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Canuck2112 · Joined: 13 Jun 2003 Posts: 239

I found myself feeling the same way as the OP when I first got here. Any perceived slight based on me being "gaijin" would have me crying "racist". It was because it was the first time in my life I experienced racism...mild but racism nonetheless.

These days, it still irks me when some local makes a stupid comment toward s me, but I take it in stride. The person is a moron. He/she has never met me, knows nothing about me, and has already passed judgement on me. His/her opinions mean nothing.

I've travelled extensively myself, and frankly, the Japanese as a whole really do suck when it comes to GENUINELY welcoming visitors. This may be part of the reason they're ranked...what?...38th in the world for tourism. The chilly responses you get from people aren't directed at you. Evidentally, they're directed at the entire "gaikoku" world if the dearth of tourists is any indication.

Do you own thing. Find something you like. Hang out with cool people and forget the rest. Make the best of your time here.

Zzonkmiles · Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 309

Ravel,

The tattoo issue is one you're just going to have to deal with. The Japanese associate tattoos with the Japanese mafia (yakuza), so you can imagine why such people are not welcome at gyms, public baths, etc. You're either going to have to find a gym that has a less restrictive policy regarding tattoos, or you're going to have to give up on the gym stuff altogether.

The haircut issue is a tricky one. Some businesses have "no foreigners" signs in them because, well, they are indeed racist. Other businesses have "no foreigners" signs up because they don't want to be held liable for any problems they may encounter with them that arise from miscommunication. It's a tough call. I never went to a barber shop in Japan because I learned how to cut my own hair. Saved money too.

Seriously, you need to learn at least basic Japanese. These people (regular Japanese) are very different from the students you meet at your eikaiwa. Regular Japanese people are not interested in English, could care less about your country, and aren't really impressed by you just because you're a foreigner. You're on their turf, so you need to adapt to their rules and expectations. At least demonstrating knowledge of some level of Japanese automatically identifies you as someone who has some level of respect for the country you're a guest in, which would make people more inclined to help you.

I had a similar experience with a woman at a convenience store who was always less than enthusiastic whenever I came in the store. But when I finally cursed her out in front of her supervisor in her language, her attitude changed considerably. For the sake of your own survival, I highly recommend hitting the books. People will be less inclined to screw you over if they know you can fight back in their language. By the way, I don't think people in your home country would take too kindly to a foreigner complaining that nobody there can speak Tagalog or Persian. So why are you so surprised that it's happening to you now?

I don't know if this is culture shock or if Japan is simply not a good fit for you, but it sounds like you are unwilling to compromise on a few things or that perhaps you had unrealistic expectations about this country to begin with. I personally love Japan. I made great friends here that treated me unbelievably well. So it is possible to have a great time here. But my approach to living here was a bit different.

Good luck, Ravel.

shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270

Asgardfox · Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 23

I just wanted to make a comment having experienced racism in Japan myself. If anyone has ever gone to a rental agency to get a place then you know exactly what I mean. I don't know if this was the direction the barber was going in, maybe not but....a few the rental agencies I went to I was first told the same thing, basically if you don't speak Japanese we can't help you. Then I began to speak Japanese, and did they give me service and help me find an apartment? No, they didn't. They instead said come back when you have a Japanese person with you. When I did bring a Japanese person I was basically told that unless this Japanese person is going to room with you then we can't rent to you. Eventually I found a good rental agency and all was well, but this has just been my experience for what it is worth.

Asgard

ravel · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 3:31 pm Post subject:

Jade monkey....read my thoughts!

Marckel (sp?) That was very funny, and I have had several good experiences here, but this is also the first time I have experienced OVERT prejudice or racism.

Regarding the haircut thing, my issue is they didn't even attempt to try it was more of a we refuse to try.

Same with the information guy, I had a pen and paper in hand, whilst two useful information guys were trying to help me the third (supervisor took up space and air to restate "English no, English no" So I cut him off (he after all interrupted me to tell me what I already knew), finished asking the useful guys a question using Japanese location names and a drawing. I would at least make the attempt to help ANYONE SPEAKING ANY LANGUAGE if they INDICATED they needed help and have done so on several occasions. (Save your breath naysayers I don't have specific examples I keep for occasions like this, if I can help I at least try and don't keep track of such instances, oh did I mention this isn't my job and it WAS his?

