Comments for Through the Eyes of a Vagrant

Comment on How Not to Greet a Person Who Does Not Look Japanese – A Handy Guide for Japanese People by Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:56:31 +0000

I’m going in a couple months to Tokyo. I’m afraid already with blonde hair.
I don’t know a thing about the language or culture, but excited to go, but don’t even know the word hello yet.
Yippie!

Comment on Things That Have Surprised Me About Japan by gaininja

gaininja — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:46:02 +0000

The “mugi” is “mugicha” is actuallt barley, not wheat.

Comment on Things That Have Surprised Me About Japan by admin

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:28:32 +0000

Sarah: I was just having a talk about that with the owner of this cafe I go to, and he was saying that anime really isn’t Japanese culture anymore. The Japanese grow out of it after junior high really, and then only geeks watch it afterwards. Manga is pretty popular in junior high, but I often know more about anime than the children do. All of the adults I talk to don’t watch anime, but seem to be really interested in dramas. Of course, all of this is mainly my opinion and I can’t really back it up with fact. If anything, ironically, the animation that has become a de facto Japanese thing, is Disney, I would say.

Kozo: #20 is based on talking with a couple people along with personal observation. I’ve always noticed that if I enter into a washroom, and there is a choice between a Japanese-style toilet and a western-style toilet, that the Japanese-style one is always taken (which I don’t mind one bit). All of the staff washrooms at all of my schools have nothing but squatters as well (with the exception of one which has both), and I’m sure the Japanese knew about western toilets before those schools were built. But, you probably know more about this than I do since your Japanese is better. The only advantage I see to squatters is that you don’t have to touch anything when using one. Western toilets clearly win in every other area. And perhaps the reason why western-style toilets in homes are increasing is because women want them. I can’t imagine it’s very easy for a woman to use a squatter (especially after talking with Susan), and when it comes to the bathroom, the woman will always win.

Comment on Things That Have Surprised Me About Japan by Kozo

Kozo — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:38:11 +0000

#20
Really??? I think the stat I’ve heard is that over 90% of new homes built in the last 25 years have western toilets (close to 100% in the last 10 years). I think the prevalence of Japanese-style squatters has more to do with not wanting to pay for the change. I’ve never heard any Japanese person express a preference for squatters, and believe it or not, it’s a conversation that comes up quite often in volunteer camps in the inaka.

Comment on Things That Have Surprised Me About Japan by Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:12:04 +0000

There are a few things on your list that are the same in HK as well (yellow rubber on all sidewalks, facemasks, English teachers with questionable English, gas water heaters, convenience store bills, NO heating in schools in the winter at all, etc, etc). I guess living overseas for a while, it’s easy to forget the things that are different from home! List = useful.

I guess the ones most surprising to me would be about japanese women shaving their arms o__O And ATMs CLOSING, tsk, they should be open all the time….

I dunno about the not-liking-anime thing though. I think it is a part of most Japanese people’s lives in their youth, and most will have a liking for certain shows but they will just not be crazy enthusiastic about them cause that would make them an “otaku”……definitely not a positive thing to them!!!

Comment on Things That Have Surprised Me About Japan by Furious

Furious — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:27:44 +0000

Bravo! Really interesting list– and a refreshing mix of positive and negative things too.

*best Japanese accent* You truly understand the heart of Japan.

Comment on How Not to Greet a Person Who Does Not Look Japanese – A Handy Guide for Japanese People by admin

admin — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:05:32 +0000

In Canada, most people think I’m East Indian, Porteguese, or Italian. Japanese people always default to American or ask me where I am from. And if I mention I’m Canadian, I usually get the “Oh, I like Vancouver!” or “I’ve visited Vancouver before!” Or sometimes I get something even more bizzare. It’s when they say they did a homestay in Canada, get really friendly with you, and then stop talking to you for the rest of the month. Do you ever see that too? Like that must be taking tatemae to a whole new extreme.

I’m doing a presentation on Canada soon and it will have a healthy dose of North American Native culture and history in it. I have absolutely no idea how the children will react though. I’m sure the teachers are stoked, but I doubt the kids would would even blink unless I mentioned SMAP or some garbage like that. :S

Comment on How Not to Greet a Person Who Does Not Look Japanese – A Handy Guide for Japanese People by Furious

Furious — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 10:29:33 +0000

Re #5, this is incredibly annoying. A certain person who I told you about, who was better behaved this w/e, still kept asking about “America”, and only clued in at the end and finally asked something about Canada. If you were to ask a Japanese person about what it’s like to be Korean, them might very well be fightin’ words.

Adam, though, since you are half First Nations and basically don’t look like a typical European, do you get people here who’re confused about what 出身 you are? I see Japanese people all the time who at least look like they could be Haida or something.

Comment on Terrorism and Xenophobia by Victor

Victor — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:48:25 +0000

That Terrorism awareness poster is so damn hilarious, with the toons on the poster.

Comment on Bonnie Pink “One” Concert by Victor

Victor — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:22:45 +0000

*chick on stag*

“Hello everyone!”

” I hold here in my hand a limited edition rag for my concert. ”

“this rag was wiped by me in the washroom”

“Bidding starts now”