Download - 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.