Ever wonder those weird things people say?
１７日４月２０１４年 Post
"Why are Americans fat?"
"Can you eat ~~?"
"You use chopsticks very well."
Don't think too much about it. Don't take it as an insult. Just forgive and move on. This is what I tell myself, when it does happen. It seemed to me that many people in Japan are inward and thus don't have much experience interacting with those who are extremely different from them.
When these things are said, it's surprising right? It's like talking to a child who doesn't know much. At least that's what I think sometimes (depending on the person). It never comes from bad intentions or negative thinking, just be prepared to be stunned, not know what to say, think for a moment, and answer, "he just drank too much hot chocolate so his skin turned brown" and laugh.
If the person has a sense of humor and if you have the Japanese ability to say these things in Japanese, then it should be no problem. Go for it! Of course, people want a real answer so sometimes it is nice to tell them. This way you're kind of the employed cultural ambassador of your country. Remember that time when you spoke with your friends and they asked you "why do Japanese not say no?". If you were a person interested in Japanese culture at that time (like me), you probably would have given a 700 word explanation about the reasons for not saying "no".
There is a lot of things we didn't know before going to Japan and even after being in Japan. Maybe sometimes you'll wonder, "why do they walk so bad in high heels?", etc. But there are many differences with every culture, and contemplating on your own countries weirdness is another way of understanding others. When I came to US, I learned (and still learning) many things:
- People can't dance, and men think it's not "manly" to dance
I was totally disappointed when I learned this. Coming from a Caribbean island where you start dancing as soon as you are born (forget about learning how to walk), you want that guy that knows how to dance. It's sexy. It's impressive. It makes him look more appealing/desirable. It makes him popular. As a girl, you WANT to dance with him; you want to be directed in a dance where he knows how to take control but is also aware of your own strength.
To not enjoy this sort of thing made me think, "why don't they want to impress girls in dancing?". But it's because there isn't this dance culture. People just don't really dance. This goes back to the concept of "parties". In Puerto Rico a party is this ----> tons of food (you make food and bring it to the party and most definitely you will be bringing some different food home), tons of people (your friends invited their friends, your family invited other family members who invited other friends, etc), music all the time (before, during, and after eating, you are also dancing. even teaching your 5 year old cousin who is as tall as your knee), drinking (includes all ages except maybe that 5 year old cousin. not because she is young but because her brain can't handle it yet), and TONS of talking. Probably there will be too many people, so the party is extended to the front of the house (on the street), your backyard (if you have one), the kitchen, and the living room.
On the other hand, American parties are like this ----> sitting down on a big table where the food is served. So you all eat at the same time. Before eating you are sitting or standing in the living room area or whatever designated area the person chose. (Also being 3 hours late is a big no no.) Maybe there are kids playing with toys or went to their rooms to play with their friends (away from the party because they find it boring. . .for good reasons). After eating, this same atmosphere happens again.
Of course I am talking about parties that involve different ages (not just parties for teenagers), and that set at home. But the big difference is the dancing. Depending on the group of people there may be a LITTLE bit of dancing, but usually this is not part of a party. People don't dance, they talk.
So maybe it sounds weird to you, but you also have to think about your own culture and your own weird things. Probably when you were a kid, you asked plenty of inappropriate and/or strange questions because you were exposed to those situations. Now imagine that person who is still 40 and has been exposed to that situation but didn't have the change to ask.
I'm not trying to make them look good. Every person can defend themselves. My point is to keep an open mind, and also reflect on yourself and where you come from. *^^*
