Job Discussion Forums

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Hey Sour Grape,

Don't flatter yourself. I have been here way to long to give a toss.

Enjoy,
s

fox1 · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 268

fox1 · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 268

fox1 · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 268

by the way, i'm not saying it's (or it should be>) mandatory to smile...... but not not mandatory

SEndrigo · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 437

Amen Fox1 !!

I agree wholeheartedly, life is indeed too short!

I often smile or nod my head at foreigners here...I just want them to know I understand what it's like to live here and be an "outsider."

Regarding Tokyo trains, it would be great if people starting talking to each other...it's too bloody quiet and impersonal on the trains.

I sometimes have long days as well....I'm sometimes tired as well...but that doesn't mean I have to be rude to other people who want to talk.

One of the greatest things I've seen on a Tokyo train is a group of Japanese from South America speaking Spanish loudly, laughing, and acting obnoxiously during rush hour.

that's what life is about, not some self-righteous "I'm too cool to talk to you" attitude, from foreigners or Japanese !

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Right-on Fox and SEndrigo,

Hope I run into you all some day, won't be on a train though.
'Spreading the religeon and spreading the soul,
gotta keep it moving cause we're on a roll.'

Enjoy yourselves,
s

SEndrigo · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 437

too right Sweetsee !

if you're ever in the Tokyo area give me a shout !!

or if you ever see a loud foreigner who looks like he could be Italian mafia, that's me Smile

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Right-on Brother,

Don't make it in to Tokyo much anymore,
and when I do it's just in and out.
'Feeling over-confident and making a scene
with your shock-blue eyes and your tambourine.'

Enjoy yourself,
s

osakajojo · Joined: 15 Sep 2004 Posts: 229

As I have always been shy, I don't make an effort to approach any strangers on the street. However, if I make eye contact with a fellow gaijin than I will give 'em a smile and a little downwards nod- like a little mini-bow with my head it seems, that is opposite from in the States where I'd give a little "what's up!" upwards head nod.
I must admit, it is a little uncomfortable though to go a few days or so without seeing a non-asian than suddenly one starts to walk towards you. Its like my eyes are just casually glancing at the beautiful Japanese girls I pass, reading funny engrish t-shirts and checking out peoples' fashions then suddenly oh! a Westerner! My eyes automatically start to look down, across the way, then I think to myself, hey, don't be stupid, just look at him or her the same as you have everyone else, so I do if only for a second or two then if we make eye contact, I'll do my little smile and nod and most of the time I don' get any reaction at all but sometimes I'll get a smile back. It's only when I am by myself when I go through this whole "what do I do with my eyes!" crisis. If I am with a group, than its not a problem.
but as another poster pointed out, as shy as I am, I have no problem sharing this with the hundreds, potentially millions of strangers that may read this online!

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Know exactly what you mean Jojo, good description.

I enjoyed reading your post about the rave party in the park.
Seems like Osaka is where Tokyo was about 6 years ago when we had free parties every Sunday night in Yoyogi Park, in addition to all the parties at the beach and in the mountains. They still have them but I hear the vibe has changed. Now, I hear there are lots of fights and ripping off. Heard recently that gangs go around and steal everything in people's tents now, or have done; money, drugs, audio equipment, everything.

Used to be unreal. Two or three night raves in beautiful campgrounds, everybody camping and cooking, hanging out. They had the trance stage and chill-out stage with visual art. Times change but I am glad I was able to experience it before it did. Glad to hear the vibe is still cool there and that you are enjoying it, enshalla.

Party on,
s

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

SEndrigo · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 437

Glenski,

You needn't live in Japan to be friendly and smile at people. Whether or not I live here is not the issue, just that I try to be friendly to other foreigners.

And as for people being boisterous on trains, in every country I've been to except Japan, people were talking, laughing, and generally having a good time on the trains.

Actually, I don't think it's a Japan thing, it may just be a Tokyo thing, as people in Kansai trains seem to be more lively and friendly.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Hello SEndrigo,

Word. You defininely have the right idea, brother.
It takes less effort to smile than to frown.
And to borrow a prase from Spidey:
Positivism is contagious!

Enjoy yourselves,
s

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

SEndrigo,
I replied to exactly what you wrote.

SEndrigo · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 437

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying everyone on public transporation has to go out of their way to talk to others....I'm just saying that from my experience, Tokyo is the only place where I can walk into a train and meet a sea of blank emotionless faces.

Sure, some people talk, but that seems to be the exception rather than the norm.

I am sure there are other places in the world where people do not talk on the trains....it's just that I haven't ever seen such a place Smile