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Deicide
Joined: 29 Jul 2006
Posts: 1005
Location: Caput Imperii Americani
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 Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:24 pm Post subject: Foreigners in Japan: can one make generalisations or.... |
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categories?
Before I begin the post: Canuck do me a favour, if you wish to post on this, do so without the  ok? Prove to us that you can do it...we have faith in you  .
I am asking this question because my experiences in Korea have basically been such: Anglophones in Korean are almost uniformly alcoholics, drug addicts, reality escapers and worse. Sure it is a generalisation but one that I have found time and time again to ring true.
In coming to Japan I am hoping that I will be rid of this type of Anglophone and perhaps even meet other types of foreigners (Europeans, Germans, French, etc.). I want to be able to meet people of a more wordly nature who have lived abroad in different places, whose interest extend beyond the pub and are in general cool. Surely no one ought to make overt generalisations or put people in categories, but as a rough guideline how would the Japan vets and/or experts classify the different kinds of foreigners in Japan, in particular the Anglophones but also other types of gaijin? Thanks a lot for the input all...and Canuck, remember, no rolly, rolly ok? We love ya....  |
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furiousmilksheikali
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Posts: 1660
Location: In a coffee shop, splitting a 30,000 yen tab with Sekiguchi.
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| Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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As a chain smoking, red-faced, bald-headed, fat, ugly, alcoholic geek I'm glad to find that ALL other foreigners here are exactly the same.
By the way, I'm typing this on my laptop at the bar right now.
Reiko! Another double whisky! |
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Deicide
Joined: 29 Jul 2006
Posts: 1005
Location: Caput Imperii Americani
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| Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:37 pm Post subject: |
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| furiousmilksheikali wrote: |
As a chain smoking, red-faced, bald-headed, fat, ugly, alcoholic geek I'm glad to find that ALL other foreigners here are exactly the same.
By the way, I'm typing this on my laptop at the bar right now.
Reiko! Another double whisky! |
I did not mean to offend, but since I neither smoke, nor drink nor do drugs, my time here in Korea has been pretty boring...I apologise if you feel particularly targeted by this...I merely wish to find out what the typical foreigner in Japan is like... |
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furiousmilksheikali
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Posts: 1660
Location: In a coffee shop, splitting a 30,000 yen tab with Sekiguchi.
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| Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Deicide wrote: |
| furiousmilksheikali wrote: |
As a chain smoking, red-faced, bald-headed, fat, ugly, alcoholic geek I'm glad to find that ALL other foreigners here are exactly the same.
By the way, I'm typing this on my laptop at the bar right now.
Reiko! Another double whisky! |
I did not mean to offend, but since I neither smoke, nor drink nor do drugs, my time here in Korea has been pretty boring...I apologise if you feel particularly targeted by this...I merely wish to find out what the typical foreigner in Japan is like... |
I think there is enough nonsense spouted about what the "typical foreigner" is like by the more right-wing of Japanese society without us having to add our own two yen to it. |
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bornslippy1981
Joined: 02 Aug 2004
Posts: 271
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| Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 2:03 pm Post subject: |
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I think Canuck should be allowed to use the
When you're the second funniest poster, only slightly behind Navratilova, I think you've earned that right.
Just my opinion.
Oh, and I don't think I've met too many people who fit your Korean generalization.
There will always be different kinds of people. Join a club that you're interested in, and you'll probably find like-minded people from all walks of life. |
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furiousmilksheikali
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Posts: 1660
Location: In a coffee shop, splitting a 30,000 yen tab with Sekiguchi.
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| Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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Anyway, here's the definitive answer:
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Deicide
Joined: 29 Jul 2006
Posts: 1005
Location: Caput Imperii Americani
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| Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 2:10 pm Post subject: |
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| furiousmilksheikali wrote: |
Anyway, here's the definitive answer:
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Cheers for that one mate...really cool stuff  |
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canuck
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 1921
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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| bornslippy1981 wrote: |
I think Canuck should be allowed to use the
When you're the second funniest poster, only slightly behind Navratilova, I think you've earned that right.
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LOL. I'm sure Deicide and he/she have a tennis game lined up as soon as he hits Japan.
| Deicide wrote: |
| ...Pretty much all crap... |
If your posts are any indication of your personality, I'm sure you're going to have a hard time meeting meeting "people of a more wordly nature who have lived abroad in different places, whose interest extend beyond the pub and are in general cool." types of people.
| Deicide wrote: |
| Anglophones in Korean are almost uniformly alcoholics, drug addicts, reality escapers and worse. |
You're an Anglophone aren't you? Wait....
Reiko! Send me a beer too. I'll be back after I snort some coke and remember that I'm hiding from reality.
Hint: Foreigners come here for a variety of reasons, in all shapes and colours. That's about as accurate a statement your going to find in search of your silly question. |
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Khyron
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Posts: 291
Location: Tokyo Metro City
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| Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 2:28 pm Post subject: Re: Foreigners in Japan: can one make generalisations or.... |
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| Deicide wrote: |
categories?
Before I begin the post: Canuck do me a favour, if you wish to post on this, do so without the ok? Prove to us that you can do it...we have faith in you .
I am asking this question because my experiences in Korea have basically been such: Anglophones in Korean are almost uniformly alcoholics, drug addicts, reality escapers and worse. Sure it is a generalisation but one that I have found time and time again to ring true.
