Job Discussion Forums

[englishtutor1378]

Just decided to start a post here and curious to here any other foreigners' experiences concerning this ongoing issue know as the "Gaijin Complex".

Basically, Gaijin is a Japanese word meaning "foreigner", "non-Japanese", or "alien". The word is composed of two kanji: gai, meaning "outside"; and jin , meaning "person". Thus, the word literally means "outside person". The word can refer to nationality, race, or ethnicity. Some modern commentators feel that the word is now primarily negative or derogatory in connotation and thus offensive. Other observers indicate that the word can also be used neutrally or even as a compliment. The term has become politically incorrect and is avoided now by most Japanese television broadcasters. The uncontroversial gaikokujin "foreign-country person", is commonly used instead.

As we all know, there are benefits and down falls being a foreigner. Anyone care to share some of their experiences and stories?

For example, I have gotten away with speeding because back thenI held an international license and completely did not speak any Japanese when I first got here. Frankly, I think that cop just didn't want to bother with me. Yet, I sometimes I am disallowed to enter some little tiny bars that cater to "Japanese only"..... (water off a ducks back if you ask me).

Anyone care to share their years of experiences here????

[Bread]

Does anybody else often find themselves being next to the only empty seat left on the train? I don't think I stink...

[seklarwia]

[LITTLE PEACHES]

i haven't had the empty seat, but as a girl....i am CONSTANTLY starred at. I'm learning that it's normal and to not mind it. I love going grocery shopping because they just watch me pick out my groceries. It's sooooo akward, but i'm getting used to it now.

[Sadebugo]

I worked in Japan two years ago and found it a refresing change from Korea. It is much better to be a 'gaijin' in Japan than a 'waeguk-saram' in Korea! Believe me!

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

[Glenski]

[Apsara]

Guys get stared at in Japan too, Little Peaches. I don't live too far away from you, and I'm female but rarely notice staring- quick glances perhaps occasionally.

I hear that well-endowed women tend to get more looks from men, but a) I wouldn't know and b) I hear that kind of thing is not limited to Japan.

[seklarwia]

[SoulCal]

Ive had multiple experiences of both good and bad due to being a foreigner.

Good:

1. Sometimes I could bypass strict procedures from some places of business due to the communication barrier and the Japanese staff not wanting to deal with the burden.

2. Certainly helped with the Japanese ladies, as many are curious or attracted to foreign men.

3. Sometimes I could get free drinks at clubs, it was rare, and it was always when I was with white foreigners.

4. Sometimes service was better because the Japanese people who were helping me were interested in my background and wanted to have a conversation.

5. Some people would really go out of their way to help me (ex. walking me to a place i was trying to find, using a public phone etc.)

Bad:

1. I used to get pinpointed at my gym for really petty crap, and I noticed that the staff would never enforce the same policies on the Japanese members.

2. Not being allowed entry into certain dance clubs, unless I had a female with me. However, this rule didnt apply to Japanese males.

3. Getting stared at on trains a lot, as well as constantly having the seats next to me be the last ones taken. Although, having extra space on the trains is nice, so its more positive if u think of it in a practical way . But, I had multiple situations where Id sit next to a Japanese person on the train, and they would get up and walk to the next car, then sit down :/.

4. On several occasions, people would ignore me if I tried to ask them for help (in Japanese), and during the times that people did help, I could usually see a visible discomfort with them by their behavior/facial expressions.

5. On trash days, people in my neighborhood would automatically assume I was the one who placed the trash out on the street way before its time for pickup, and as a result, they would nag at me or point their fingers at me if they saw me walking down the street.

[move]

The staring used to really, really get to me. I think that's why you see plenty of foreigners in the train with hats, sunglasses, headphones, etc. Now I'm a little more used to it now. I think also being out of Tokyo, people seem, oh, I won't say friendly, but definitely more approachable and nicer. In Tokyo it's like, who is this and what are they doing in my train?!

[mitsui]

yeah, I agree.
I thought people in Tokyo would be more progressive, but they aren`t.

My wife says that I get stared at because I am bald, but when I wear a hat, I still get stared at. Usually males stare.

[cornishmuppet]

I went out in Osaka last week to a Visual Kei concert with an American mate who insisted we dress up in Goth gear. I looked like a cross between Ozzy Osborne and Michael Jackson and what surprised me was just how few people stared at us. I noticed a couple of of sniggers and shared a couple of smiles but for the majority of people it felt like two gaijin obviously wearing wigs and wandering about the streets of Umeda were a regular sight.

We did get told off by one stern old git on the way home though - on a nearly empty train my friend had one leg crossed over the other and this guy decided to prod it and shout 'mana!' (manner) several times, ignoring nearby Japanese people who were doing the same thing. Us foreigners don't know the rules, you see...

[basilbrush]

Is it rude to cross your legs on the train here?

[gaijinalways]

If the train is crowded, yes, but otherwise, no. Not nowadays anyway.

[Cool Teacher]