polite fictions - the real reasons foreigners can't seem to fit in japan (draft - part 1)
DESCRIPTION
No two cultures differ quite as much as American and Japanese culture. But why do Americans have such a difficult time adapting to Japanese culture? This presentation, based on a brilliant but not widely known book, attempts to explain the root of the issue. My Powerpoint notes are missing - I thought they would be there when I uploaded the file. I'm going to have to figure out where I went wrong...sorry if some things don't make perfect sense without the notes. This is my first draft and incomplete work. There are other "polite fictions" that I want to illustrate but I wanted to get what I had out there to get feedback from my peers. Finding the right images to use has been tedious - we need more Creative Commons users on Flickr! Thanks to the great photographers I did find on Flickr who are willing to share their photos with others. I can't say how much I appreciate you folks! Please give me some creative feedback and I hope you enjoy my slideshow. ToddTRANSCRIPT
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.