In coming to Japan I am hoping that I will be rid of this type of Anglophone and perhaps even meet other types of foreigners (Europeans, Germans, French, etc.). I want to be able to meet people of a more wordly nature who have lived abroad in different places, whose interest extend beyond the pub and are in general cool. Surely no one ought to make overt generalisations or put people in categories, but as a rough guideline how would the Japan vets and/or experts classify the different kinds of foreigners in Japan, in particular the Anglophones but also other types of gaijin? Thanks a lot for the input all...and Canuck, remember, no rolly, rolly ok? We love ya.... |
I've lived in both countries.
From what I've seen, you will find more of a variety of foreigners here in Japan. I've met way more French, German, Dutch, etc. people here than I did in Korea. Japan has a much greater appeal to most people than Korea does. As a result, you do find more types of people.
Then again, when I was in Korea, I lived in Ulsan; not in Seoul. Ulsan isn't exactly a very worldly city (other than the Russians hangout out at the hostess clubs). Not that Seoul is the most cosmopolitan city either...
Now I live in Tokyo. Comparing Ulsan to Tokyo isn't really a fair comparison. |
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Deicide
Joined: 29 Jul 2006
Posts: 1005
Location: Caput Imperii Americani
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| Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 3:16 pm Post subject: Re: Foreigners in Japan: can one make generalisations or.... |
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| Khyron wrote: |
| Deicide wrote: |
categories?
Before I begin the post: Canuck do me a favour, if you wish to post on this, do so without the ok? Prove to us that you can do it...we have faith in you .
I am asking this question because my experiences in Korea have basically been such: Anglophones in Korean are almost uniformly alcoholics, drug addicts, reality escapers and worse. Sure it is a generalisation but one that I have found time and time again to ring true.
In coming to Japan I am hoping that I will be rid of this type of Anglophone and perhaps even meet other types of foreigners (Europeans, Germans, French, etc.). I want to be able to meet people of a more wordly nature who have lived abroad in different places, whose interest extend beyond the pub and are in general cool. Surely no one ought to make overt generalisations or put people in categories, but as a rough guideline how would the Japan vets and/or experts classify the different kinds of foreigners in Japan, in particular the Anglophones but also other types of gaijin? Thanks a lot for the input all...and Canuck, remember, no rolly, rolly ok? We love ya.... |
I've lived in both countries.
From what I've seen, you will find more of a variety of foreigners here in Japan. I've met way more French, German, Dutch, etc. people here than I did in Korea. Japan has a much greater appeal to most people than Korea does. As a result, you do find more types of people.
Then again, when I was in Korea, I lived in Ulsan; not in Seoul. Ulsan isn't exactly a very worldly city (other than the Russians hangout out at the hostess clubs). Not that Seoul is the most cosmopolitan city either...
mate, if you have lived in Korea and especially Ulsan then you know I am on the money concerning Korea...
Now I live in Tokyo. Comparing Ulsan to Tokyo isn't really a fair comparison. |
mate, if you have lived in Korea and especially Ulsan then you know I am on the money concerning Korea... |
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nomadder
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
Posts: 709
Location: Somewherebetweenhereandthere
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| Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 2:04 am Post subject: |
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| You'll be lucky to meet any decent foreigners in Japan. I've met a few through travel only. Ok well 1 in Japan but from my home province and wilth debatable keeping in touch skills. |
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canuck
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 1921
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 2:11 am Post subject: |
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| nomadder wrote: |
| You'll be lucky to meet any decent foreigners in Japan. I've met a few through travel only. |
That's really sad. It probably says more about you than foreigners here in Japan. |
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Jon Taylor
Joined: 09 Mar 2005
Posts: 238
Location: Tokyo
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| Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 2:26 am Post subject: |
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| nomadder wrote: |
| You'll be lucky to meet any decent foreigners in Japan |
You shallow muppit.. |
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luckyloser700
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 308
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 3:19 am Post subject: |
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D,
The most general description I can give you of foreigners in Japan is...
Extended drumroll...
Well, they're not Japanese.
Go ahead and laugh, spit, or whatever... This could be some of the most useful information you find here.
If you come to Japan and are looking for deeper relationships than just those of drinking buddies, why not make some with members of the indigenous population? If you don't have this goal in mind, why come to Japan? Or go and live in any foreign country for that matter. If it's just for money or to escape from your own country, you've got problems and advice is not worth giving to you. If you're truly interested in foreign cultures, dive in. Sure, a good foreign friend will keep you sane when you have troubles in your relations with Japanese people, but mostly keep them around for nights of drinking or some other mindless (necessary) entertainment.
Having said that, I've met some outstanding foreign individuals here in Japan and one or two may be lifelong friends.
There are all kinds of foreigners here; stop thinking about what they may be like and worry about what the Japanese are like. That will benefit you a lot more. My best friends are all Japanese and don't speak English. And my Japanese sucks. Says a lot. |
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sushi
Joined: 28 Aug 2005
Posts: 145
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| Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 3:37 am Post subject: |
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You can meet the Jet or the Alt teachers. They are a wonderful mix of people.
Lot of Russians, and according to a recent issue of Time magazine many Indians and Pakistanis who are all over the place working on computer software.
You also got the Brazillians of Japanese descent who are employed in more of the unskilled DDD jobs, that the Japanese refuse to do.
What would German and French people be doing in Japan
Their are Bolivians and peruvians on the street selling jewelry too
Go hang out at one of the top tier universities and you will run into a lot of foreign Post-Docs |
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