How do the Japanese truley feal about U.S and others.

[Wakaranai]

How do the Japanese really feal about U.S. citizens visiting and living in their country? From what I have read and heard is that the Japanese likes foreginers but at the same time they don't. I want to konw what the "truth" is.

Also I have heard that It is safe for U.S citizens and other foreginers to live in Japan. If it is safe what is all of the talk about? I know that is if Very very very hard to find a place to live in Japan if you are a foreginer.

[Arc Light]

Well, I'd like to think that Americans are welcome in Japan as tourists, or even as citizens. I mean...I enjoy meeting Japanese tourists here, and I'm slowly getting to know the Japanese community in my area. Granted though...Japanese tourists are completely different than the typical tourists we get around here. Everyone has their own opinions, but I'd hope that the feeling was mutual when visiting countries.

[mad pierrot]

Japanese people usually eat foreigners with a little sauce and some rice.

[PaulTB]

Originally Posted by mad pierrot

Japanese people usually eat foreigners with a little sauce and some rice.

But only if they are very lucky.
Seriously though don't try this with wasabi!









... /me runs away and hides.

[Brooker]

I've heard stories that mobs of Japanese salarymen, housewives, and high school girls will sometimes attack and devour any tourist they see on sight after staring at them and whispering secrets about how big their eyes are. I've also heard that no Japanese person would ever date or marry a foreigner because Japanese people are only interested in other Japanese people. While I was in Japan I was constantly looking over my shoulder for large groups of wasabi and chopsick wielding maniacs. Whatever you do, don't go to Japan unless you want to end up as gaijin sashimi in a neatly packaged bento box.

[canadian_kor]

Originally Posted by PaulTB

But only if they are very lucky.

LOL! Man, you can twist almost any thread to lead to subjects like this.

[Sinspawne]

don't laugh so i can hear it now

I've seen in many animes that japanese people avoid talking to english speaking tourists.

Is there a grain of truth in that or is it just for fun
if it is true, then is it because english is difficult for japanese people since the languages are so different?

[Sinspawne]

lol now that i look on it.. the question was kinda stupid.
just ignore that one

[TwistedMac]

if i were eaten by a japanese schoolkid as a bento, wouldn't that place me in the body of a buddhist, which would give me a sort of body-mind merging thus reincarnating me as a japanese guy... prolly a superstar... that would rule...

...

i'm going to japan, where are there a large quantity of those chopstick wielding fellas?

[quakerman360]

well regarding about japaneses not speaking english to foreingers that is common according to my friend who is a japanese exchange student. He says that most japanese will avoind foreigneres becaseu they cant speak good english. He says that in japan school system they learn how to read and write englihs but not speak it so they are not good at speaking it. He says tht they will sometims try to speak japanese english which is bad english that americasn cant hardly understand but that japanese can understand.

[Suki-Yaki]

In what anime did you see that, sinspawne ?? Give me names.

[Flashjeff]

Originally Posted by Suki-Yaki

In what anime did you see that, sinspawne ?? Give me names.

Well, I seem to remember an episode of Azumanga Daioh where Yukari avoided chatting with a foreigner, or maybe it was one of her loopy students. I can't rightly recall.

[gokarosama]

A straight answer: Do Japanese like foreigners?

It depends.

[Dekamaster]

Originally Posted by gokarosama

A straight answer: Do Japanese like foreigners?

It depends.

I think the most accurate answer to any question is that

[GrunditZ-kun]

Originally Posted by TwistedMac

if i were eaten by a japanese schoolkid as a bento, wouldn't that place me in the body of a buddhist, which would give me a sort of body-mind merging thus reincarnating me as a japanese guy... prolly a superstar... that would rule...

...

i'm going to japan, where are there a large quantity of those chopstick wielding fellas?

im with you mate ^^

when are you going to Japan?

[BlackGirls_are_nice2]

I hear that if you are a nice and respectful person, then you will be liked. Disrespectful people are not well liked anywhere.
Also, I read that if you are a foreigner that can speak Japanese almost fluently (Especially street Japanese or Japanese slang) than you will make more friends there. Natives of different countries tend to accept foreigners more when they speak and understand the language of the land. At least I know that when I hear a foreigner speak english, I want to talk to them more. This is mainly because I know there will be no misunderstandings and frustrations that come along with not being familiar with the language.

