I have the day in Yokohama then leave for Seoul tonight.
I fly to Taipei tomorrow night, then Beijing on Wednesday and arrive there about midnight.
Its been interesting being in Japan again after 5 years of absence. This is the first time I haven't stayed in Tokyo proper, but I can't say that Yokohama which is after all really a suburb, (albeit a city in its own right), is much different.
Japan is pretty unique in Asia. It has its own strange business etiquette as well as complex social rules. When I was walking around in the drizzle last night, I couldn't help but think to myself how all that I know about this place is subject to constant revision. The more I think I know, the less, it becomes apparent, I really have a grip on.
I wonder if the Japanese find us as incomprehensible in some aspects but familiar in others?
There is a whole list of strange things:
- The obsessive cartoon motif that bombards you from the minute you step off the plane
- the school uniform fetish that both young men and women seem to adopt, wearing school type uniforms long after highschool graduation
- The rebellious 20 somethings, who dress outrageously, then like a switch in their heads is flicked at a certain age, adopt somber grey suits and business attire- Its different from western rebellion , believe me.
- The salary man schoolgirl fetish
- 20 minute silences in business meetings, which if broken signal a lack of patience and tact
- Pachinko http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2065.html -If you want a vision of hell, just step inside a Pachinko parlour.
- Japanese baseball fans and crowd behaviour
There's quite a bit more, but that's enough to give you a flavour.
I'll post as and when I get a chance, but as you can see,I 'm going to be mucho run off my feet for the next few days.
T
4 comments:
If you like anime, this read will make Japanese culture more comprehensible:
Anime from Akira to Howl's Moving Castle, Updated Edition : Experiencing Contemporary Japanese Animation by Susan Napier
and for laughs:
The Big Bento Box of Unuseless Japanese Inventions (101 Unuseless Japanese Inventions and 99 More Unuseless Japanese Inventions)
Great observations Terry....I personally think the Japanese youth are a few generations behind the Americans - probably early 60's - 70's - and are just now thinking about individuality, which goes against everything their culture believes in - - the whole "greater good" mentality.
Have you sat in on a business meeting yet, where all the people around are sitting there with their eyes closed, heads nodding, and you can't tell if they are awake or asleep? That's a feeling you'll never forget - especially when we've been raised to consider it extremely rude.
Turn your business card the "wrong" way when presenting it to someone and watch the reaction you get - it will be priceless - guaranteed.
Well - safe travels - can't wait to hear more of your Japanese adventures!
Yo Terry,
Japanese American here, yeah I'm the same person that left my opinion about harvesting produce the other day. Just happens my Mom is Japanese (my Dad was Mexican) she was born and raised in Tokyo -- I've never been to Japan, but my Mom went back after 27 years in the Arizona. She was 18 when whe left Japan after WWII -- and she only made one trip back. She was shocked when she returned, but she said the best day she had during her visit was standing on a street corner on the Ginza (Sp?) looking for lost and confused Americans and walking up to them and saying "You look lost, could I help you? Do you need directions? Could I translate for you?" She said they were shocked because she sounded so American and looking just like everyone else in a sea of short, black haired, dark eyed people. She had a blast!
Wow, you're really busy with all the traveling. I think that Japan would be a beautiful place to take a trip to, even though it's insanely filled with people, but I absolutely love cities.
Geez, sounds like there are a ton of fetishes there.
Oh yes, thank you for the comment on my blog.
Take care.
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