polite fictions - the real reasons foreigners can't seem to fit in japan (draft - part 1)

Polite Fictions:The Real Reasons Foreigners Can’t Seem To Fit In JapanBy Todd Fong

Photo by Danny Choo /Flickr

Polite FictionsWhy Japanese and AmericansSeem Rude To Each Other

Nancy SakamotoReiko Naotsuka

Photo by Shihchun Yen/Flickr

To the foreigner,can seem like a world apart…JAPAN

Extraordinarily

MODERNyet steeped in tradition…

…a beautiful but alien

culture.

every non-Japanese person is a “gaijin”: a foreigner.

外人

外人

JAPANInPhoto by schwong/Flickr

Photo by zero_point/Flickr

Perhaps it’s because the Japanese see their culture as Unique.

In many ways,it is.

Every culture has its “polite fictions”, a set of culturally-centric beliefs of how people should interact.

Many of the Polite Fictions of American culture are in direct opposition to the Polite Fictions of Japanese culture.

日本人AMERICAN

“You and I are equal.” “I am your inferior.”

Obviously, Japanese people are not actually inferior, but Japanese culture dictates that it is polite for them to act as if they are.

Not all Americans believe everyone else is their equal, but it would be perceived as impolite to treat others as inferior.

By now, you’re starting to see the problem.

The Japanese greet one another with a bow: Little eye contact

Submissive posture Unassuming

While Americans greet one another with a handshake: Direct eye contact Firm vigorous grip Assuming friendship

orz(I have failed you)

:-((Sorry)

日本人AMERICAN

“My wife is an excellent cook.”

“Please come over and my wife will make us dinner.”

“My wife is a better cook than yours.”

AMERICANThe

Thinks…

JAPANESEThe

Hears…

SENPAI

KOUHAI

先輩後輩

Junior / SeniorThe relationshipis nurtured in the education system, but can last a lifetime.