Job Discussion Forums

[ravel]

Ah censorship it's good to know this is a place of unfree speech. I tried to make sanitized swear words, but apparently that is "beating the swear filter" like I had some evil subversive plan.

I have been in Japan under two months, in that time I have experienced four overtly racist or prejudiced things. I have been to China, Korea and Thailand and NEVER experienced the racism and prejudice I have in my short time here.

Twice I was refused a gym membership for a small tattoo on my arm...I had to lie and hide it to obtain one.

I was refused help at the "information desk" at Nishinamia Kitaguchi station the guy who was obviously the supervisor kept repeating "no English" as opposed to even trying to help me with what could have been accomplished with a pen and paper.

I went for a haircut at the same station and upon entry I was enthusiastically bombarded with Japanese to the effect of "do you speak Japanese?" Once it was clear that I didn't my attention was redirected with equal enthusiasm to a sign "those who are unable to communicate may be refused service". Too bad what they mean was "those who don't speak Japanese WILL be refused service". (Not the case in China, Thailand, or Korea with or without ability to speak their language I have communicated what I wanted and received it in these countries, why not here?)

So far I have to say this is the most disgustingly racist and unwelcoming country I've even had the misfortune of experiencing.

ESL here is the same joke that it is in Korea...about money, not the students actually learning any USABLE English. It doesn't have to be this way. Two differences first Japan has been at this ESL SCAM longer than Korea, yet the results are equally pathetic. Second, Korea pays way better.

I was basically deceived into a position here by yet another unethical school owner pretending to care about the students, and a year's lease on an apartment. I would leave but I figure I need to at least recover the cost of this bad idea called "teaching esl" in Japan.

I came here hoping the differences in visa laws would mean that the schools would be more accountable to teachers with respect to making teaching the real focus of their business.

Since I can't see any evidence of Japan's ESL industry being anything but an older, worse paying, equally or more unethical version of ESL in China and Korea, I think I have to either make this about money.....ie Korea or leave the industry. I really did want this job to be something that mattered as opposed to a way to make someone else rich while not delivering any usable English.

Does anyone have an inspiring story, encouraging thought, anything to show me why this racist, prejudiced country doesn't suck?

[japanman]

Well, this is indeed a tough one. I came here after living for a year in Bangkok, I came accross some unbelievable racists in Bangkok so I can't quite agree with you if you are comparing it here to Thailand.
There has been many a racism debate on this forum and the conclusions are that it is an unfortunately unescapable and universal thing.
Just try and think that the racist one is the fool, they lost out on your business etc. Easier said than done ofcourse
Just make sure you don't get violent and you should be able to work it out.

[japanman]

I can see this is going to be a long thread.
But in answer to your question, rhetorical though it may be. I live here because I like it. My job is easy, got some good mates and I can pursue my interests freely and happily.

[sidjameson]

I suggest the OP goes back to their home country, gets a skin graft to change his color to black and then finds out what rascism is. Being barred entry for tatoos is common the world over. Finding people unwilling to deal with you because you can't speak the same language is also widespread.

Haven't you moaned about this before?

People in England are killed for being a "Pakki" You weren't helped by a train guard. Not the same thing really, is it?

[dove]

I'm sorry that you are having a rough time of it in Osaka. I don't have a tattoo so I don't know about that situation. About being refused help with a dismissive "No English! No English!"-- that happened to me when I first came here, but I think such behavior is the exception, not the rule. Usually an English speaker has a way of appearing--if not a staff member, then a concerned bystander. Still, it's annoying to experience it. About the haircut incident, I am aware that those places exist, and they p*ss me off, but I go to places that cater to foreigners (yes, I know it's more expensive).
What can I offer you? My partner is Brazilian-Japanese so I have seen worse examples of racism. Yet we both stay (at least for a while longer). We just try to do our jobs and enjoy what is good in Japan to the best of our abilities. We moan about Japan to each other so I guess having a support system is a way to survive. I think that is what you need. You need foreign friends or a Japanese friend who is interested in having a foreign friend Forget about those who are going to say that it is not an "authentic" Japanese experience. I think a lot of the grief people experience here comes from trying to meet the expectations of having a unique Japanese life, all filled with meaningful cultural encounters. I hope you don't put that pressure on yourself.
About your job--English is a business here. Yes, it goes against what education should be. Yes, it might make you a salesman, an entertainer, a conversation facilitator, whatever. But as long as you are getting paid on time and not being screwed over, you just have to deal with it. Do your job the best you can.
I think you need to give Japan more time, whatever you do. Try to find the beauty here. You have to search it out. You have to wake up every morning and just get on with it. Why don't you give yourself credit that you made it here, you found a job in a foreign country....make it out to be glamourous! I bet your friends and family back home think it is. Make that little ramen shop on the way home part of your experience.... Notice just how beautiful neon can be.... Take a picture of a woman in a kimono standing in front of a pachinko parlor
By the way, I wrote this post for me just as much as for you.

