Job Discussion Forums

[TokyoLiz]

I have a sad reason not to say hi to you in the street. You see, the majority of foreigners that I run into are tansient. I'm intending to stay a while. I meet people, get to know them, and then they go home. I've stopped saying goodbye and instead say See you around.

Another thing that makes me sad is the number of foreign people here, mostly English teachers, who don't understand rudimentary Japanese even after a year here . Of course, sometimes it's fun to translate for your new friends, but it gets tedious after a while. The non-Japanese speaking people I've met tend not to understand the cultural cues.

Greeting neighbours and making small talk with strangers is actually a lot of fun in Japan. I frequently talk to people in my neighbourhood. The neighbours tell me about little treasures in the city, all about the cats in our street, how their kids are doing in school. And when I'm out walking, or go to the sento or attend a matsuri or go to the local bar, there are people who are quite welcoming and have something to say. I've met quite a few friends just in passing in the park and at matsuris. I'd say my Japanese and gaijin friends are about 50/50 right now.

So, if I see you in the shotengai, I'll smile or nod my head, but I probably won't say hello. I respect your privacy.

[Nagoyaguy]

[Tonester]

[AgentMulderUK]

[6810]

I interpret culture shcok here to mean the sense of being Alien. That is everything, at least seems, different right down to the subtle nuances of how they do it back home.

And, sliding slightly off topic - it is interesting that most posters on this and other boards are generally temporary immigrants from the first world.

What's my point? That they can always go home. Many immigrants, past and present immigrate for a variety of reasons usually including some pressing/opressive conditions whether it be family, finance, life itself or politics...

First world "sojourners" however, seem to not only have one eye pointed back home but the remainder of that return ticket in the back pocket.

As for saying hi to the other foreigners kickin about here? I do it. Pass me in the street, I'm the dork speaking Japanese who saw you, acknowledged your look and your look away (for whatever reason) and simply got on with living my life.

[AgentMulderUK]

[PAULH]

[Tonester]

Agentmulder,

Culture shock involves being cut off from the cues that are familiar to you. In other words, cut off from the familiarity of the ways of your own country. A lot of people find it hard to cope with things like that. That was what I was referring to.

[Chris12]