Japanese tourists: Western point of view

[Danielita]

Hello!
I need to collect some material for my thesis and I was hoping to find some help in this nice forum :)
Anybody here who is working/worked with Japanese tourists (in hotels, restaurants, shops, etc) outside Japan?
You should not be from any Asian culture… no racism here, I’m just analizying the Western point of view towards Japanese tourists :)
If you would like to help me, please base your answers on what you can prove by your experience, not on your knowledge derived from other sources.
General:
• What is your position at work?
• How do you interact with Japanese tourists?
• What is your general view of tourists’ behaviour?
• Do you have services offered specifically to Japanese tourists?
• Do you behave differently with Japanese tourists – knowing they’re used to a different kind of service in their country?
• Typical/particular behaviour?
• How would you describe the Japanese travellers? (age, sex, social status, etc)
• Any particular problem with them? Complaints?
• How is their purchasing behaviour? (how quick they decide, what do they buy, how much they spend)
• Any misunderstandings in the use of “yes”? Do you have any Japanese speaking workers?
• How do Japanese tourists behave when it’s about rules? Do they value more rules or relationships?
• How do they relate to others? Do they care about group’s interests of just individual interests? Do they relate to others by discovering what each one of them individually wants and then trying to negotiate the difference, or do they place ahead of this some shared concept of the public and collective good?
• Do they show their emotions? How?
• At what extent somebody’s reputation leaks into other areas of life? For example, if you see a group of tourists, can you tell somebody has a higher position at work than others? Is the manager of a company looked up too even outside the work environment?
• While some societies accord status to people on the basis of their achievements, others ascribe it to them by virtue of age, class, gender, education, and so on. Can you tell what the Japanese case is, based on your experience with Japanese tourist?
• Do the tourists have a leader? Is it possible to view inequality among the tourists?
• How do Japanese travellers behave? Are they individualists or more group oriented?
Sorry for the long post! Thank you in advance to all those willing to help :)
Dani

[Danielita]

Thank you for all those who helped me. You're just amazing! :)

[caster51]

The World's Best Tourists, Ranking From Best to Worst, 2008

1. Japanese

2. German/British (tie) (The Germans were considered the tidiest of all nationalities.)

3. Canadian (The most popular tourists in their own country were the Canadians as well.)

4. Swiss

5. Dutch

6. Australian/Swedish (tie)

7. Belgian

8. Norwegian

9. Austrian/Danish/Finnish (tie)

10. New Zealanders (Kiwi)

11. U.S. American/Thai (tie)

12. Irish/Czech/South African/Portugese (tie)

13. Brazilian

14. Italian/Greek/Polish (tie)

15. Turkish

16. Spanish

17. Mexican

18. Russian

19. French ...The French didn't do too well, coming in, as you can see at 19th. They were seen as the most “fiscally conservative,” presumably when it comes to such matters as tipping.

20. Indian

21. Chinese

http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2008/06/survey_hoteliers_pick_the_worl.html

They will not spend much money...
They will not positively exchange the culture there.

Why is the Japanese traveler liked from the hotel?
I think there is a hint that Japanerse estate agency does not want to lent...

[AroundTheWorld]

• I worked as a shift manager at a Ben & Jerry's (ice cream shop) on International Drive, one of the largest tourist hotspots in Orlando and just miles from Disney and the other theme parks.
• I prepared ice cream, and also gave directions (in limited Japanese).
• I hate tourists, normally. Especially American tourists in America. But its a double sided sword, because Florida is one of the biggest tourist locations and it keeps our economy afloat.
• No, not specifically, although this was about six months ago and my Japanese was not so good, on the occaisions where I could slip in some Japanese language to try and help them make decisions or understand better, I would.
• Probably not, I always act polite at work, but I assume they thought I was being more polite due to the fact that I had some knowledge of Japanese culture.
• It would be hard to answer typical behavior because I had three Japanese women, a couple, and six male Japanese college students come into my store. The couple complimented me on my Japanese, the students seemed very laid back to speak to me, and the three women asked for directions and were shocked when I responded in Japanese.
• Answered this question above.
• No real problems or complaints. More polite than the typical American tourist, but maybe that was because I spoke basic Japanese.

Hope all that helps. I answered to the best of my ability.

[Dutch Baka]

my 2 cents.

• How would you describe the Japanese travellers? (age, sex, social status, etc)
Most of them are over 50 especially when traveling in groups, when you do see younger Japanese tourist they are mainly with 2-4 persons. Social status... well, I think most of them have enough money to do a 2 weeks tour in Europe.


• Any particular problem with them? Complaints?
The are shooting to many photo's.


• Do the tourists have a leader? Is it possible to view inequality among the tourists?
You mean the tour guide?

• How do Japanese travellers behave? Are they individualists or more group oriented?
Read above

[aoc gold]

That's wonderful you have listed .It gives me much helps .Thank you very much .