Regarding comments about getting over myself, my attitude...I don't walk into a situation expecting anything really, I suppose I do....a small attempt at helping...something I have found present in every other country.

Do I have a bad attitude when someone is overtly prejudiced or racist YES, but not until then.

No this isn't a random beating because of the color of my skin, and no I don't live daily with prejudice daily, but it doesn't make it okay either.

This is the first time and first place I have had this kind of experience, so maybe the rocket scientist who suggested it was my attitude would like to explain why that is?

To the person who who suggested I am closed minded for recognizing prejudice and knowing it's definition I suggest they look up the definition and apply it to their statements.

To the people who were supportive, thanks, I really do want to make this a positive and meaningful experience.

About why I would complain about my employer as long as they payed me? Simple, I'm just one of those freaks who would like a job that makes some sort of difference to something other than someone's bank account (including mine). I used to print junk mail, good money but meaningless, I could have stayed in the industry if money was what was important to me. Call me crazy but I think it would be good and heartwarming to find just one ethical employer, just one person to be honest from the outset.

Yes, obviously racism and prejudice is everywhere this is the ONLY place I have personally experienced it overtly. Yes this is about me, if this is the ONLY country I consistently experience it why would I stay?

shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270

"So, like, I went to Japan to teach English and they were, like, so racist to me 'cause they wouldn't speak to me in English and stuff, man."

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 2:01 am Post subject:

ravel · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 2:18 am Post subject:

I forgot to reply to Glenski....

Glenski I recall and read all of your PM's and posts, and appreciate all the help and advice you sent my way, I like people who are streight up like you. So okay it's a business, but if i were to promise you a cell phone as a business, you would expect to get what you are promised rght? Well the ESL business is promising cell phones and delivering two paper cups and a string. Business or not the industry has miserably failed to deliver what it advertises from what I have experienced thus far with basically all my students. If ESL is a business it's a failure in that respect too. It's a shame really that people just accept it as it is because as a product it's garbage when it need not be.

Furiousmilsekali Did you read what I wrote? your reply suggests not. I don't expect anyone to speak English, and them being monolingual does not make them racist, but refusing someone service for not speaking their language is prejudiced. I simply expect the amount of effort I would try to give anyone who indicated theyy wanted needed or requested my help. It's a pathetic lack of imagination that some people think language is the only communication option I expected to not use language, but I suggest some people learn to read their own language better before commenting.

JonnyB61 · Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 216 Location: Japan

Hold on folks. I think I see the problem.

There seems to be a small misunderstanding here.

A person who dislikes tatoos is not a racist. He is a tatooist. It's similar to someone who dislikes cigarette smoke who would be described as a tobacconist, or someone dissatisfied with the size of their posterior who would be described as an arsonist.

There! I think that clears things up.

God bless the English language! Rolling Eyes

southofreality · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Tokyo

Uh-oh.

Someone began hitting the bottle pretty early today.

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 2:38 am Post subject:

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

southofreality · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Tokyo

kdynamic · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 562 Location: Japan

I agree the everyone in Japan should try to learn Japanese.

But I am thinking about how when I was in Taiwan recently, unable to speak Chinese AT ALL (I was there for a 4 day vacation) everyone I encountered was extremely helpful and friendly no matter what their English ability. I used a lot of sign language, was able to laugh at myself and make them laugh, and got by somehow.

Compare that to Japan where some people take one look at me, make the batsu sign with their arms, say "no ingurishu!" and run away.... even though I speak fluent Japanese.

I don't know whether it's racism in Japan or what, but I think Japan would be a much better place if people were friendlier to foriegners and gave them the benefit of the doubt. Sure, some Japanese are already very friendly and helpful, but I think it's something a lot of people here need to work on. I think most Japanese would even admit they get "nervous" around foreigners, which is silly.