Job Discussion Forums

[Nismo]

The use of the word 'gaijin' is considered derogatory, as I am sure most of you are aware. You'll rarely hear the term used amongst Japanese in the presence of a foreigner, they'll instead use the proper term 'gaikokujin'.

The shortening of 'gaikokujin' to 'gaijin' can be likened to the shortening of 'Japanese' to 'Jap'. It is just one of my pet peeves that foreigners abuse, but at the same time I am amused that I am part of this category of people that can claim 'that is our word' (think black people and the use of 'nigga').

Amongst other things, the use of 'otaku' amongst anime lovers annoys me to no end. Do they not know they are insulting themselves? It's like they are calling themselves rejects of society. I just wanted to hear what the rest of the board users thought, and I invite you to list your pet peeves revolving around foreigners in Japan.

[lostgaijin]

agreed.... but u know i live in the countryside in Japan and its just used informally these days... u know its like watching Boyz in da Hood...same kind of context.... as for the anime slang...u got me there...

Brandon
http://www.lostgaijin.com

[denise]

I have heard Japanese folks use 'gaijin' in my presence--maybe they don't know that we know that it is offensive? I use it myself because I know very well that i am a foreigner/outsider, and that doesn't bother me at all because I like who I am and where I come from.

d

[canuck]

Many Japanese don't think it's being impolite and aren't being rude. I would think it's more of a polically correct type of thing. Just like calling someone black. It depends on the tone. I have many African American/African Canadian/People of colour friends. I have no problem and they have no problem with the term black.

I think the word gaijin and the negatively is blown out of proportion.

[king kakipi]

Nismo wrote:-

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

I've had Japanese people switch from Gaikokujin to Gaijin with me standing right there after being told that I don't understand Japanese (except that the person who told them knows that, to a large extent, I do and just wanted to see what would happen!).

I don't find the gaijin, gaikokujin thing half as annoying as the apparent heirarchy of foreign countries that many people seem to have, even within English speaking countries, when it is so apparent that many, many Japanese people cannot hear the difference in speech between a Canadian from Toronto and an Englishman from Manchester!

[Nismo]

Gaijin-san. AHAHAHA. That's so disrespectful. I rarely heard 'gaijin' used in the heart of Tokyo - I lived in Nerima-ku and went to school at Ichigaya/Yotsuya stations. I just finished up a year at Jouchi daigaku completing my Japanese major at UCSB. All of my Japanese teachers would blush hearing us use the word 'gaijin', and they told us it isn't a very nice word. It used to be the Japanese racist term mainly reserved for Chinese (the equivalent of 'Chink').

And it isn't racist at all to say someone is black - the same reason it isn't racist to be called white. Not all black people have roots in Africa, and I don't expect people to call me Irish-American. A lot of my black friends hate the term 'African-American' because, just like me, they're already 4th or 5th generation American. The mystery lies in that it would be racist to call anyone 'yellow'. Human emotions are a very weird thing - we're a very illogical race of beings.

Isn't anyone else annoyed at 'kinds of foreigners' you find in Japan? I knew a Canadian guy who had nothing but complaints about Japan - and it was his choice to have lived there for 3 years and continue living there. I was always curious, because if I don't like avocado I don't make myself an avocado salad.

[JimDunlop2]

Gaikokujin-sama wa dame desu yo!

Yeh... This kind of thing tends to grate on a bit on me too.. I mean... When they come to my country, THEY are the gai-jin but they don't know/realize it. To them, even when they visit N. America, WE are still the "gai-jin" to them.

If we really want to turn a few heads while out with friends, we refer to each other publically as "kettou". This is the Japanese equivalent to some African-Americans from the projects referring to each other as "n****r". (An approximate translation of that wonderful word is: white, hairy-arsed barbarian!).

I think that maybe I should start oozing sarcasm a bit more often (and a bit more heavily). Whenever I get stupid-assed questions and remarks about my gaijin-ness (whether it's complementing my language skills, use of chopsticks or knowledge of aspects of their culture) I should respond in kind with comments like: "Do you guys still have ninjas in Japan?" Or ask them if they have vending machines inside their apartments and houses. I know the sarcasm would be completely LOST on them, but it would make me feel better, and I'm sure if there were any other kettou within earshot, they'd be doubled over laughing.

I'm really not bitter! Honest!

[6810]

all formality aside

You can take gaijin to mean "non-Japanese". Given that the Japanese language has been for so long focused on Japan and its inhabitants it makes sense that you would use the word "gaijin" as a Japanese overseas.

As for me, living in the country... well, at first people say gaijin, but after formalities (about a week or two) they start using gaijin. After a few months, it's implied and not really used at all. At least where I live and in regard to me.

It's like "anta". The abbreviated form of "anata". Different people in different places think of this term as offensive or affectionate. FOr me, I still find it hard to cop my partners' parents referring to each other and her as "anta", but they don't even give it a second thought...

[Nagoyaguy]

If you want to be picky, "gaijin" is NOT simply the shortened form of "gaikokujin". Both words have unique histories and different usages in Japan.

Gaijin was used as a term that meant 'outsider'. SOmeone from a different village or town was a gaijin to people inside the village.

Gaikokujin was the term for foreign people, from other countries.

These days, gaijin means un-Japanese. So a person who calls you gaijin is simply pointing out what you are NOT. Pretty rude. Imagine saying, "hey, you un-American, can you use a fork and knife?" or "Mr. un-Canadian, do you like to eat bread ?" Adding san or sama is not polite, and in many ways makes it even more insulting depending on the situation. Consider the word 'kisama' as an example of politeness carried to the level of epithet.

What bugs me most, though, is when my un-Japaneseness is pointed out when it is irrelevant. Entering a restaurant and hearing the host say "table for 3 gaijin samas". Or being called gaijin in a shop. In Japanese, there are many ways to refer to people. I can be okyaku-san, sensei, Nagoyaguy-kun, the guy in the jeans and green shirt, onii-san, otosan, and so on. There is no need to point out my status as un-Japanese. Only when doing official government paperwork (visa, alien registration) is it OK.

[6810]

[guest of Japan]

Being called gaijin is so frequent that I tend to not even think about it anymore. Some of the teachers I work with tend to call me gaijin sensei. I'm not sure how to take it.

The thing that grates on me worst of all is when I order something at a restaurant and the waitstaff confirms my order with my wife and not me. They simply have no idea how insulting it is.

[bshabu]

[6810]

[Willy_In_Japan]

On my first visit to Japan, I was in a McDonalds in Hiroshima, and the McDonalds employee wanted to get my attention, and called to me "Gaijin-san!"..........I don't mind the word "gaijin" really, but that REALLY pissed me off......there is a proper word for customer, and "Gaijin san" isn't it. I know that "Sir" would have been appropriate in English, and Im not sure how she should have addressed me, but I really thought that was rude. I think she could see I was quite angry, although I didn't say anything at the time.

I will certainly say something if it ever happens again.