Same in English: I'll start with myself: I used to date a Japanese guy who was a freeter when we met. But somewhen he got employed at an airport as a sort of "kaishain", and as this had been his dream I tried to be supportive of it. Only, he got really busy through this, and I always wanted to meet him more than he could and told him "I want to meet you" a lot. It seems to me now that this had been a lot of pressure to him. Also he was late a lot and I was mad at him because of this. Somewhen he just stopped contacting me or accepting my calls ... :-(
Looking at this now, it seems that I shouldn't have cast so much pressure on him... if it was a European guy, he'd probably appreciated my "I want to meet more" as a sign that I loved him, and still been able to take time for himself. But maybe Japanese, or at least this guy, felt as I voiced my wish to meet so often, it must have been really strong, and felt guilty cause he couldn't fulfill it. I probably should have been a bit more patient and try to think about what he wanted and needed instead of expecting him to tell me actively like a European guy would have... What does everybody think about this analysis?
You should have been a little more patient maybe, but I definitely can understand your feelings. My Husband and I just got married so I came to stay with him (we were together in USA but now he got a job in Japan). At first, I was the same as you about him coming home so late. We just don't have to face these problems in USA (where I am from). The only time we think of men coming home late in USA is rare occasions where there is an important project OR when a man is with another woman. Also, a man in USA does not go out drinking after work unless he does not want to go home or again it is just on occasion. They are not such common occurences as everyday life in Japan.
Needless to say, I was really upset the first month. I could not be happy, but slowly I became happier when he came home at night, even if it was late. It just took some time to get used to.
Anyway, these days we are fine.
Some problems we have are about humor. Although comedy seems to be a masculine thing in USA or a rarity among women in USA, I love to joke, but my Husband does not like it. I mean, sometimes he laughs, but only when the joke is not about him.
Anyone else have problems with comedy??
I do love some Japanese comedians so I know there is humor in Japan that I like, but mostly, I do not find my Husband's jokes funny either. They don't make me mad, but I am the kind of person who cannot fake laughing. Therefore I just look like a jerk.