Job Discussion Forums

[ibasiram]

Hello all you Japan experts...
I'm thinking about going to Japan, but not for another year because at the moment, I'm having a good time teaching in Poland. While I do take my teaching seriously, I'm young and like to have a good social life too - who doesn't. One of the great things about a different country is the different social life and the chance to meet new people.
The one thing that bothers me a little about Japan is the way I've heard about people being lonely there, and how it's hard to make friends there. Is that true?? All of you in Japan, is it easy or hard to make friends in Japan??
As an aside, I've had no such problems in Poland. i've worked in dofferent parts of the country and have very easily made friends all over the country.
thanks.

[Shonai Ben]

I think it really depends on you.If you are an introvert by nature,then you will probably find it difficult to go out and meet new people.
You sound like you are an extrovert,and are having a fun time in Poland,so I don't think you will have any problems in Japan.
I tend to think that the lonely posters were probably lonely in their home countries.That's just a generalization though.
Anyway,don't worry about it.You can have a lot of fun in Japan.

[PAULH]

I can only speak from my own experience but apart from the fact that you will find most Japanese can not speak good English to have an indepth conversation, and you cant speak Japanese , its pretty hard to get to know people well through the language barrier. Japanese do not really open themselves up to people quickly in the same way that westerners do when first meeting someone. its not shyness but more a form of self protection and being a bit inscrutable. You will have lots of acquaintances and hangers on and people who want to practice English, but I think its hard to meet people you can call real friends that you can entrust your car and your kids with.

A lot depends on what you are looking for of course- its easy to meet different people, go out and have a good time with work mates etc and have lots of acquaintances, even girlfriends etc but also the foreign teaching population tends to be fairly transient, people come and go, they quit their jobs, which is another reason that Japanese dont open themselves up to foreigners so easily.