I find Japanese youth culture somewhat "backward"...

[TheKillerMonkey]

What I've found with Japanese youth culture is that to be "cool" you have to fit in a wear what is "cool" at that current time, if you don't were what's currently "in" you're pretty much a complete loser. In most other countries (US, Canada, UK, European countries), it's considered "cool" if you dress in something no-one has ever seen before, something new and original - do that in Japan and you're likely to have the piss taken out of you badly and are most probably a fairly lonely person who wonders around on their own.

So yeah, I think the Japanese youth culture is pretty primative.

[Han Chan]

I think you are so wrong! I think the youth cultures you observe in the streets of Tokyo are very creative indeed. Because the young people here are so creative and willing to experiment with new and extreme fashion and styles forign designers are frequently visiting Shibuya and Harajuku to get inspiration.

[Glenn]

I find that in the US, at least, if you don't conform to what other people think is cool then you're an outcast, much like what you're saying about the Japanese way of thought. In that regard I don't see it as being primitive at all, but universal.

I find it hard to believe that original thought is really seen as being cool in most cultures. As far as I know, it's the most criticized.

[nurizeko]

Nothing unique about western youth culture, its all about fitting in.

[TheKillerMonkey]

On second thought, I completely go back on what I said. Although, in Western culture people rant and rave about how everyone should be original, when someone finally is original, they're outcasted and made fun of.

[Elizabeth]

What I've found with Japanese youth culture is that to be "cool" you have to fit in a wear what is "cool" at that current time
There are obviously places and subcultures in Western countries, even maybe more in Japan, where this is very true. Others where original, nonconformists stand together and show themselves off, like a few blocks and public squares around Harajuku, Shibuya, etc. I'm still wondering though how you say you "found" this to be the case to begin with ? By seeing the country first-hand ? Talking to these loners directly ? Reports from people that have visited ? :?

[yukio_michael]

I'm still wondering though how you say you "found" this to be the case to begin with ? By seeing the country first-hand ? Talking to these loners directly ? Reports from people that have visited ? :?What she said.

[Tollen]

yeah thats not just "japan" or "the west" its pretty much humans in general

no matter where you are if you dont fit it in one way or another then you'll get funny looks or snide remarks or maybe a lack of friends but either way its all what you make of it... you can go out to be more like everybody else than everybody else but in the end if you're not yourself whats the point... anyways yeah i've completely forgotten what i was meant to be saying... im sure it was a good point though ^_^

[Meiki]

What ''west''
I only see two countries
countries are all majorly influenced by AMERICA and the UK. in terms of youthculture.
and yes, Japan too. though not many people know about it.
American fashiondesigners are looking in Tokyo for inspiration.

[GroglovesJapan]

I went to Harajuku a few times and the style they have across there is amazing! they totally go for it and it really works!

[Nana007]

A good bit of Harajuku fashion is cosplayers, although some of it is unique. And yea its pretty much universal that you have to have to wear a certain brand or dress a certain way to be cool. The only thing that makes Japanese fashions seem unique is that its a bit "out there" compared to Western fashion.

[Kinsao]

Iin Western culture people rant and rave about how everyone should be original, when someone finally is original, they're outcasted and made fun of.
Others where original, nonconformists stand together and show themselves off,
There is a kind of balance. It's human instinct partly to want to "fit in with the crowd", for the reason of safety (person on their own is more likely to get into danger, get targeted by predators, etc., so it pays to be physically with a group, for which you have to get "accepted"), this is an old, deep instinct of the human animal. At the same time, it is beneficial for the human race to have original thinkers and those who do stand out, because that is how new and successful ideas are developed, with imagination and innovation (if no one would do this, how long it would take for us to make progress!).

So what tends to happen is that people are "different in groups" - exactly what Elizabeth describes happening in Harajuku and in situations like that. Kate Fox describes it in relation to goths in her book "Watching the English", illustrated with some quotations from interviews. It's a way of being able to exercise the creative side of your brain without having to put yourself in danger and become "outcast". :relief:

Of course, there are some true originals who become "outcast" (mad geniuses, or sometimes just people who are genuinely crazy!), but often this stems from a secondary cause that attached itself to them through their root sub-culture group; a drug or alcohol problem for example.

[Minty]

I find that in the US, at least, if you don't conform to what other people think is cool then you're an outcast, much like what you're saying about the Japanese way of thought. In that regard I don't see it as being primitive at all, but universal.
I find it hard to believe that original thought is really seen as being cool in most cultures. As far as I know, it's the most criticized.

I actually hate wearing "uniform", I like the unique style, here in Europe when
I see people in town young or old they all dress differently. I like this.

When I was living in Australia people like to dress the same in groups, it is the same for Asians and whites. Asians especially like to copy each other. When I bought something, the next few weeks I see Asian people wearing the same clothes I bought. Apparently the white Aussies also do that but they copy whites.

[Reiku]

What I've found with Japanese youth culture is that to be "cool" you have to fit in a wear what is "cool" at that current time, if you don't were what's currently "in" you're pretty much a complete loser. In most other countries (US, Canada, UK, European countries), it's considered "cool" if you dress in something no-one has ever seen before, something new and original - do that in Japan and you're likely to have the piss taken out of you badly and are most probably a fairly lonely person who wonders around on their own.
So yeah, I think the Japanese youth culture is pretty primative.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but what you are describing is pretty much every youth culture the world over. While one person being origional can be considered "cool", it's only if the mindless masses of people choose to imitate them. Then if you don't copy the "origional" style of this person, you get crap from group.

Welcome to pack animal social dynamics at their simplest. It's not Japanese youth culture that's primitive--it's all humanity. :blush: