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Cultural expectations

 
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King of Babylon



Joined: 09 Oct 2004
Posts: 24
Location: Brisbane, Australia
PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 9:34 am    Post subject: Cultural expectations Reply with quote
I am wondering what the cultural/behavioural expectations are of the Japanese toward western foreigners in their country. How much are we meant to do as they do, and how much are we meant to 'be ourselves', at the same time? I know it is up to each individual, but is it considered polite to try and assimilate a little into their culture, or are we best to just do as we do normally (as long as we remain inside the law)?

I guess its quite a different situation from the one in which foreigners come to western countries and are expected to assimilate, as Japan is not a nation with too many immigrants.
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Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 8:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Try to assimilate a little and you'll be ok. Learn the language 100% and try dressing in kimonos all the time, and you'll be looked at very suspiciously by Japanese AND foreigners.

There are some foreigners who are fluent in the language and do all right in the entertainment / talent business, but some still find it hard.

You can get away with "being a foreigner" at work in certain situations. Making mistakes with your Japanese skills, for example, or in certain J customs. Skipping out on certain office duties sometimes. That sort of thing. Stay long enough, though, and you will be expected to learn certain things and take part, even if you don't like it.

You will ALWAYS be a foreigner in Japan, no matter how long you live here. Keep that in mind.
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crazyteacher



Joined: 28 Sep 2004
Posts: 34
Location: Tokyo
PostPosted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 12:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Glenski said


"You will ALWAYS be a foreigner in Japan, no matter how long you live here. Keep that in mind."


The image I have of my relationship with Japan is that Japan is a deep murky lake and I am the stone skimming off the surface occasionally making contact.
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PAULH



Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
PostPosted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 4:52 am    Post subject: Re: Cultural expectations Reply with quote
King of Babylon wrote:
I am wondering what the cultural/behavioural expectations are of the Japanese toward western foreigners in their country. How much are we meant to do as they do, and how much are we meant to 'be ourselves', at the same time? I know it is up to each individual, but is it considered polite to try and assimilate a little into their culture, or are we best to just do as we do normally (as long as we remain inside the law)?

I guess its quite a different situation from the one in which foreigners come to western countries and are expected to assimilate, as Japan is not a nation with too many immigrants.



I have lived here 18 years, still get Japanese amazed i can write my name in Kanji or can eat natto, even though I have kids born in this country and have been here almost longer than some of my students.

japanese will treat you as a curiousity they won expect you to become like one of them or completely know all the rules. heck, even most Japanese dont even know all the etiquette and rules of behavior.

Make an effort to fit it, do in Rome as Romans do. Dont go overboard and try and be more Japanese than the Japanese. the other posters are right, you will always be a foreigner and thats how they see you. that doesnt mean you have to play up an be the obnoxious tourist, but be sensitive to people around you. Japanese will cut you a lot of slack, so dont worry too much about not knowing how to behave. there are several things that apply equally to foreigners alike so it may pay to learn them (take off shoes, dont get soap in the bath etc) before you arrive. Its unlikely people will point them out to you.

If you 'go native' people will just think you are odd, even the other foreigners here. Just be yourself and be aware of what is going on around you.
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