Hi,
Been reading posts here for a while now and just need to agree to Aquamarine on this one.
"HEY! YOU'RE WHITE LIKE ME! COOL! I JUST MOVED HERE FROM
insert generic north american city AND I'M SO HAPPY TO BE HERE AND IT'S SO COOL TO MEET YOU AND LET'S BE BEST OF FRIENDS BECAUSE I'M WHITE AND YOU'RE WHITE AND WE'LL BOTH BE WHITE TOGETHER IN THIS CRAZY JAPANESE CITY!!!!"
Sorry my poor English from now on...
I'm from north Europe and first visited Japan for 1 month in sept. 2009. I didn't go there as to pick up girls/ladies but just to meet one of my good friend in Tokyo. During that time I had dozens of western guys come to me asking for help or just wanted to hang out for some reason. Maybe just the one above..
While there I saw lots of western guys, usually American, Brit, Spanish, African.. Living and being like a cow in a barn.. Doing what ever they wanted disregarding of other people. This pissed me off.. alot.
issed: So, I made up my mind that I don´t want to be even close to any western people while I was there.
I only speak few words of Japanese and can introduce myself and where I'm from and talk about the weather. I didn´t want to push myself to anyone. I hate people who push themselves to me. So with that attitude, I got plenty of nice Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Filipino friends without trying. Heck, I even got a GF and we are doing very good now. She is visiting me here and future looks nice.
erfectplan:
All I'm saying, is that DON'T PUSH YOURSELVES!! Don't try too hard or you will push people away from you. Or you will get kicked to nuts.
And THINK Goddamnit! When you go to different country, RESPECT THE COUNTRY and the way people live there! Adjust yourself to the way of living in that country and you will see more people thinking less bad of you and maybe even get smiles and "Good mornings" and "Hello" etc..
More than once, I was so ashamed of myself being western guy just because other western 20-30yr idiots were doing things THEY did was funny.. Specially in trains or platforms or pushing people etc.. And I got the bad looks from Japanese because, ofcourse, I'm western too..:death: That's why I tried to stay as far away from other western people as possible.
I managed to do that for a month
And was happy. Except when going to airport at the end of my trip.. Then I started hearing all the complaining and whining..
People, don't go in to other country if you are just going to whine about something that wasn't your liking! Things happen in life and they very rarely are exactly like in the travel brochures and pictures.. Next time, stay home please! Watch Japan from Youface or read about it from Facetube or google it or rent a video damn it!
I went to Japan without ANY expectations. I had no plans(except to see my friend), enough money to survive for month, a phrasebook and clothes for few days. Must say it was the BEST trip ever!
So, open mind and DON't BE A JACKASS! And you'll do fine. :goodboy:
I am sorry for this, I had to let it out.. But now I am at peace.