Job Discussion Forums

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Sorry Denise. I was quoting from both posts and somehow they got mixed up.

G-string: I know what you mean about idiots trying to force an English conversation onto you. It was only the idea that we are disadvantaged by being native speakers of the most in demand labguage in the world that I objected to.

Luv to you all

The G-stringed Avenger · Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2004 4:30 am Post subject:

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Tonester · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 3:18 am Post subject: Labelling by locals

I will try to present my point of view without it sounding like a rant. Having been in Japan for just over 12 months now and this being my 3rd stint; I do notice that there is an underlying point of view that Japanese people like to label foreign people as a whole. My reason for saying this is when I am asked where I'm from and I tell them that I'm Australian they firstly say "Oh, Aussie beef" and then proceed to ask me "Is meat/bread the staple food in Australia" and whenever I say "No, it isn't. It depends on the individual household. In my household, I did eat toast, bacon and eggs for breakfast on occasions but I cannot say that every Australian does nor did I eat those things every morning. Some people like porridge, some like cereal and some others like just having a few pieces of fruit with some yoghurt." I am then asked "What is the staple food then?" exactly after I've explained that every household is different in terms of their diet. I then find myself having to repeat what I've just said to him/her.

By this I'm not intending to rant but I've just noticed this tendency for labelling. Mind you, at many an izakaya I've been able to gladly answer many questions as it is a part of my job as an ALT but there are so many people who wish to label your country. It just goes to show that there is more international education needed in a place like Japan because it'll help in future to reduce the numbers of people who are bent on labelling your country. Has anyone else here noticed this?

Oh, I almost forgot; I also get assumed to be American quite a lot too just because I'm white (My skin is actually olive but still in the white categories) and whenever I say "I'm not American, I'm Australian" the first thing that pops out of that person's mouth is either "Oh, Ian Thorpe" or "You guys beat us in baseball in Athens" or "Aussie Beef" or "Koalas! Are there a lot of them? Can you eat them? (I must admit; this question is quite innocent so I can't blame them for that one)". I am pleased whenever someone does recognise my country by associating something with it but when it comes down to stereotypical things such as staple foods or an expectation that I will go home in the holidays (the question is always assumptive - "When will you be going home to your country?") it does get a little annoying because those questions are asked by so many people that I should almost give out an FAQ sheet in Japanese once a person starts a conversation with me before they continue to talk with me. Certainly would save a lot of time...... Very Happy

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

leeroy · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 777 Location: London UK

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Tonester · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 1:14 am Post subject:

Leeroy,

You can't eat them! Yes, they are endangered and anyone caught killing a koala would find themsleves before a court quicksmart and heavily fined!

Still, I'd be curious about the taste but because they smell very bad (I was once a tour guide dealing with Japanese people back when I was in Australia and they used to hold them and the smell then was bad enough- now that practice too is on its way to being banned) I'd be put off tasting it if the meat was ever offered to me.