Nippon

[SwordsMaster]

Hey all,

I know that some of you are or have been to the land of the rising sun. Since I might be moving to Kawasaki in a couple of months, I was wondering if anyone would have any advice or tips on how not to outrage locals too much. After 5 years living in Ireland, the cultural shock will be quite serious anyway...


Cheers

[Vladimir]

Wow. Sweet.

Send LEN some pictures of the local girls.

[SwordsMaster]

Wow. Sweet.

Send LEN some pictures of the local girls.

Of course. The first one is free...

[Bijo]

Hey all,

I know that some of you are or have been to the land of the rising sun. Since I might be moving to Kawasaki in a couple of months, I was wondering if anyone would have any advice or tips on how not to outrage locals too much. After 5 years living in Ireland, the cultural shock will be quite serious anyway...


Cheers

Does that mean you intend to outrage them, even if it's just a little bit?

[SwordsMaster]

Does that mean you intend to outrage them, even if it's just a little bit?

Oh, my, of course! With my good looks and irish impervousness to alcohol they have no chance!

I still need their money and job though, so I think I should rein in the irishness...

[Moros]

Never say that Anime is bad. Always say you prefer nintendo above Playstation and Xbox (if they even knwo the latter )

anyway here might be a usefull site:
http://www.geocities.com/japanfaq/FAQ-Manners.html

[Tamur]

Japanese often use silence for communication as much as speaking.

This is more true than even the list-maker probably thought in that list Moros pointed out (which was very interesting). Silence is not only golden in Japan, it's also pervasive, both in the countryside and in conversation. Tokyo can be noisy but in parts of it, you wouldn't even know you're amongst millions of other people.

Though it's good to know all the customs, in Japan being well thought of is a combination of being extremely good at whatever you're doing, and being impeccably polite while doing it. Teens there seem to use sloppiness in any activity as the ultimate form of rebellion.

It's a beautiful, beautiful country with the most considerate people on earth living in it. I'm highly envious

Do post pictures if you think of it.

[LeftEyeNine]

Wow. Sweet.

Send LEN some pictures of the local girls.

That's what I call fame.

Of course. The first one is free...

And that's what I call misfortune

[Bijo]

How about this one from the list?

Don't take wads of napkins, sugar packs, or steal "souvinirs" when you leave a restaurant.

As if it's directed at old people

[SwordsMaster]

Never say that Anime is bad. Always say you prefer nintendo above Playstation and Xbox (if they even knwo the latter )

anyway here might be a usefull site:
http://www.geocities.com/japanfaq/FAQ-Manners.html

Thanks man. That is informative.

This is more true than even the list-maker probably thought in that list Moros pointed out (which was very interesting). Silence is not only golden in Japan, it's also pervasive, both in the countryside and in conversation. Tokyo can be noisy but in parts of it, you wouldn't even know you're amongst millions of other people.

Though it's good to know all the customs, in Japan being well thought of is a combination of being extremely good at whatever you're doing, and being impeccably polite while doing it. Teens there seem to use sloppiness in any activity as the ultimate form of rebellion.

It's a beautiful, beautiful country with the most considerate people on earth living in it. I'm highly envious

Do post pictures if you think of it.

You have been there, then. All going as the augurs predicted and the Gods being benevolent, I'd be going to Kawasaki city on the east coast. As per wiki, one of the largest ports in Japan. Which is nice because I like the sea.

Sloppiness I am very good at. Although I'm not sure they'll appreciate it. How tolerant are they with gaijing? I just hope that unless I do something extremely rude, they'll assume i'm just an unwashed barbarian like the rest of'em and won't mind too much....

[Mithrandir]

Pictures ~

[lars573]

Sloppiness I am very good at. Although I'm not sure they'll appreciate it. How tolerant are they with gaijing? I just hope that unless I do something extremely rude, they'll assume i'm just an unwashed barbarian like the rest of'em and won't mind too much....

That depends on your skin colour and nation of origin. I know how racist that sounds, but I've heard far to much of it to dismiss it. The Japanese have huge prejudcie against Koreans and Chinese, and really don't treat them that well (when you hear about Japanese not wanting to rent to foreingers, they could easily be talking about eastern continental asian guest workers). I've heard tell that Japanese papers try and blame any and all crime on Chinese and Koreans. They love all things USA and French, but they'd still probably find them rude.


For another perspective on life for a guest worker in Japan, check out Gaijin smash. It's the blog of an African-american english teacher in Japan.

[SwordsMaster]

That depends on your skin colour and nation of origin. I know how racist that sounds, but I've heard far to much of it to dismiss it. The Japanese have huge prejudcie against Koreans and Chinese, and really don't treat them that well (when you hear about Japanese not wanting to rent to foreingers, they could easily be talking about eastern continental asian guest workers). I've heard tell that Japanese papers try and blame any and all crime on Chinese and Koreans. They love all things USA and French, but they'd still probably find them rude.


For another perspective on life for a guest worker in Japan, check out Gaijin smash. It's the blog of an African-american english teacher in Japan.

Well, I'm caucasian white. As of nation of origin, sometimes I'd like to know myself... But definitely not Chinese, american or Korean. Most likely not french either...

[Samurai Waki]

hmmm... I must have been in a different part of Japan. That website was very Rigid on etiquette, in comparison to what I witnessed. Oh well, may be the younger generation taking notes from Western Civilization.

[lars573]

From erading Gaijin smash, I'd agree with you. Those are the rules of formal polite society. Although the passing of buisness cards does go on. I would suspect that the stridence of follow the rules etiquet changes with the layer of society your dealing with. White collar following more and more often that blue collar so to speak.

[SwordsMaster]

Ok, how about some more practical issues? How's the day-to-day stuff? Taxi rides, food, gym membership and service, broadband, bank accounts? Are those expensive? Readily available? How's the alcohol? What are the local beers and girls like (they invariably go together)?


Anyone?

[Vladimir]

Dude go native. Drink plum wine and saki. Buy plenty for the girls and later you might have some sushi!

[SwordsMaster]

Dude go native. Drink plum wine and saki. Buy plenty for the girls and later you might have some sushi!

Dude, I dont even want to know exactly how you came up with that metaphor...

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Dude, I dont even want to know exactly how you came up with that metaphor...

I can guess.

[Kralizec]

Are you going to live there permanently, or are you going to be an intern or something?

Never say that Anime is bad. Always say you prefer nintendo above Playstation and Xbox (if they even knwo the latter )

anyway here might be a usefull site:
http://www.geocities.com/japanfaq/FAQ-Manners.html

Err, Playstation is from Sony, wich is from wich country....?

[SwordsMaster]

Are you going to live there permanently, or are you going to be an intern or something?




Err, Playstation is from Sony, wich is from wich country....?

I am going as an intern, but i'm going for 2 years to work for a big corporation. They did offer good money for my soul.

[Vladimir]

I am going as an intern, but i'm going for 2 years to work for a big corporation. They did offer good money for my soul.

Internships are teh . Even government ones.

[SwordsMaster]

Internships are teh . Even government ones.

Yeah! No responsibility! I have to say though that i still haven't signed anything. So in spite of my confident attitude, I might still just not get it...

[Martok]

Dude, I dont even want to know exactly how you came up with that metaphor...

No. No you don't.

In any case, however, I definitely envy you. Always wanted to visit Japan.

[Moros]

Are you going to live there permanently, or are you going to be an intern or something?




Err, Playstation is from Sony, wich is from wich country....?

Yes that I know, Sony is a japanese coörperation...which means?
It's a known fact that those silly Japanese rather buy a Nintendo DS than a PSP and buy more WIIs than PS3's. (A WII? wtf? silly Japanese, WII's are fun for a moment and perhaps when you have a few freinds over, but for real gaming? Come on!?)

And I don't think we need to discuss X-Box do we?

[lars573]

Yeah why should we discuss the best gamming console out there....

[SwordsMaster]

Yeah why should we discuss the best gamming console out there....

Hey, hey! Consoles, no. My thread. Repeat with me, mine.

But, if you have any helpful advice about China also, I'll gladly hear it. Apparently the position might involve frequent travelling to Beijing

[Vladimir]

Better start sucking on a tailpipe to condition your lungs to the pollution.

[lars573]

Hey, hey! Consoles, no. My thread. Repeat with me, mine.

But, if you have any helpful advice about China also, I'll gladly hear it. Apparently the position might involve frequent travelling to Beijing

I heard a first hand account about what travelling in China is like. But I don't remember much.

[Moros]

Yeah why should we discuss the best gamming console out there....

I meant that it would even be ridiculous to discuss wether the X-box is as popular as nintendo over at Japan. Which is obviously not the case.

btw: PS3>X-BOX