Is it true that the Japanese don't really like foreigners?

[Harisenbon]

What I meant by it was that many Japanese have a goal (some people even bordering on obsession) to practice English, and you are as useful as a tool as any other.

I'd hate to think that most people were willing to talk to me simply because I was a tool to teach them english. It's a bit to cynical/depressing for me.

Most of my friends actually cannot speak english, and almost all of them have no interest in learning.

Like Oyaji (and others) said. There are a lot of people in Japan, and making broad generalizations only helps to further your own prejudice.

Or some such.

[Mike Cash]

magma wrote:
Or perhaps he's implying that foreigners attempting to "fit in" to Japanese society are really just banging their heads against the walls.

Those are the foreigners who think that "fitting in" means out-Japanesing the Japanese. Those people tend to be annoying, both to the Japanese and to their fellow foreigners.

It is perfectly possible to fit in quite nicely while remaining your normal gaijin self.

[Ratzenheich]

@ Ren

Umm... you can't just say that the Japanese people as a whole like foreigners or dislike them. A number of them may like meeting foreigners for certain reasons which maybe learning a new language, sharing experiences with other people from other countries, etc. Some of them may dislike them. You can't just use deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning here. It all depends on the people you encounter.

[two_heads_talking]

the problem with generalized posts is that generally, the generalization is so general that there will be no concensus or agreement by anyone. Be more specific with your original question and you will find your target audience a bit more willing to be helpful.

(just my soapbox rant of the day)

[Mike Cash]

two_heads_talking wrote:
the problem with generalized posts is that generally, the generalization is so general that there will be no consensus or agreement by anyone.

I think we can all agree on that. Perhaps a poll is in order?

[Chris Hart]

Mike Cash wrote:

two_heads_talking wrote:
the problem with generalized posts is that generally, the generalization is so general that there will be no consensus or agreement by anyone.

I think we can all agree on that. Perhaps a poll is in order?

Generally, I might think that the question may be to general for a poll.


(Vagueness intentionally added)

Edit: Forgot the smiley.

[Infidel]

I think mike was joking

[paul_b]

Infidel wrote:
I think mike was joking

He couldn't possibly have been. He didn't use a smiley.

[Sakana_12345]

Infidel wrote:

Ezrach wrote:
Do you hate hammers?

Give it a minute and let it sink in. I promise you will not be disappointed.

If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the morning,.......

I'd hammer in the evening, all over this land... B)

[Mike Cash]

paul_b wrote:

Infidel wrote:
I think mike was joking

He couldn't possibly have been. He didn't use a smiley.

Thank you for reminding me to add:
http://www.thejapanesepage.com/images/smiley*

to my Adblock filters........

There. That's much better!

[keatonatron]

Mike Cash wrote:

paul_b wrote:

Infidel wrote:
I think mike was joking

He couldn't possibly have been. He didn't use a smiley.

Thank you for reminding me to add:
http://www.thejapanesepage.com/images/smiley*

to my Adblock filters........

There. That's much better!

:D :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p

[punkgrl326]

Sakana_12345 wrote:

Infidel wrote:

Ezrach wrote:
Do you hate hammers?

Give it a minute and let it sink in. I promise you will not be disappointed.

If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the morning,.......

I'd hammer in the evening, all over this land... B)

I'd hammer out danger, I'd hammer out a warning.... B)

[kohyin]

What an interesting thread!

"two_heads-talking" seemes to hit the point in a sense that there won't be a concensus on this subject.

I enjoy reading different opinions. If there was only one absolute answer, the world would be a rather boring place...

I believe (in MY opinion) a good discussion subject is the one that gives our lazy brain some work-outs.

Back in Japan, I used to be in a translation and interpretation industry and used to know lots of "外人" who were in the same industry. Some of these 外人 felt that their Japanese friends kept some distance, and it was hard for these 外人 to feel accepted as true friends. I believed and used to tell them that it is nothing personal, but cultural difference. I cannot speak for the Japanese today, but the Japanese then used to respect personal boundaries even among Japanese themselves. So, if 外人 felt as though they were not totally accepted by their Japanese friends, it might not be because he was a 外人. As an outgoing young (then) woman, I actually used to feel the similar frustrations living in a Japanese society.

Then there was the time when I was chatting with my Japanese firends in a Roppongi bar, a 外人 man came up to me and started talking to me as if I were his old friend. Being interrupted the conversation with my friends, I gave him a stern look. Then he said, "why are you so unhappy?" My response was "why do you think?!" Wasn't it obvious that I didn't appreciate the sudden interruption and his arrogance in assuming that I should drop the conversation with my friend just because he decided to talk to me? I have seen many Japanese young girls shyly smile when approached by 外人 men not withstanding whether they felt disturbed or not. Many of us girls were taught to be submissive and not to offend men throughout our life (then). Would he be met by a smile if he treated a lady in his own country like　that? I doubt it.

I hope this doesn't come across as a 外人 men bashing. The point I would like to make is that if you would like others to like you, it is important to show your respect and be friendly no matter which culture it is.

[keatonatron]

kohyin wrote:
... used to know lots of "Kaijins" ....if Gaigin's felt.... he was a Gaijin.....

I am so confused right now.

What's a Kaijin? Who is Gaigin and what is his felt?

...when approached by Gaijin men

I feel ashamed to be part of the Gaijin race. Maybe we should all just go back to Gaijinia, because it's just not working for us to be here.

EDIT: I don't want anyone to think this is a personal attack, I just hate the use of the word gaijin as if it were English, and capitalizing it only makes it worse. What's wrong with "foreigner"?

[Kagemaru]

kohyin wrote:
I was chatting with my Japanese firends in a Roppongi bar

Wow! a Roppongi bar eh?.... that's creditable source.

keatonatron wrote:
What's wrong with "foreigner"?

Renewing my visa last week required me to present my alien registration proof. After unbuttoning my shirt and showing the clerk my 16 nipples, it didn't seem enough, so I handed her my 外人登録証 instead.

Is it true that Japanese don't really like foreigners?

I tend to put it this way; If I was Japanese, would I dislike foreigners who spend years in Japan, speak next to no Japanese, marry Japanese women for visa's and use them to wipe their little touchies and treat Japan like a playground?

My answer would be yes....

On the other hand..

If by making a solid attempt to connect(speak Japanese), show Japanese people you have a genuine interest in Japan(without trying to outdo them, as Mike puts it)they should communicate with you. This doesn't go for every situation, only by my unprofessional opinion.

Short example;

I have been going the local 銭湯 every week for the last 10 months. For the first three months, I just couldn't understand why no-one spoke to me. I used to take it very personally.
One day, I decided to say something to a crowd of the regular old boys. Low and behold "Houston, we have contact"
Since then, it's been one of the most enriching experiences on multiple levels.

Of course I have had my fair share of questionable moments, hardly to be compared to the amount of good times spent here.

Is it true that the Japanese don't really like foreigners?

By me, the answer is "NO"