What or who is typical Japanese?

[Elizabeth van Kampen]

The British have a that typical sense of humor
The French have a savoir-vivre
The Germans are perfectionists
The Chinese are world's businessmen
The Americans do everything bigger and better

And so on...

But what is typical Japanese?

[MadamePapillon]

Well, if we're going for a popular stereotype...techno geeks???

[epigene]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth van Kampen

The British have a that typical sense of humor
The French have a savoir-vivre
The Germans are perfectionists
The Chinese are world's businessmen
The Americans do everything bigger and better
And so on...
But what is typical Japanese?

It's hard to say because demographics in Japanese population is shifting and values are diversifying, with more people having different values and perceptions, ranging from those seeking personal self-fulfillment away from the corporate world and from old social conventions to those adhering to traditional values and everyone else falling in between.

Still, one thing that comes up to mind may be that many Japanese are "workaholics" even today.

[hplaserjet6p]

gentle, caring and shy

[Geostigma]

I've heard from a few sources that being totally devoted to one's job is quite a common thing in Japan.

[undrentide]

Hmm, it's a difficult question.

... "Taking things too seriously?"

[Elizabeth van Kampen]

I also thought about the polite way of bowing for each other. I guess that is something typical Japanese? But maybe are there other peoples bowing for each other?

[epigene]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth van Kampen

I also thought about the polite way of bowing for each other. I guess that is something typical Japanese? But maybe are there other peoples bowing for each other?

Although the Japanese don't bow as often as many foreigners think we do, it seems the Japanese rank high in terms of general politeness!

ExpediaUK Global Survey of Hoteliers

Disclaimer: I have no extensive personal knowledge of behavior by tourists from European countries!!

[Elizabeth]

Conservative, ashamed of the smallest mistakes (your own and others...)
Maybe it goes along with "Perfectionists," Japanese style. They're not anything like the Germans.

gentle, caring and shy

That too, though...

[Mars Man]

I agree that this is a difficult question/matter. One thing I have noticed over the years here, is the tendency (and if it is more than other nationalities, I am not so sure, but surely more so than the USA--at least as I left it) to look at 'how it's done' more so than at 'what is done'--in many matters.

[Mike Cash]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth van Kampen

The British have a that typical sense of humor
The French have a savoir-vivre
The Germans are perfectionists
The Chinese are world's businessmen
The Americans do everything bigger and better
And so on...

Ah....the old joke:

In heaven,
The comedians are British
The mechanics are German and
The lovers are French

In hell,
The lovers are British
The comedians are German and
The mechanics are French

[Elizabeth van Kampen]

To epigene

Although the Japanese don't bow as often as many foreigners think we do, it seems the Japanese rank high in terms of general politeness!

Yes I also see it as politeness and respect.
As for the Europeans, we shake hands. Or when we know each other wel we kiss each other on the cheeks.
I prefer shakink hands.

[nanook]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth van Kampen

The Americans do everything bigger and better

And the Japanese make everything smaller and cuter?

[Elizabeth van Kampen]

And the Japanese make everything smaller and cuter?

Who knows? But that is not typical Japanese I guess.

[MadamePapillon]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth van Kampen

Who knows? But that is not typical Japanese I guess.

Maybe it could be. After all, cute is huge in Japan..almost to the point of being scary.

[bakaKanadajin]

This is a difficult question for most of us to answer.. most people here have lived there, currently live there, or through family/friends/marriage have an above average level of exposure to true Japanese culture.

That being said, my adolescent highschool geography class knee-jerk reaction when I hear 'the Japanese' is: polite and efficient.

Those two words can be broken down and applied to X number of Japanese cultural offerings, and in some cases disproven as well. On the surface though, I think this is the total sum effect; this is how they come across to the average person whether they want to or not.

[centrajapan]

Americans talk loudly. They dont talk but semi shout. They like to talk loud. Japanese dont talk as loud. Norwegians only talk loud if they have been drinking. Japanese too unless both are angry. Americans are more nationalistic. They think they are better, bigger. Because in their education system they are brought up as in spoon fed thinking US is the best country in the world where as Jpaanese dont think that highly of their country until someone criticizes them where as Americans/Canadians go around thinking they come from the best country in the world even before you criticize them.

They will start ranting on about multi culturarism when they have 50% of the native people caged and locked up telling Jpaan to be more open.

[bakaKanadajin]

Originally Posted by centrajapan

Americans talk loudly. They dont talk but semi shout. They like to talk loud. Japanese dont talk as loud. Norwegians only talk loud if they have been drinking. Japanese too unless both are angry. Americans are more nationalistic. They think they are better, bigger. Because in their education system they are brought up as in spoon fed thinking US is the best country in the world where as Jpaanese dont think that highly of their country until someone criticizes them where as Americans/Canadians go around thinking they come from the best country in the world even before you criticize them.

They will start ranting on about multi culturarism when they have 50% of the native people caged and locked up telling Jpaan to be more open.

Half of what you said here has absolutely nothing to do with the original discussion on what characteristics denote 'typical Japanese' people. The other half is unfounded North America-bashing babble. Your intellectual capacity and overall reason for being here is quickly becoming apparent.

[centrajapan]

I am coming with my angle. My reality. Thank you for coming with your personal conclusion on my personal intellect.

Typical Japanese dont talk as loud as Americans/Canadians and are less natioalistic. That is infact a stereotyppical conclusion which I have made due to my personal empiric encounters. Besides, by getting personal on me questioning my intellect is thus proving my point.

[~Dei~]

Segata Sanshiro is the perfect example of a typical Japanese person.

[Homerduff]

First mayor feature of a Japanese middle aged man that flashed in my mind is absolutely the very intensive work-mentality most of them have.

[maushan3]

Typical Japanese people, from what I have seen, work a lot, something which I have a lot of respect. High school students studying and putting their academic and club activities as priorities is something new to me.

They also are Obsessed with Capital Letters, with their image. I don't blame them. In a society where silence is everything, they just feel like they have to somehow stand out.

Mauricio

[Astroboy]

Just My thoughts:

- Typical Japanese put down himself.
- Typical Korean put down Japanese
- Typical Chinese put down Japanese and Korean.

[Astroboy]

Just my jokes:

A large passenger boat sank, and passengers of various nationality are rescued by life boat. But more passengers floating in water demand helps. Then Capitain of the boat tells men in the boat:

- To American guy: "You can become a hero if you dive"
- To Englishman: "You must be a gentleman"
- To German guy: "Diving is the rule"
- To Japanese guy: "Everybody already dived"
- To China man: "Many delicious fish in water"

However, when the capitain look at Korean, somebody advises "Better not tell him because he will demand compensation later".

[Annubis]

Japan - Peace and humility