Tofugu Comments - Latest Comments in Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

BK-110 — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 03:17:12 -0000

As far as I can see, Japanese just want us to follow *their* cultures rules when we are in *their* country. And when they are in other countries and are the super-tourists that we know, then they follow *that* country's rules.
It's the same way that you want people who visit *your* house to follow *your* rules. I can't see much racism in this part.
As for the "anti-gaijin"-shops: Generalization. Many Japanese have never been in direct contact with foreigners. It's like many people often generalize snakes or spiders as something bad.

So I'd say mostly it depends on whether you behave correctly. That's my take on it, just an analysis of what I've read about it.

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

NintendoExpedition — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:14:29 -0000

You do, however, have to realize the amount of political incorrectness in the United States as well (i.e.- "Kiss me I'm Irish" t-shirts). The only difference here is how isolated our different cultures been throughout the centuries.

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

Sasha — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:52:55 -0000

Are they generally nicer to girl foreigners than guys?

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

Peggy — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:51:28 -0000

Never gone to Japan, but the Japanese students at my university seemed shy, but if you approached them to talk they seemed really happy about it. A couple of them confessed that they're afraid that the Americans wouldn't bother taking the time to talk to them because their accents were too thick or they were self-concious about their English. Because of this self consciousness, they hung back and stuck to themselves. Although they seemed cloistered and reserved, many of them were just waiting for someone to make the first moved. Once I'd make an effort to get to know them, they'd approach me/sit with me next time. And they were all super-patient about us westerners constantly wanting to talk about Japan.

There were "Japanese Only" parties, but I think that was just so they could take a break from English.

I mean, they all sat together at lunch and there were even a couple "Japanese Only" parties (but I think that was mainly just so they could take a break from English).

When one of my American acquaintences actually *went* to Japan, he said they were quite bruque with him. Then again......this guy was kind of a tool. As for my sister, she went there with a Japanese buddy and ran around with his friends. My sister--who is quite socially graceful and not a tool in the least--said that everyone was exceedingly nice, considerate, and accomodating. So, I reckon a lot of it depends on who you are as an individual....not just whether you're gaijin or not....

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

Zane — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:29:08 -0000

japan-fan, there are masjids in japan, 3 i think. There will always be problems with religion wherever anyone goes, I don't think Japan has too many problems in that aspect (at least I hope they don't ^^;) anywho, i'm sure Erin or the rest of the group could say something or another about this.

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

japan-fan — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 04:02:13 -0000

i am muslim (i wear the head scarf and generally loose clothes), i personally like japan and would like to visit someday. but r the japanese racist towards muslims and such? if you read this and have the answer then please let me know.

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

Uriel Erubey — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 19:07:25 -0000

"Some places you walk into will not let you in and they give you the “X” with their arms and say “No gaijin”. I dont feel they are being racist"

Being culturally sensitive to other people's practices is nice, but that is obviously racist. Sure, they have reasons for doing so, and they are not necessarily from one incident, as in the one you alluded to, but it's not justification but simply an excuse. I'm not painting all of Japan here with this however, don't get me wrong.

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

Shtephen — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 09:40:45 -0000

I would say they Japanese people are more intigued by foreigners then are racist toward them of course when I walk through the streets of Japan I do feel like an outsider. They other day I was walking through a neighborhood in Japan going home and there were two Japanese kids walking home from school one of them noticed me and told his friend that there was a "Gaikokujin" behind him then they both turned faced me and said "Konnichiwa" I replied back to them and went on my way. I guess the point is if you dont look Japanese you will stick, out its not bad, nor good, its just the way it is. Some places you walk into will not let you in and they give you the "X" with their arms and say "No gaijin". I dont feel they are being racist but just stereo typing me. But it can be expected since the area I live in had four American Marines rape a Japanese girl about a week ago. I think everyone has a little bit of a stereo typing in them were all human but we are different for better or worse.

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

Kevinnwhat — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 21:44:31 -0000

im kinda with you on that "あけと" (sorry for double post)

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

Kevinnwhat — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 21:43:18 -0000

LMAO i started dying once i seen the picture olol!!!!

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

Lee — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 20:43:49 -0000

I would say that it isn't unexpected. The Japanese are a cloistered society, and don't interact well with foreigners. Examples of this are beyond numerous.
I wouldn't call this "terribly" racist; it's certainly not the worst I've seen, but it's politically incorrect. Granted, I was never one to care about political correctness, but I could see some people being offended by it.

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

Erin — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 20:01:26 -0000

Eevee (and others) :

Please see the edit in my post

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

Eevee — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 19:17:05 -0000

Since I'm growing up in a Canadian home, and we have had many foreign students over the years, I can't really say what I think of the Japanese and how accepting they are of foreigners.

On the one hand, I have the dozen or so students we've had stay with us for weeks at a time and when they leave they seriously suggest that I come and visit them.
On the other hand, I haven't really experienced Japanese culture as a whole, or any Japanese people while they're in their own country. Who knows, maybe it's just these few people (fans of western and English-speaking culture) who are accepting, or they've decided they'd love to have us after staying here?

All I know is, our Korean kids aren't too fond of the Japanese... and I'm definitely taking up those offers of visiting them!

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

あけと — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 00:44:37 -0000

I'm just sick of it.

All you Japanese people out there, get over it.

There are other nationalities and races in the world. We're all humans. We all have two eyes, two ears a nose, a mouth, two arms, two legs, you know what I mean?

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

StupidFresh — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:09:12 -0000

"think this anti outsider presence in Japan is so interesting because it is so very opposite of the way we do things in America."
Oh, Really?

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

mrthundercleese4 — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 07:29:28 -0000

Only accepting to a degree.., is that like thanks for visiting, but after a week it is time for you to go back to your own country. I think this anti outsider presence in Japan is so interesting because it is so very opposite of the way we do things in America. I have also heard Getting citizenship is difficult or impossible for not native born Japanese, how true is that?

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

Onimusha Nosferatu — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 21:29:17 -0000

if there aren't any other gaijin-san costume then japanese people equate caucasianness with foreignness.... what about everybody else? i think b/c japan is so homogeneous they don't realize sometimes that some things may be offensive to foreigners. overall i think most japanese are accepting of foreigners, but only to a degree, much like any country.

Re: Nothing Scarier Than a Gaijin

Elsa — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:04:44 -0000

I saw that at a Kid's World in Hirakata (Osaka)! The sticker's covering up the name in the picture. The full name is ”ハロー外人さん,” if I remember correctly.