I have a situation that makes me wonder. I live around Los Angeles, California and we have a nice Japanese area around Santa Monica. In that area there is a Karaoke Box studio. I go there a LOT with my friends -Japanese or otherwise-.
Lately though, I've been getting "looks" from the asian customers that go there, and I don't mean just glances. I mean full on STARES; ones that make you think you're not allowed to be there.
Why is it that people automatically give you rude glares for being white in an "asian" area. Everyone treats you differently, like when I sing Karaoke the workers don't give me Japanese books sometimes even though I ask for them. I wonder why they treat people of a different race that way (the asian -Japanese- population) when we (non asians) don't make a big deal about them speaking English (if they don't come from this country).
I don't like being laughed at and pointed at when I go to an area that I like. It's not like it says Japanese only on the doors.
Sorry, I was rambling. I hope it makes sense!
Lately though, I've been getting "looks" from the asian customers that go there, and I don't mean just glances. I mean full on STARES; ones that make you think you're not allowed to be there.
Why is it that people automatically give you rude glares for being white in an "asian" area. Everyone treats you differently, like when I sing Karaoke the workers don't give me Japanese books sometimes even though I ask for them. I wonder why they treat people of a different race that way (the asian -Japanese- population) when we (non asians) don't make a big deal about them speaking English (if they don't come from this country).
I don't like being laughed at and pointed at when I go to an area that I like. It's not like it says Japanese only on the doors.
Sorry, I was rambling. I hope it makes sense!
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コメント(31)
I fully understand your point.
I'm an Asian who live in Sweden and as you can assume, all the people around me are tall, blonde and blue eyed. (exaggerated lol)
Although I go to an international school, i am one of the very few asians there around my age, and all my friends are caucasians.
I guess race is visually the first thing you define in a person, and it is inevitable to make people stop looking at you in that sense. If you are in a so called Japanese society in LA, I'm not surprised if you stand out. You just can't help that.
However, what you could do is just ignore, which is what I usually do, but if your brave enough (unlike me) it might be worth trying to communicate. We are all human beings if you think about it that way.
I'm an Asian who live in Sweden and as you can assume, all the people around me are tall, blonde and blue eyed. (exaggerated lol)
Although I go to an international school, i am one of the very few asians there around my age, and all my friends are caucasians.
I guess race is visually the first thing you define in a person, and it is inevitable to make people stop looking at you in that sense. If you are in a so called Japanese society in LA, I'm not surprised if you stand out. You just can't help that.
However, what you could do is just ignore, which is what I usually do, but if your brave enough (unlike me) it might be worth trying to communicate. We are all human beings if you think about it that way.
Yes, that's not only in J-town, though.
I experience that whenever I go to
any area that's dominantly a particular race.
I am a second generation Japanese American.
I was born and raised here in LA(...county).
Yet, I still get, " You're English is really good."
and I reply, "oh, I was born and raised here."
I dunno, maybe I have a bad Japanese accent or
something.
Anywayz, I was culture shocked when I went to
Shinjuku about 3 years ago and found
a "NO Chinese allowed" on several restaurants.
So I'm thinking if they allow such a thing,
in general the Japanese society is pretty ignorant
about racial issues and like to keep everything
to themselves. Hence, the staring and the rudeness.
America, especially LA has many many different
races. So I find it that people are generally more
accepting of people of different color and language.
America is a land of immigrants.
But Japan is not.
So when Japanese are able to create their
"tiny island" in the States, maybe their
bad, "i want to keep everything to myself"
side comes out.
It's kinda sad that I'm stereotyping "my people"
but I can't help it!
I get "Are you stupid?" look when I visit
Japan and ask for directions or how
to ride the train. And I'm thinking that's
because I look Japanese.
But りかぴょん、
I'm sorry the ignorant Japanese people
had to ruin your fun karaoke time like that.
That sort of attitude/action shouldn't be
tolerated. If that ever happens in front of me,
I'll say something.
I experience that whenever I go to
any area that's dominantly a particular race.
I am a second generation Japanese American.
I was born and raised here in LA(...county).
Yet, I still get, " You're English is really good."
and I reply, "oh, I was born and raised here."
I dunno, maybe I have a bad Japanese accent or
something.
Anywayz, I was culture shocked when I went to
Shinjuku about 3 years ago and found
a "NO Chinese allowed" on several restaurants.
So I'm thinking if they allow such a thing,
in general the Japanese society is pretty ignorant
about racial issues and like to keep everything
to themselves. Hence, the staring and the rudeness.
America, especially LA has many many different
races. So I find it that people are generally more
accepting of people of different color and language.
America is a land of immigrants.
But Japan is not.
So when Japanese are able to create their
"tiny island" in the States, maybe their
bad, "i want to keep everything to myself"
side comes out.
It's kinda sad that I'm stereotyping "my people"
but I can't help it!
I get "Are you stupid?" look when I visit
Japan and ask for directions or how
to ride the train. And I'm thinking that's
because I look Japanese.
But りかぴょん、
I'm sorry the ignorant Japanese people
had to ruin your fun karaoke time like that.
