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eiyosus · Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 22

Hey, thanks for the support! Looking at the replies, I thought I'd get bashed for voicing my opinion.

I admit that "unreasonably discriminated against" wasn't a very good choice of words. I've never felt discriminated against, period. I just meant that I've felt like a foreigner here at times, but nothing that shouldn't have been expected when living abroad.

And I know that racism happening everywhere doesn't excuse it, but some people need to be reminded that it's doesn't happen only in Japan.

Mapleblondie · Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 93 Location: Canada

I had some pretty bad experiences, such as one time when an old woman gave me a dirty look and spat in front of me as I was walking. Another time, a woman in her 20s or 40s had 2 babies with her on her bike and shielded the one in front of her's eyes when they rode by me! I was so in shock at THAT! I normally don't care about being stared at for having blonde hair and whatnot, but that was too much.

The only time staring has REALLY bugged me is when I know its because some guy thinks I am blonde, young, and not hideous, so I must be a Russian prostitute. I started to become scared after a while, fearing that (since is happened twice) those guys would try to ask my "price for the night"...I just couldn't believe that they would think I was one of THEM! I mean, I dressed super prudishly, but just because I LOOKED like on of the Russian prostitutes with my hair and features, they still had the nerve to do that. That's why I nearly dyed my hair brown about halfway through my time in Japan. On top of getting asked that, a huge number (45-50!!!)of guys "Accidently" bumped into me on the street, baseball game, etc. and groped me, like they thought I wouldn't mind or something! Gah! That is the kind of racism and negative assumptions that bother me...Looks from people on a train are nothing in comparison with being made to feel like that. Well, at least that's my opinion.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Travel Zen · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:57 pm Post subject:

GIR · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 64

Kilgore Trout · Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 27 Location: Japan

I can only say that I have endured many forms of ridiculous behavior here, but I have never let it get to me too much.

Yes, they stare a lot, especially in the more remote locations. I have even had some of them (men mainly) yell at me on the street for no reason. However, they back off quick when you give it back to them.

There is no physical threat from anyone here that I have ever seen, so I just go about my business and let them stare.

I have to live my life the way I want, not the way anyone else wants.
Hence, f em if they don't like like it.

Never take this kind of crap personally from these people. Most of them are simply curious and really only want to pet your arm hair, touch your belly or say "see you again" and run away giggling.

It is like being around a lot of nervous children most of the time, so rather than "love it or leave it" just forget about the social awkwardness and do your business.
It does not make me feel superior to act this way, but I do get a sense of relief by knowing I don't really care if they stare.

As for the discrimination, there is no fighting it, and if you do not know that from your first encounter with it, then you will never learn.

These people are no better or worse than those I grew up around: They just have a different perspective.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

Where do you guys live that you get this kind of strange attention??

I am a blond-haired obvious-looking foreigner who lives in the Japan countryside (Northern Honshu). There is nothing touristic about where I live, so I should have the worst of the worst. (I do see Russians around my small town, as I'm on that side of Japan, so its possible that is a major factor - very familar with foreigners even up here in the middle of nowhere).

BUT...man, I really can't relate to most of this being said on this thread. I've been to most of the major cities, and never experience it there either. It certainly seems to exist somewhere in Japan, but I certainly haven't encountered anything that the rest of you do!

Mapleblondie · Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 93 Location: Canada

I used to live about 20 minutes from Juso, on the way to Osaka, as my uni was close to there. That area is generally kinda sketchy though, with all the business men looking for red light stuff...I never travelled around without at least one friend with me because I was too scared of that kinda groping or propositioning happening after a while actually. I love Osaka and MOST of the people, so I tried not to let that bother me too much or hinder my enjoyment while in Japan, but there was definitely a sense of helplessness, knowing that I couldn't really do much in response. I was NOT expecting that kind of thing either, as I have been to more inaka areas and just got stares and nothing more. I guess since the whole Russian stripping and prostituting thing is most prominent in Osaka, that's why they assumed it there...I dunno...no other explanation I can think of.

And yes, it bothered me a lot, but I don't think Japan is a place ou have to "LOVE OR LEAVE" in all respects. There are tons of things I love about the country, but getting groped and asked to prositute are NOT among them. I don't think they would be for any woman in any country for that matter.

SaganWasHere · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:27 pm Post subject:

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:18 am Post subject:

So, let me get this right....

You come to Japan where you are obviously going to look and act differently from natives. Ok...

If you want to blend in, stay in your home country. You will fit perfectly well there. Why come to　Japan if not to experience and enjoy the differences? That's all these "locals" are doing, experiencing the differences..YOUR differences. Let them , what of it?

I get 3 year old kids looking at me like I just fell off the Moon, and there ain't a thing weird about how I look. Let them enjoy the experience, if they do indeed enjoy it. Let's face it, their lives are not exactly brimming with excitement are they?

Typical Question to a Japanese student
"So what are your hobbies?"
Typical Answer
"Sleeping"

Wow. No wonder they get excited by a melanin-free eyeball or someone with a nose 2cm bigger then the national average.

Hmmm. That sounds somewhat cynical .

Good.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

I don't think we're talking about blending in, that is pretty much impossible unless you are Asian looking (and even that, similar to Japanese).

No, I don't expect that, it's just sometimes you would think for an area that bills itself as a modern, sophisticated metro area, that the locals wouldn't get excited about someone getting on the train or walking down the street. Maybe excited is not the right word, but overreacting.

I think it's most interesting when it happens sometimes in my own neighborhood, where these people are surprised that I live here Cool

. Gee, I can just imagine that happening in London, Paris or Bangkok. Well, maybe not.

budgie · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 40