Job Discussion Forums

[Jazz1975]

[PAULH]

[Jazz1975]

[macondo]

Ok,so getting back to the original poster's point....

I can understand where he's coming from. Although I am not in Japan yet, I did spend 5 months in Chile in college, and while I preferred to hang out with Chilean friends during that time, having some gringos to talk to was a big help, especially since, at that time, my Spanish, while fluent, was not native. For one thing, it's hard to be funny in a second language unless you've been living somewhere for a long time (or living among/ working with native speakers). It also helped to have one or two gringa friends who could relate to my situation of being away from home, living and studying in a foreign country.

So, my point is that, while ideally (well, according to my ideals) one should obviously make every attempt to immerse themselves in the host culture, having a gaijin/gringo outlet or support network is healthy. Not that I'd recommend hanging out at "gaijin" bars all the time, but once in a while seems appropriate.

[FuzzX]

Is hiring barely literate foreign graduates with a BA to teach English but not an experienced Japanese English speaker or a highly educated Asian with 600 in the TOEFL racist too? Sometimes I think this society gives the white English speaker too many breaks.


Oh I`m sorry Mr. high and mighty, I didn`t realize that being an uneducated japanese hating *beep* like myself made me any less of a teacher than you are. Christ at least I dont mind hanging out with my own kind once in awhile (ESLers from around the world). Are you some self hating expat or something? As far as I see it, YOU ARE the one who is RACIST. I never said anything about going to ANTI-Japanese bars or not having japanese around or hating anybody...

I SAID POST GAIJIN HANGOUTS because unlike you, I dont deny where I came from and I like speaking with people from around the world not just limiting myself to `Academic` Japanese posers.

BTW I`ve taught in 5 countries Korea, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and Germany, travelled to over 20 and I`ve got both TESOL and CELTA, does that qualify me as being a stuck up, egotistical MOD EDIT like yourself? Maybe if I spend enough time in one place and learn to hate my job and my coworkers, I`ll get to be as self rightous as you... oh cherish the thought.

For anyone else still reading this, I`m looking for your favorite places... I like to network! Im here in Utsunomiya and I`ve found a place called the Lions Head. If you want to come hangout some night and bring people along please PM me, I`d be more than happy... I dont care if your Japanese, Tawainese, ESLease....whatever.

[JimDunlop2]

I try my best not to be racist... But I do think that a bit of tit-for-tat could perhaps open some eyes.

Like a foreigner-only bar or nightclub with a really big bouncer out front checking for alien registration cards -- except you gotta have one to enter... Or maybe even let everyone in, but make sure the drinks all cost over 1000 yen but you get a 500 yen discount when you can prove you are not Japanese.

Also, you know those ultra-right-wing black vans that go around playing WWII military march music and spewing hate propaganda? A good KKK counter-protest could fix that..... Complete with white sheets, rebel flags and a lot of noise. Not that you'd ever find KKK members anywhere near Japan.

Maybe stuff like that would open peoples' eyes. Maybe if the Japanese newspapers and people caught onto such cases of reverse discrimination there would be more pressure to write effective anti-discrimination legislation.

But I know I'm only dreaming.

[PAULH]

[Genkikiwi]

was just reading this thread thinking how we needed a Macondo on here to get it going more positively and had a funny thought.

I am sure if Paul H and Fuzz X met in a bar and started chatting , they more than likely would get on famously.

[khmerhit]

eXCUSE ME, EXCUSE.....You gentlemen could do with a holiday, it seems to me. And you know where, too!!

"Play it again, Sam. Play that tune you were just playing."












CAMBODIA----TRY IT AND SEE

[FuzzX]

Ok Paul this bickering is pointless. Help me out here... Why dont you post everyplace you hate in japan and everything that makes you mad about Gaijinism. That'll probably be all the stuff I like. This way its a win win for both of us.

[Tom Highway]

Utsunomiya has a few decent places. Off the top of my head I can't remember the names though...it's been awhile since I was there. In my experience there are three main types of gaijin hangouts that most large cities have:

1.) The Irish/English Pub: Usually sporting a large sign over the door that says "Genuine English Pub" or "Ye Olde Pub Fare" or something equally quaint. Every decent sized city has a couple. Usually no seating charge but 900yen for a pint of Guinness!

2.) The Meatmarket: Every city has one. Gaijin go there. Often though not the gaijin you might want to meet...the "oh boy! Sexual Intercourse with a human female!" crowd tends to congregate there. Not always though.

3.) The "Hidden Gem": My favorite category. JET/ALTS seem to have a nose for sniffing these places out. Usually they have some attractive feature...very cheap, good ambiance, etc.

Good luck! I'll tell you, the limited amount of Japanese I know has been very useful for talking with other gaijin. I've met people from Russia, SE Asia, South America, Polynesia, etc and spoken to all of them in Japanese (its a strange feeling)

[Bozo Yoroshiku]

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

This thread is being locked due to insults and personal attacks.

If and when the thread is unlocked, it would be in everyone's interest to stop the insults and personal attacks. If they continue, members will be sanctioned, as appropriate.