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gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

The funny thing is the 'tourists' in Tokyo live here! Laughing

natsume · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 409 Location: Chongqing, China

I had a similar experience regarding NYC. I'm a native Californian, and found in my two trips to New York, that in general, people were refreshingly pleasant, and anything but rude, for the most part. Also, there is a certain honesty there that is actually lacking in California. If someone either likes or dislikes you in NYC, you will know. In California, there is a mandate to be "nice", but the sentiment behind it can be very hard to read.

southofreality · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Tokyo

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Not sure why that would be so. In Japan, people often don't tell you directly what they feel, it would be similar to natsume's opinion of CA, where it is not clear sometimes who your friends and enemies are (or even who the more helpful or not helpful acquaintances are, though you can sometimes sort that out Cool

).

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

I think you may have misunderstood natsume's meaning. In Japan, people will rarely tell you how they really feel about you, and thus you'll end up like in CA, guessing as to whether someone is your ally or not.

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:47 pm Post subject:

southofreality · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Tokyo

Thanks, Furious. Wink

natsume · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 409 Location: Chongqing, China

I got south's bitter irony. I'm fully prepared for Japan to give me a longer than average honeymoon period, followed by my eventual, slow, and inevitable understanding of the dark underbelly of the "real" Japan.

Or, maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised...

southofreality · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Tokyo

vashdown2 · Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 124 Location: Paris, France

People don't know that the weather is awful in Paris- dark skies, grey,etc.. for most of year.

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

Really? That wasn't my experience at all when I lived in Paris, had more than a few beautiful sunny days in the middle of winter. It was certainly a lot more pleasant than other slightly more northerly cities like London. Summer was gorgeous.

As for preconceptions, before I came to Japan I had expected to feel really tall but in general I really don't.

Everyone that I told I was coming here warned me I would have a lot of difficulty with food since I don't eat seafood and am not particularly fond of rice but 6 months on I am still having no trouble.

PT

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Sorry SofR, thought you were one of the misled 'Japanophiles' in disguise. Also sorry for the double post, some page loading problem.

Mchristophermsw · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 228

The classic response when I was in Trinidad and Tobago was "do they have streets and lights there? GOD, I was offended at first then thought silently, Americans can be so nationcerntric HA HA LOL!

But for the average person it is not there fault we have a goverment that has and advertising model that wants every one to believe that the USA is the only game in town and everyone else everywhere are living hand to mouth and spend thier lives dreaming about coming here.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Under which government Razz

did you learn this? I never had that impression, though violent crime is sometimes reported there. But then again, it is often reported in the US as well Confused

.

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:58 pm Post subject:

Misconception about where I'm from:

In a bar in Japan someone asks me where I was from:

Me: "England"
Barfly: "What language do they speak there?"
Me: "English"
Barfly: (Astonished) "Really, they speak English in England? I thought they spoke French."