[Sage]

The only reason I'm still here is because of my girlfriend. I'm pretty sure I'm going to marry her so I'm staying another year to give me time to ask her and then do all the stuff that needs to get done before returning home to the US with her.

I'm not seeking advice on my decision, however. I am simply stating why I'm still here.

[TK4Lakers]

To the OP,

I'm sorry that you have experienced racism here in this country, and you're not enjoying it compared to other countries. But let me just say, that racism is everywhere. You will not find one country in this world where racism doesn't flow around.
Also, to the store owner's who don't want to deal with non-Japanese speakers, screw them. Yea, you can probably make a political debate over it and also argue how it's very ignorant of them, but I'd rather save my breath. Let them screw themselves over by running of business and customers.

As for me, I choose to stay here because I've got an easy job right now, Japan offers a lot in nature, culture, history, and sightseeing, and I've got some of my own goals in mind which I would like to accomplish before moving back home.

[jademonkey]

[kdynamic]

[markle]

Goddamn it I'm sick of this sh it.

Why doesn't this stuff ever happen to me! What I wouldn't give to be refused, offended, and reviled! I mean all I ever get is bloody genuine polite help, goddamn it.
Take the other day I asked a shop clerk if there was a phone nearby and instead of being told to pi ss off like you would anywhere else in the world, he comes out and helps me look for one. Upon seeing the problem some nosy bugger offers his cellphone for use. Seriously, what does it take to be treated poorly in this country? I try to be the most belligerant a rsehole I can but these people are always so fkng NICE.
You guys have got it good, I tell you. I'd love to have something to REALLY whinge and bi tch about.

[Gypsy Rose Kim]

Ravel, as someone who's worked in Japan and Korea and will be returning to Japan this summer, here's my two cents:

You've made the right choice in going to Japan. Just remember, there is no "8-2-8-2" culture in Japan, so it takes longer to do everything than it does in Korea. This means it also takes longer to start making decent money, and longer to make close friends, and longer to get your bearings.

You quickly discover the things you CAN'T do, but with time you'll discover that Japanese people can be a lot more laid-back than Koreans about a lot of things. For example, there are no ajossis to get bent out of shape cuz you said, "annyeong haseyo" instead of "annyeong hasimnika".

I maxed out on learning and experiencing new things quite quickly in Korea. However, I feel like I could live in Japan for the rest of my life and continue to grow. Not only personally, but also in terms of career, income, etc.

Don't get me wrong. I love Korea. I've just left and I'm a bit heart-broken. But, after the long adjustment period in Japan, it is truly a great place.

Don't expect it to be like Korea. I had a lot of growing pains when I moved to Korea after Japan because things were so different, and everytime something was lacking I thought Korea was inferior. It turned out it certainly wasn't, they are just different.

Not only do you have to change your expectations, but you have to change your mannerisms and stuff. I lived in Japan for years and was well-adjusted, but I changed living in Korea. I was in Tokyo last week, and my friends almost passed out when I put an empty PET bottle on the luggage rack in the subway. That kind of stuff is normal in Seoul, but doesn't fly at all in Japan. I hadn't meant to be rude or obnoxious, I was just used to acting a different way and I'd forgotten what was expected of me in Japan. I was taken aback by how many people said please and thank you and excuse me. I'd just gotten over those niceties because they don't exist much in Korea, and I find that I don't say them enough anymore.

I'm not sure if I'm making sense, I just got off a plane from Korea to Germany, but I want you to hang in there. For what it's worth, it took me six months to feel settled in Japan and more than a year till I was really part of any scene in Tokyo. However, that was six years ago and I've been gone for three and people still remember me and take care of me when I go back. You'll make friends for life there. Just, you know, not as "balli balli" as you're used to.

[Sour Grape]

Although I think there is plenty of racism in this country, I have to support a barber refusing to cut the hair of anyone he can't communicate with. If he wouldn't have discriminated against you if you were able to speak Japanese, I don't see how that is racism.

He probably just wanted to avoid any awkward situation like him misunderstanding what haircut you wanted. Perhaps he's done a crewcut to a gaijin in the past, when the guy actually wanted a perm or something.

Anyway, I wouldn't give too much thought to that incident.

[bshabu]

[Gordon]

[Glenski]