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elkarlo
Joined: 08 Dec 2008
Posts: 240
Location: Maryland
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 Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:37 am Post subject: |
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| Apsara wrote: |
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| not having temp control in either the winter or summer |
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As an American I am used to AC that is fridge like, and a heater that can melt things that should not melt. Japanese AirCons are weak, and in schools not so common. Let me put it this way, Scrooge McDuck is in change of the temp controls of the AC and eaters of Japan  |
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Apsara
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 2142
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:08 am Post subject: |
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| I can also fridge or roast my apartment if I so choose, and plenty of offices and convenience stores are like ice boxes in summer. "Japanese A/Cs are weak" is just too sweeping a generalisation, and in my experience, not true. |
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GambateBingBangBOOM
Joined: 04 Nov 2003
Posts: 2021
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:19 am Post subject: |
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| it's no that they're 'weak' (although central air usually has more vents in a single room and so are more effective). I think it's the insulation factor. I can make my room freezing in summer, if I want, too. But without the insulation (and having big SINGLE pain windos in this country) that we have in North America, the heat gets into the walls and so the air conditioner is actually fighting uphill, compared with North American ones. |
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elkarlo
Joined: 08 Dec 2008
Posts: 240
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:24 am Post subject: |
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| Apsara wrote: |
| I can also fridge or roast my apartment if I so choose, and plenty of offices and convenience stores are like ice boxes in summer. "Japanese A/Cs are weak" is just too sweeping a generalisation, and in my experience, not true. |
Have you been to America? Have you entered a mall and felt the over pressure? My office at work now is 24C. It's actually grossly hot. Ok not weak, but Japanese temp adjusters are rationed out by Scrooge McDuck. While in America you can have it the opposite seasons temp inside. |
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Apsara
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 2142
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:46 am Post subject: |
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| Have you been to America? |
Yep, NYC in midsummer, and also Australia, where the temp regularly goes over 40 deg C in January and February. I know what strong a/c feels like. What you may have encountered in Japan is people using as little a/c or heating as they can because of the government's cool biz initiatives etc, for example in summer businesses and homes are supposed to set their aircons to 27 degrees. It's not that the machines are weak, it's that people use them at what you might consider to be weak settings. Japan is a huge producer of aircon units- it's not as if they lack the technology to manufacture strong air conditioners... |
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JL
Joined: 26 Oct 2008
Posts: 241
Location: Las Vegas, NV USA
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| Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:05 am Post subject: |
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| (This next comment ought to get some people comin' out of the bag...) I thinks it's also that Asians are more tolerant of high heat and humidity. Some of this, I'm sure, is just acclimation. But not all of it. Whether this is truly a genetic difference, or due to other factors, such as body mass, I have no idea. But I do know that I have been in countless situations in Japan, Thailand, etc., where I was sweating profusely, only to be surrounded by serene natives, enjoying the spectacle of my discomfort. So frankly, the need for the same amount of air "conditioning", might not be the same. |
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SteveStevenson
Joined: 29 Jan 2009
Posts: 14
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| Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 7:22 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, I have contacted the potential employer and told them that I cannot leave so soon.
I had not even considered Vietnam, I have heard good things and would consider spending some time there with WWOOF, which I just found out about by searching these boards. Korea just doesnt appeal to me and I don't like Chinese (language) so Taiwan's not a real option for me.
Right now I'm working on an application with MIL and waiting for the new issue of OhaiyoSensei...
I really appreciate everybody's help! |
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elkarlo
Joined: 08 Dec 2008
Posts: 240
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 2:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Apsara wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Have you been to America? |
Yep, NYC in midsummer, and also Australia, where the temp regularly goes over 40 deg C in January and February. I know what strong a/c feels like. What you may have encountered in Japan is people using as little a/c or heating as they can because of the government's cool biz initiatives etc, for example in summer businesses and homes are supposed to set their aircons to 27 degrees. It's not that the machines are weak, it's that people use them at what you might consider to be weak settings. Japan is a huge producer of aircon units- it's not as if they lack the technology to manufacture strong air conditioners... |
They are misers with their ACs. My Mom is too. Just moved back in to save a bit and get ready to go. My Mom like to keep the place cold, it was 12C this morning, inside.
Anyhow, in Japan I figure one has to get used to being Hot, and Cold. There is less respite from the extreme temps. At the least the TS's chool will prolly not use AC or Heating all that much. I went to school in Japan, and we got neither. Well we did open the windows in May, but that was it.
And yes Japan only mnfgs good ACs for export. All the broken and half powered ones are for sale in Japan. I don't see how you don't realize this. Just like Japan exports awesome cars, and uses the left overs for domestic sales |
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elkarlo
Joined: 08 Dec 2008
Posts: 240
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 2:46 pm Post subject: |
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| SteveStevenson wrote: |
Yeah, I have contacted the potential employer and told them that I cannot leave so soon.
I had not even considered Vietnam, I have heard good things and would consider spending some time there with WWOOF, which I just found out about by searching these boards. Korea just doesnt appeal to me and I don't like Chinese (language) so Taiwan's not a real option for me.
Right now I'm working on an application with MIL and waiting for the new issue of OhaiyoSensei...
I really appreciate everybody's help! |
Yeah, tell them you can come over in Sept or whenever their next session starts. You don't need to rush into moving to a foreign country.
Yeah Vietnam may be an up and comer. I think they can follow the Chinese model and grow a fair deal more. Not only that, you get to see a culture in transition.
Seems as though people aren't really big fans of Korea.
