tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33409496.post1753114680506599030..comments2008-08-04T16:07:45.247+09:00Comments on My So-Called Japanese Life: On Insecurity and ValidationUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33409496.post-16085380585258380772007-08-12T07:38:00.000+09:002007-08-12T07:38:00.000+09:00I can't help but see the irony in this post. Makin...I can't help but see the irony in this post. Making an assumption that saying "Thank you" comes from a need for validation and insecurity. Having it reinforced by other people with essentially the same experience is just a step closer to making this a stereotype.<BR/><BR/>It could be construed as though you're using your experience with you students, in your own words, as a springboard for judgement.<BR/><BR/>I do agree that there's a lot of people that live their lives focusing on the quantifiable. But who am I to say that isn't the right thing for them. I think I know how I want to live my life, and it's pretty much a pursuit of happiness. How I go about doing that isn't important. What's important is that I don't assume that I've struck some kind of gold mine of inner truth that should be spread around to all my fellow humanbeings.<BR/><BR/>Do I have a point with all this? Well, I'm not sure... but how a simple "Thank you" said without sarcasm can fuel a discussion about peoples insecurites is beyond me. And assuming people will "better" themselves according to your standards is a bit presumptions aswell. =)<BR/><BR/>I'm not trying to defend or attack anyone and I'm only trying to offer another point of view on the matter (I hope I don't come off as overly aggressive, English is not my native language). I realize that my comment could also be construed as me taking the moral high point... heh... =)<BR/><BR/>On another (lighter) note I do admire your tenacity in the big city. I have heard from others that living in Tokyo for extended periods can be quite strenuous for both body and mind. I only spent a 3 week vacation there so I haven't got much experience with daily life in japan.<BR/><BR/>ps: I just read through all your posts as I have a keen interest in western peoples experiences with daily life in japan. And I rarely comment blogs, but I felt that I might be able to contribute in a positive manner to this discussion.<BR/><BR/>Best wishes!<BR/><BR/>The Swede without netiquette... =)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33409496.post-83814729320059527072007-07-06T23:44:00.000+09:002007-07-06T23:44:00.000+09:00Red: I think we all start to pick up the habits of...Red: I think we all start to pick up the habits of the Japanese after we've been here awhile. I start every message to my students with a line about the weather because the Japanese feel more comfortable with insignificant small talk at the beginning of correspondence.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your comment!Sharihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17419851636570519145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33409496.post-50948099621342361812007-07-06T23:33:00.000+09:002007-07-06T23:33:00.000+09:00Roy: As always, you make very good points. I think...Roy: As always, you make very good points. I think that during my days in an eikaiwa (which were thankfully limited to 2 years when I first arrived), I was too naive to detect those with chips on their shoulders. <BR/><BR/>Miko: Perhaps he was really into antrhopomorhizing and felt Mt. Fuji was a member of his family. ;-)Sharihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17419851636570519145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33409496.post-29391508345466319802007-07-06T17:08:00.000+09:002007-07-06T17:08:00.000+09:00I found your story about Japanese people thanking ...I found your story about Japanese people thanking you when you talk about something you like in Japan very funny. Maybe I've been here too long but I realised that I now do the same thing when someone says that they like Australia or they want to visit it one day. It always seems to go down really smooth in the conversation, too, as if I was expected to say that. Bit wierd really, isn't it...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33409496.post-43996870929701243932007-07-06T08:52:00.000+09:002007-07-06T08:52:00.000+09:00Bah, stupid trolls! Just ignore 'em, you guys. I...Bah, stupid trolls! Just ignore 'em, you guys. I gotta agree with Roy's comment about Eikaiwa attracting these types, though, and it's easy to ignore them when they are just passing through, it's not so easy when you have to smile and act nice to them.<BR/><BR/>Topic! I once commented to a friend that I regard snow-capped Mt. Fuji as one of the most beautiful sights in the world, and was very surprised when he thanked me profusely, as though I'd personally complimented a member of his family or something. Perhaps that's how he saw it?Mikohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05410781872502597824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33409496.post-46715727624562244502007-07-05T23:07:00.000+09:002007-07-05T23:07:00.000+09:00I think eikaiwa attracts a fair number of people w...I think eikaiwa attracts a fair number of people who are struggling through their personal "chip on the shoulder" attitudes towards things foreign and their own cultural insecurities. I've meet many of these types and while most are benign like the kind of people that will say "thank you" to a comment like you mention, some can be hostile like Takechanpon.<BR/><BR/>In essense they are the similar homophobics who are in denial to that which they are subconsciously attracted. I mean that guy's hate blog is in English so he must have spent some time learning it, right?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12044684708839684798noreply@blogger.com