Job Discussion Forums

[JimDunlop2]

Nagoyaguy: Though I agree with you -- I too don't show my alien card without DARN good reason.... Perhaps the motives behind it (as in, showing it in a hotel) stem beyond racism.

I think that it's the "easy way out" and most "brainless" answer any nihonjin can give as well as being in part xenophobic. Just ask for the alien card, photocopy it, and all is well. No need to decypher foreign-sounding names, no need to worry about the fact that they all look alike, no need to TRY and speak English or WORRY whether they speak Japanese.... Just ask for the card and everything's going to be alright!

Most of us can probably relate to how, when you try to speak to a random person in Japan, and they get a look of sheer TERROR on their faces half the time that they have to deal with a foreigner. The "deer-caught-in headlights" look is priceless. Better yet, some people even fear us. Yes, I too have had people lock their car doors when stopped at an intersection as I walk by on the street beside them. Come on, it's obvious. They see you walk down the street, then they make eye-contact, then the power-locks go CLICK....

Heck, once, I did something stupid on my scooter (that involved me getting into the opposite lane with oncoming traffic) the first truck driver to reach me, was all ready to cuss me out.... His window was wide open, his mouth was open -- ready to yell.... Then, as soon as he got close enough to see me properly, he saw I was a "gaijin." His mouth immediately closed, his window rolled back up even faster, the anger from his face drained, and he calmly just passed me by. I laughed so hard after that it hurt. To this day I don't know why he changed his mind about taking out his road-rage. Was it because he got scared? Or was it a sudden realization and resignation to the fact that I likely wouldn't understand his Japanese ranting and raving anyway, so it would be a lost cause to even try.....

Anyway.... /rant