[darg]

From what I've seen, Japanese people look at foreigners differently depending on how long they intend to stick around. If you're only there for a short time and tell them you plan on returning home after a certain amount of time then you're received well for the most part, but if you seem to be overstaying your welcome they look at you differently. It's sort of like many Japanese don't seem to understand why someone from abroad would choose to stay in Japan indefinitely, which I can understand to an extent since many people around me wonder why an American would want to live anywhere but in the US.

It's sort of the same as the way they view knowledge of the language- if you can say a few words or get by they love it and shower you with compliments, but if you get too good then they start wondering what the hell you're doing in their country speaking their language... or atleast that's the impression I got.

This applies mostly to those that haven't really traveled that much, as those that have tend to be more open-minded about things. The ones that you'll most likely talk to the most when visiting Japan will be those who have traveled abroad or are interested in foreign cultures, as these'll be the ones that seek you out or hang out at the gaijin-oriented areas.

So what was I saying... oh yeah, it depends!

[Kuro No Panda]

I might be going to Japan for christmas break (if not then, then in the summer) this year and i'm trying very hard to teach myself Japanese, I study for about two to four hours a day...in the summer!

I have no life

No that I mind of course

Though I really hope by the time I go i'm able to understand then language a lot better. @.@

[Glenski]

Originally Posted by Wakaranai

How do the Japanese really feal about U.S. citizens visiting and living in their country? From what I have read and heard is that the Japanese likes foreginers but at the same time they don't. I want to konw what the "truth" is.

Well, visiting and living are two different things. Visitors are tourists, and for the most part, the locals have to deal with them just like anyone else. I have recently heard that the vendors in the Tokyo Tsukiji fish market are upset over foreign tourists who step off the guided walkways and go behind the counters and hug fish to get their pictures taken. They pop off flash pictures during the buying and selling time, such that it is nearly impossible for buyers and sellers to see what each other is gesturing (like in stock markets).

Living in Japan. Sometimes it depends on where you live. Near a military base has got to be hard on foreigners, especially Americans, because of all the problems they draw. How much a foreigner shows respect for local rules and customs will matter, no matter where you live, but you will also find places even today that post "Japanese only" signs around Japan. Many landlords refuse to rent to foreigners (note that I am not singling out Americans) for various unsupported reasons, but this is changing.

Also I have heard that It is safe for U.S citizens and other foreginers to live in Japan. If it is safe what is all of the talk about?

Generally speaking, yes, it is very safe to live here.

I know that is if Very very very hard to find a place to live in Japan if you are a foreginer.

Here is where I will say that you are wrong. Perhaps you have had some specific experience to the contrary, but overall you are not correct. What is so hard? Please answer that so that I can respond better. For now, all I can say is that, like any other country, you need the proper visa to stay here, and it is not that hard to get for most.

I've been here almost 10 years, just in case that matters.

Blackgirls are nice wrote:

I read that if you are a foreigner that can speak Japanese almost fluently (Especially street Japanese or Japanese slang) than you will make more friends there.

Well, being able to speak fluently will obviously make communication easier, but it is not a guarantee that people will like you. In fact, some Japanese will avoid talking in Japanese around such foreigners because they don't want the foreigners to know what they are talking about.

quakerman wrote:

according to my friend who is a japanese exchange student. He says that most japanese will avoind foreigneres becaseu they cant speak good english. He says that in japan school system they learn how to read and write englihs but not speak it

Your friend is wrong. Perhaps your Japanese student never had the chance, but by and large it does happen. They study English for 6 years in JHS and SHS, and it is predominantly for reading and writing in order to pass college entrance exams. They DO learn speaking, but conversational skills are usually taught by foreign teachers, and students are not used to their style. They are used to a teacher-dominated class and not making mistakes, so they are very self-conscious about using English in spoken context. They can speak, not very well, but they are very hesistant to do so.

[yukio_michael]

Originally Posted by Kuro No Panda

I might be going to Japan for christmas break (if not then, then in the summer) this year and i'm trying very hard to teach myself Japanese, I study for about two to four hours a day...in the summer!

I'm happy for the opportunities you might have, and the potential you have for some great experiences, but did you have to bump a 3 year old thread with this non-sequitur?