major problems with my height. If you are living in an apartment with a compact bathroom (the generic set up that you see in hotels) and you want to take a bath, your knees will stick out, but I rarely take a bath. If you mean size, as in weight, you may have a more difficult time. It was RARE that I would see someone overweight in Tokyo. However, I do know an overweight girl who got hired for JET last year. She was quite the opposite of healthy. It would be in your best interest to slim down, if even just for yourself. Smile

My height poses a problem for finding clothes that fit me in Japan, and I would imagine being hefty would pose an even bigger problem.

On getting a job:
You will have a slightly harder time if the tattoos are visible. Try to use a flesh-colored patch to hide them during your interview. A guy at my uni in Tokyo had a tattoo on his neck that was clearly visible when wearing a collared shirt. He would wear a patch over it when he had interviews. That seemed to work for him. Take any piercings you have out during the interview (I have a lobe and cart piercing that I take out everytime).

lou lou · Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 37 Location: England

Yeah, that new bike will be taking a hammering over the next 18 months. Laughing

spidey · Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2004 1:27 am Post subject:

lou lou,

I'm sure Nismo is quite sincere in his advice about weight, however I tend to disagree with his point of view.
The Japanese tend not to have any negative feelings about people that are large in stature. On the contrary, they seem to respect those individuals that are larger than "normal." The Japanese come in all sizes from super petite to giant sumo. It's not the size that counts but it is how you carry the size. If you tend to be self-conscious or even insecure about your weight then you may run into some problems. But those problems are not caused by the society in which you live. Are they?

If you show confidence in yourself and the things that you do, then you will have no problems whatsoever. I wouldn't focus so much on how you look on the outside as opposed to how you feel on the inside. To me that is what you should be "hammering" for the next 18 months. If you feel healthy and want to exercise because it keeps you strong and fit that's great. But if you want to exercise because you feel you need to fit in, that's another story.

good luck with your challenge

S

Eleckid · Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Posts: 102 Location: Aichi, Japan

Lou lou,

Don't worry about the size thing. Tho boney ppl are popular in Japan, big ppl are not rare. I've seen huge Japanese men & women walking around in my area. It's really no big deal.

There are also teachers I've met who are really tall & heavy. It is not a problem at all, as long as they are good & energetic teachers. The students love them. And as a foreigner, they kinda already have a perspective of them being tall & big, so they won't be in shock when they see you.

I'm also considered big in Japan (as in weight). If I buy clothes here, I need to get L or sometimes LL (whereas in Canada, I'd be considered avg & I buy M, S, or SS there). So I think the only big problem is buying clothes here as well as those small bathrooms with a tiny bathtub. I have to duck my head while taking a shower!

And I think you will also lose weight when you come here, cuz you'll be walking & biking more, & will perhaps eat more fish & seaweeds here (less oily, healthier food).