Being Accepted is Difficult in Japan

by Dan
(Yamagata)

Isn't this just a sad fact of life about living in Japan? Acceptance
isn't as easy as I thought it would be. I've lived here for about 10
years now but still have a hard time listening to shouts of 'Gaijin',
especially from adults who should know better. Christ, I've been living
in this country a lot longer than most of the Elementary school kids
that still regard me as an 'outsider'. The other day, walking through
the throngs at the local festival, I must have heard at least 6 people
exclaiming 'Gaijin da', or 'whoahhh' as if they'd just come face to face
with a juggling monkey. I've never been stalked in shops but have had
store clerks (mainly convenience stores) comment on how fantastic my
Japanese was (if only this were true!) because I'd just said 'domo' or
'onegaishimasu' - what do they expect me to say? Up here, the locals
really can't comprehend the fact that foreigners find it easier to
communicate in Japanese.

What's one to do? Grin and bear it? I don't think so?

Dan (Yamagata)

Originally posted to the Japan Living Forum

Japan Living Forum