Today I went to the grocery store on the way home from work.
I was thinking about the discussion on the "Have you Ever Experienced Discrimination in Japan?" thread here, and I was quietly monitoring the people around me in a way that I normally do not any more, looking for signs of racism or discrimination for the sake of "science".
I did notice that people looked at me. Yes, they looked, but I saw nothing sinister in their eyes. I didn't even see curiosity, but since I was obviously looking at them back (or how else could I have noticed?), I can't report anything substantial on that point. I should also note that I made these observations at the entrance, where I am rather inclined to have people look at me (and everyone else around) if only for the sake of avoiding bumping into each other!
The most remarkable encounter I had happened while waiting to pay for my goods.
It happened when I went to the check-out lane. I got in the lane with the fewest people waiting to be checked out (only one!) and started waiting. Suddenly the lady in front of me looked at me and said (in Japanese of course), "Would you mind skipping ahead of me? I forgot to pick up some eggs." I asked her if it was indeed alright with her and proceeded to the cashier.
Mundane as heck, no?
It's that very mundaneness, the very fact that it was nothing special in any conceivable manner, that makes it significant to me. She didn't waver or even seem to take notice that I was not Asian in appearance. She treated me as I assume she would have any person standing behind her in the check-out lane.
I stand reaffirmed in my conviction that even though there are racist people everywhere, Japan included, this is not an inherently racist country.
I was thinking about the discussion on the "Have you Ever Experienced Discrimination in Japan?" thread here, and I was quietly monitoring the people around me in a way that I normally do not any more, looking for signs of racism or discrimination for the sake of "science".
I did notice that people looked at me. Yes, they looked, but I saw nothing sinister in their eyes. I didn't even see curiosity, but since I was obviously looking at them back (or how else could I have noticed?), I can't report anything substantial on that point. I should also note that I made these observations at the entrance, where I am rather inclined to have people look at me (and everyone else around) if only for the sake of avoiding bumping into each other!
The most remarkable encounter I had happened while waiting to pay for my goods.
It happened when I went to the check-out lane. I got in the lane with the fewest people waiting to be checked out (only one!) and started waiting. Suddenly the lady in front of me looked at me and said (in Japanese of course), "Would you mind skipping ahead of me? I forgot to pick up some eggs." I asked her if it was indeed alright with her and proceeded to the cashier.
Mundane as heck, no?
It's that very mundaneness, the very fact that it was nothing special in any conceivable manner, that makes it significant to me. She didn't waver or even seem to take notice that I was not Asian in appearance. She treated me as I assume she would have any person standing behind her in the check-out lane.
I stand reaffirmed in my conviction that even though there are racist people everywhere, Japan included, this is not an inherently racist country.