Job Discussion Forums

matador · Joined: 07 Mar 2003 Posts: 281

Okay, I had this deal in a classroom the other night with a student when asked why he worked until 11pm most nights said that it was because he was Japanese...

Why do people hide behind their culture to avoid taking personal responsibililty for their lives...?

-Why do you never open the window on the train even if its boiling hot? Its because I am Japanese.

-Why do you suffer in an office with a bullying boss and not leave until 11pm?
Its because I am Japanese.

-Why do you never call in sick (even if you are)?
Its because I am Japanese

Why are you going to suffer with a drinking and cheating husband who takes no interest in your kids for the rest of your life?
Its because I am Japanese.

Reverse the situation:

-Why did you just throw a smoke bomb in my house and punch me?
Its because I am English. We are football hooligans! Sorry, cultural programming!

Who has any other examples of this? It would be great to get a list together.... Very Happy

It would form a great basis for a free conversation group....

Maybe not...

Why is no one discussing this topic and expressing their opinion?
Its because we are Japanese..

Shocked

abufletcher · Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 11:29 am Post subject:

You post assumes that who we "are" can be separated from the learned practices of the culture we claim membership in. If we reconceptualize identity labels such as "Japanese" ( or "American" or "Canadian" or...) not as a static category assigned by circumstances of birth (a "mask we wear and hide behind") but rather as a dynamic (and not always relevant) identity negotiated in the act of living our lives, then your student may be entirely correct. He or she is simply "doing being" Japanese and to do otherwise would provide legitimate grounds for his or her colleagues (and/or boss) to be making certain culturally contexted interpretations of this behavior.

We are only free to act in this world to the extent that we are willing to live with the interpretations others make of our actions.

The other vein that runs through your post is a deeply felt sense that there is (or should) be one universal set of individual rights and that these rights exist irrespective of culture. This comes up often in discussions of women's rights in Saudi Arabia, for example, I don't want to argue here whether this perspective is right or wrong -- but it does seem to me to be a belief more common in "the West" (and particularly the US) than in 90% of the rest of the world.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

This kind of reminds me of the rhetoric you hear on US news programs of "the American people" as though they all think and behave with one voice because they happen to be born within its borders.

the "American people" are a pretty diverse bunch and Im sure there are a lot of people who would not claim to be represented by them when uttered by the president (esp. one in the opposite party) in appeals to patriotism.

Sleeping in late and working all hours as you rightly point out are not peculiarly Japanese things, and many of these things would not have been seen fifty years ago. I often come across people who act in an "un Japanese" way or not characteristic of the majority of people (the usual stereotype: in a group conformist, unthinking) so i wouldnt worry too much if some students simply use it as a copout to cover their arses.

Jizzo T. Clown · Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 2:08 pm Post subject:

SEndrigo · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 437

SEndrigo · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 437

Well....I couldn't help it! Here are a couple for you:

1. When asked about your hobbies, why do you only say "shopping"?

Its because I am Japanese.

2. Why can you not utter a single coherent sentence in English even though you have studied it for six years?

Its because I am Japanese.

3. Why do you confine your wife to the house and avoid her as much as possible, whilst dedicating as much as time as possible to your colleagues and devil incarnate of a boss?

Its because I am Japanese.

4. Why do you take one week off every 25 years, even though you are guaranteed ample holidays each year by law?

Its because I am Japanese.

But, before some of you out there fly into a bloody rage and hurl venomous insults at me, realise that we could create such a list for any group of people, even foreigners! Here are a couple:

1. Why do you not speak a lick of Japanese after having lived here for five years?

Its because I am an Eikaiwa teacher.

2. Why on earth would you work for five years, at a rate of 250,000 yen per month and not have any aspirations to advance?

Its because I am an Eikaiwa teacher.

3. Why do you prefer going to McDonald's when you could eat a much tastier, healthier and sometimes cheaper meal at a Japanese restaurant?

Its because I am an Eikaiwa teacher.

4. Why is the highlight of your week getting a Tuesday off so you can go to Gaspanic?

Its because I am an Eikaiwa teacher.

Laughing

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Synne · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 269 Location: Tohoku

Paulh what a hard hit. Wink

Id have to say thought that the "...becuz Im Japanese." responces have way too many times that very meaning attached to them.

Although the "...becuz Im an eikaiwa teacher." rings true sadly with way too many foreigners in Japan.

One for the road.

Why do you go to the pubs but come home shocked that the girls there didnt pick you?

-Becuz Im an eikaiwa teacher

spidey · Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 6:29 am Post subject:

Why do I dream of the life of an ALT? No evenings, no weekends...

Cuz' I'm an Eikaiwa teacher and I don't know any better.

Sour Grape · Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 241

callmesim · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 279 Location: London, UK

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I don't understand all the animosity. I don't think it's an age gap thing though there may some differences in values which are related to the life stages we sit on. As for the OPs point, it's very culturally subjective. The Japanese kill themselves at work for money to provide their families with stability. If they don't work those ridiculous hours they will find themselves replaceable, and finding a new job in Japan later in life is next to impossible. So the answer, "I'm Japanese" is suitable. Just because you find the answers tedious doesn't make them incorrect.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

callmesim · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 279 Location: London, UK

Oh good. I understand what you mean then and I agree. Attitude is what counts. I'll be honest, I'm going over mainly for the experience itself but I'll take the job seriously. I've heard too many people going over and treating the job itself with contempt. I don't understand why they go over in the first place when they act like that.