Job Discussion Forums

Bahcevan · Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Posts: 39

I have never been to Japan, so I wanted to ask about this bizarre
entry I read in Wikipedia:

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

Is this really so common in Japan? Has it ever happened to you?

At the bottom of the page is a link to a teacher's account of classroom chaos...

bearcat · Joined: 08 May 2004 Posts: 367

If you teach young kids it will happen to you. Kids by western standards are much more wild here and alot of groping and kancho style things occur.

There are various ways to handle it when it happens but your chances to avoid it all together are remote at best.

Shonai Ben · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 617

I taught kids for 2 years and had no problems......

bearcat · Joined: 08 May 2004 Posts: 367

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

I think it`s more of a problem in Korea. I haven`t heard of it.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

It took me 3 days to learn what it was in Korea (called dong chim). The kid couldn't pick his nose with that finger for a few weeks. I somehow never quite found the humour in it.

AndyH · Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 417

Ahhh, the KANCHO!!! Whenever I see a little kid trying to sneak up on me, with a big grin on their face, I know what to expect!!! Having taught in Korea prior to my arrival in Japan, I wasn't caught off-guard.
In Korea, I had a little punk 8-year old who loved to do it. A perfect retaliation, which I inflicted on him, is the WEDGIE. I gave him a huge one (his underwear went about halfway up his back!) and he had the most surprised look on his face afterwards. It was priceless!!! (note: teachers can get away with a lot more in Korea-even if the place does suck!)

ellethecat · Joined: 11 Apr 2004 Posts: 75 Location: edmonton

I teach kids in Japan, most of the teachers Ive worked with have had this happen. The kids also do it to each other. Ive had something similar, but not exactly the same happen. I had a kid put his face into my lap.

wintersweet · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 3:53 pm Post subject:

There's a few stories about kancho from here: http://outpostnine.com/editorials/teacher.html
which became quite popular with the "Tee hee! Japan's so odd!" crowd. It's been on MetaFilter and linked all over the place. .

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I've taught high school kids for almost 4 years, and I've ridden the school bus with JHS and SHS kids for most of that time. Buses can get as densely packed as subways in Tokyo rush hour. Never once has that happened to me.

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

ntropy · Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 671 Location: ghurba

happened all the time in my elementary and JHS classes, including kids sneaking up on me.

Synne · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 269 Location: Tohoku

bearcat is dead on.

There is a seemingly more "perverted" aspect to kids here in Japan.(Perverted by western standards)

Many young boys will full out grope other students. I have yet to see a girl be as remotely bad with this type of behaviour as I have seen a boy.

All in all it is something to look out for if you are a somewhat insecure individual when it comes to personal space, but if not then it just comes and goes and you learn no not pay too much attention to it.

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

This is a boy thing. Boys do it ot other boys and men(their adult male teachers)

Being a woman, I had to witness much of this while never experiencing it first hand. I did scold the students but to no avail. My husband is Japanese and he grew up with it. His mentality is "boys will be boys". I personally prefer the "keep your hands to yourself" mentality.

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan