demagogue on 8/11/2009 at 21:24
He's talking about Africans. :erg:
Whatever ... Japan is safe, so it's not even an issue.
I saw this Japanese comedy show and thought, even though they are absurd skits, they're actually sort of useful for getting what the culture really cares about. I mean, knowing why they find this stuff funny is sort of a window into the culture.
(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsxrByBcbeM) Part 1
(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsTT4WwNvh0&NR=1) Part 2.
I know you can't understand the language, but maybe just seeing the actions is enough to get what's going on.
This shows you things like:
- Don't ever be flippant about receiving or handing over business cards, credit cards, cash to a cashier, anything like that. Seriously, it's like the ultimate insult.
- Don't mess with people's private space, or put too much awkward attention on people (staring).
- Always keep your cool and keep the "harmony" of a situation (don't act out of emotion). You see so many of these skits are people getting nervous or emotional and "breaking the harmony" and doing something weird. They're exaggerating it, but it's still really like that. (Even if no one tells you to stop, you shouldn't do things that look like you're losing your cool ... if you want to make a good impression anyway.)
- Always be apologetic about freaking anything; notice how everytime they are caught doing something weird they immediately say "sumimasen" "excuse me; sorry, sorry..." Japanese like that. Be apologetic cutting through crowds, ordering food... Come across too strong and you might scare them!
- It's sort of feels like a caricature of America in the 1950s sometimes, the older men are always right (and get the privilege of acting like self-sure pricks), defer to authority, don't act flippant, least of all to the older men... You don't always have to cave in to stupid norms, but it's good to know they're there. Younger people are cooler, and foreigners get more latitude, like was said before.
heywood on 9/11/2009 at 23:19
And to be clear, I wasn't trying to imply that they were dangerous, just a little annoying is all. There are very few things that annoyed me in Japan, but these hostess club touts sometimes managed to.
Rufus on 9/11/2009 at 23:24
Dunno if this was posted already:
Don't EVER stick your chopsticks into the rice unless you're at a funeral.
Martin Karne on 12/11/2009 at 15:55
When in Japan, beware of giant anime cats when they purr, they can break windows.
heywood on 24/11/2009 at 17:12
So, how was the trip?
