Job Discussion Forums

[Chris12]

Big John Stud wrote:

Chris12 wrote: [color=yellow]John you shouldn't teach 10 little guijins! That isn't even funny! Try teaching them this song. I know the kids where I teach love it. It goes something like this: A guijin is a sub-human born outside of Japan. He's just plain stupid as stupid as can be! He doesn't know his left foot from his right! Not all the guijin live abroad, every day you see quite a few! And another favorite is If you are a guijin and you know it clap you hands! Thanks 12! I tried those songs today, and the kids loved them!

I hope you are joking! You didn't really teach those songs to children? Did you? If so you are a moran! I was being sarcastic!

[angrysoba]

[buddhaboyjp]

I understand well the feeling about this 'gaijin' thing, especially for someone just off the boat, but isn't it about time we get over this once and for all? Especially for you veterans?

Granted, I have had a few uncomfortable situations, maybe a few cases of discrimination, but these things have not kept me from living here for 15 yrs.

The things that you should be fighting about you can do nothing anyways.
You will NOT be able to start a new revolution. The prime minister is not going to listen to you and make some big cultural change for your whiney self.

If you can reach a few friends, relatives, and students about this gaijin thing, then great! You have done your share. That is about as far as it is getting.

Cannot vote? So what!! Who is there worth voting for?
Cannot buy property or invest into a business more then 49/51? So what!
You really want to be a proud owner of a pre-fabricated house with no space for the BBQ?
Do you really really want to work for a Japanese company that is not related to teaching English? I have done that, and it is NOT FUN at all.

Have you ever been spit on? Had a cross burned in your front balcony?
Do you really really think when a Japanese uses the word 'gaijin', they are full of contempt and hatred?
Don't you think there are better choice of words to show disrespect, if that is their meaning?

Of course YOU know how you want to be addressed, and surely tell those people that you can reach, but other than that, JUST GET OVER IT ALREADY! Live with it. Deal with it. Don't ignore it, but deal with it.
Do what you can. Your kids getting bullied about being a 'haffa'? Then go to the school and give them a piece of your mind. Live with it, do what you can. Other then that, STFU about it already.
Buddha H. Christ!!

[Sweetsee]

This gaijin bought a condo.

[buddhaboyjp]

[JimDunlop2]

尊皇攘夷 !!!!!

The slogan may have died but its spirit still lingers on.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to make your corner of the world and community a better place. There ain't much to vote for back home either.... But if I lived there I would certainly be voting.

For what its worth, most of the "veterans" here are dealing with it (or have dealt with it). If we hadn't, we wouldn't still be here, right? Things may not change overnight, but I see complaining and whining about it as a positive thing. Do what you can to cause people to question. Force people to re-examine their values and notions about others. Why should this be any different than disspelling any of the thousands of misconceptions and myths that Japanese people have about us?

If a Japanese student tells me, "It must be very dangerous living in America because everyone owns a gun." Do I nod my head in agreement? No! Of course not! I inform him that is not the case. Likewise, when they learn that I'm from Canada, the only thing they "know" is: "samui desho?" I'm not SO selfish and ignorant as to NOT tell them that my country is more than just blowing snow and sheets of ice. (Many are genuinely surprised that we have four seasons just like Japan does).

I am here in Japan as an educator. It is my job to teach, and for me that doesn't stop with English language instruction. With it comes also an opportunity to teach culture, manners, history, international understanding, politics, civil and human rights, and basically whatever else may be necessary to improve my students' knowledge and understanding. If I take the attitude, "I can't change 'em so why try?" I'm not being a very good teacher.

P.S. For what it's worth, I don't own a house -- I rent one, and it's got a HUGE garden and I'm buying me one of THESE: http://www.ezbbq.com/ BBQs.... And any one of y'all is welcome to come by my place, suck back a cold beer and grill a steak with me!