I hear not wanting to speak Chinese. I tired for a good while. I am not good at music, which makes the tome simpossible for me. Thoguh I am still going to give it a try. Why? I'm a stubborn jerk, and when i get my mind set on something that's it. |
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JL
Joined: 26 Oct 2008
Posts: 241
Location: Las Vegas, NV USA
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| Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:05 pm Post subject: |
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| elkarlo wrote: |
| And yes Japan only mnfgs good ACs for export. All the broken and half powered ones are for sale in Japan. I don't see how you don't realize this. Just like Japan exports awesome cars, and uses the left overs for domestic sales |
Apsara,
I do believe the lad is trying to goad you. The slower and more painful you make his comeuppance, the more satisfying it will be for me to watch. 
Last edited by JL on Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:48 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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bearcat
Joined: 08 May 2004
Posts: 367
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| Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:14 pm Post subject: |
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| elkarlo wrote: |
Anyhow, in Japan I figure one has to get used to being Hot, and Cold. There is less respite from the extreme temps. At the least the TS's chool will prolly not use AC or Heating all that much. I went to school in Japan, and we got neither. Well we did open the windows in May, but that was it.
And yes Japan only mnfgs good ACs for export. All the broken and half powered ones are for sale in Japan. I don't see how you don't realize this. Just like Japan exports awesome cars, and uses the left overs for domestic sales |
Actually elkarlo, the models sold overseas and in Japan are the same except for perhaps some voltage or other considerations. This includes the split AC units that you evidently think are inferior.
Honestly, elkarlo, do you think it is wise of you to sport this continued belief that you understand enough about the living and working conditions here in Japan given your extremely limited knowledge base and experience in country? I think you're attempting to mean well but you seem to invariably be embroiling yourself in controversy due to your misrepresentation of things. I think you ought to strongly consider whether you are helping or hindering others by what you post. |
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SteveStevenson
Joined: 29 Jan 2009
Posts: 14
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| Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:17 am Post subject: |
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| SteveStevenson wrote: |
I hear not wanting to speak Chinese. I tired for a good while. I am not good at music, which makes the tome simpossible for me. Thoguh I am still going to give it a try. Why? I'm a stubborn jerk, and when i get my mind set on something that's it. |
I just refuse to learn a language that doesn't have an alphabet and hasn't been improved upon for centuries if not longer. Every other language on Earth (that I'm aware of) uses intonation to convey meaning in context and has an alphabet. Japanese basically absorbed all the good elements of Chinese a long time ago... |
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elkarlo
Joined: 08 Dec 2008
Posts: 240
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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| JL wrote: |
| elkarlo wrote: |
| And yes Japan only mnfgs good ACs for export. All the broken and half powered ones are for sale in Japan. I don't see how you don't realize this. Just like Japan exports awesome cars, and uses the left overs for domestic sales |
Apsara,
I do believe the lad is trying to goad you. The slower and more painful you make his comeuppance, the more satisfying it will be for me to watch. |
Oh the heck I am. It is my true belief that Japan only uses factory 2nd ACs in their country. In fact I have heard from a good source that the Japanese will turn off their ACs once they see the local Gaijin is gone. So in reality we see Japanese ACs at their best. The other times(when we're not around) they are turned off. |
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elkarlo
Joined: 08 Dec 2008
Posts: 240
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 1:43 pm Post subject: |
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| SteveStevenson wrote: |
| SteveStevenson wrote: |
I hear not wanting to speak Chinese. I tired for a good while. I am not good at music, which makes the tome simpossible for me. Thoguh I am still going to give it a try. Why? I'm a stubborn jerk, and when i get my mind set on something that's it. |
I just refuse to learn a language that doesn't have an alphabet and hasn't been improved upon for centuries if not longer. Every other language on Earth (that I'm aware of) uses intonation to convey meaning in context and has an alphabet. Japanese basically absorbed all the good elements of Chinese a long time ago... |
Well to be far until recently, the Chinese civ had been in decline for a good 300 years. So of course far less linguistic change will occur, for the better at least. As poetry and great works were not really complied as of late. Which makes Chinese even more backwards looking, as thier golden age was a long while ago. So they see the past as more advanced culturally, and as Chinese civ goes anyhow, oppossed to changes.
I really still don't understand how you can get a point across without using intonations. That never made sense to me.
Lately they actually simplified their kanji. Wish Japan would do that 
To be honest I may give Chinese another chance. Japanese is for fun to me, as I don't think I will be able to go far with having Japanese ability. Seems like that time is a bit over for the most part. I think China has more potential, Vietnam too. I'm going to look into going where my Dad fought in Vietnam this Summer. |
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Apsara
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 2142
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 1:44 pm Post subject: |
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| I just refuse to learn a language that doesn't have an alphabet and hasn't been improved upon for centuries if not longer. Every other language on Earth (that I'm aware of) uses intonation to convey meaning in context and has an alphabet. |
There are plenty of other tonal languages- Thai, Vietnamese, Lao and Burmese come to mind- that might put you off moving to Vietnam then... Thai I believe has far more tones than Mandarin Chinese, which is relatively simple as tonal languages go. Wikipedia tells me that many African languages are also tonal, among others.
As for languages not having been improved on, Icelandic has changed so little in the last thousand years that ordinary Icelandic people can still read and understand sagas written in the 11th century in the original, so apparently little improvement has happened there. I don't think Chinese deserves quite that much vitriol really. At least it only has one reading per kanji, unlike the endless frustrating variations there are for each kanji in Japanese. |
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