That sort of attitude/action shouldn't be
tolerated. If that ever happens in front of me,
I'll say something.
I can see myself surprised if I were to see a Caucasian customer at the Karaoke bar that I frequent, simply because we hardly ever see white folks there. I, however, wouldn't give them a rude look as if to say it's not place for them.
Sadly, some Asians seem to feel that their own area is invaded by the outsiders when they see non-Asian people where they consider an Asian territory, such as Chinatowns. Even some of my Japanese friends openly tell me they don't like to see white people in Chinatown here (Seattle) because "they just don't belong there." :(
Sadly, some Asians seem to feel that their own area is invaded by the outsiders when they see non-Asian people where they consider an Asian territory, such as Chinatowns. Even some of my Japanese friends openly tell me they don't like to see white people in Chinatown here (Seattle) because "they just don't belong there." :(
i understand how you feel. it sucks because you're there doing that stuff because you LIKE it, so they shouldn't be offended - you would expect them to behave somewhat opposite, like maybe flattered or grateful that even "outsiders" like the stuff they've got set up.
on the other hand, sometimes i'm in little tokyo or some other Japanese area and i see some of THOSE kids and even though i'm not japanese, i wish they weren't there. Maybe you know the type of kids i'm talking about. Maybe it just embarasses me to be there at the same time as them because people might think we are similar (since we're similar in the sense that we're non-japanese). I don't want to be associated with that type.
The type of kids i'm talking about are the chubby kids that obviously spend 90% of their time online on message boards typing like "LoL ^-^ V KawaII (cute)", downloading Gackt and wishing all day and night that they were japanese. Then they group up and barge into japanese areas, particularly areas with video games or purikura, and just american-asshole-ize the place up, all the while being completely enthralled with every little piece of anything from japan - objects or people likewise. I know that i don't like seeing them in those areas because i feel guilty by association. I can only guess as to why the japanese might feel grossed out. Part of it probably has to do with the feeling that they're being creepily worshipped and mimicked for no reason at all by those kids. And from what i know, the general japanese mentality is more humble than american, so they're probably not thinking, "we are so much better than this person", they're probably thinking, "what is the ulterior motive for this person to come here, out of their element? Since they are not japanese, what would possibly draw them on down here to a japanese area?" It probably seems weird.
on the other hand, sometimes i'm in little tokyo or some other Japanese area and i see some of THOSE kids and even though i'm not japanese, i wish they weren't there. Maybe you know the type of kids i'm talking about. Maybe it just embarasses me to be there at the same time as them because people might think we are similar (since we're similar in the sense that we're non-japanese). I don't want to be associated with that type.
The type of kids i'm talking about are the chubby kids that obviously spend 90% of their time online on message boards typing like "LoL ^-^ V KawaII (cute)", downloading Gackt and wishing all day and night that they were japanese. Then they group up and barge into japanese areas, particularly areas with video games or purikura, and just american-asshole-ize the place up, all the while being completely enthralled with every little piece of anything from japan - objects or people likewise. I know that i don't like seeing them in those areas because i feel guilty by association. I can only guess as to why the japanese might feel grossed out. Part of it probably has to do with the feeling that they're being creepily worshipped and mimicked for no reason at all by those kids. And from what i know, the general japanese mentality is more humble than american, so they're probably not thinking, "we are so much better than this person", they're probably thinking, "what is the ulterior motive for this person to come here, out of their element? Since they are not japanese, what would possibly draw them on down here to a japanese area?" It probably seems weird.
I dunno, I go to Japanese areas and restaurants in NYC all the time (the kind that you don't see westerners at much) and I never get stared at. I also just came back from a trip to three separate parts of Japan and I never got stared at there either.
Sometimes I think people are just a little hyper-sensitive and/or paranoid. Just relax. Nobody's staring at you. If you're self-conscious about being the only caucasian around, then of course you're going to think everybody's staring at you. And maybe being so obviously self-conscious will *make* people stare at you. It's just like how some girls think everybody's calling them fat behind their back, when the truth is nobody could care less about the way they look - until they start worrying so much about it.
Yes I know all about Japan being a closed society and blah blah blah; so what? Act like you belong and you'll be treated like you belong. Act like an outsider and you'll be treated that way too.
Sometimes I think people are just a little hyper-sensitive and/or paranoid. Just relax. Nobody's staring at you. If you're self-conscious about being the only caucasian around, then of course you're going to think everybody's staring at you. And maybe being so obviously self-conscious will *make* people stare at you. It's just like how some girls think everybody's calling them fat behind their back, when the truth is nobody could care less about the way they look - until they start worrying so much about it.
Yes I know all about Japan being a closed society and blah blah blah; so what? Act like you belong and you'll be treated like you belong. Act like an outsider and you'll be treated that way too.
The Situation is Japan is very controversial. We are not really wanted here and I strongly believe so. I face this situation almost everyday at work and of course in everyday life too. I guess foreigners in Japan like myself love this place so much that we have to put up with situations like these. I remember numerous times were Japanese people talk badly about me right in my face because they simply think and believe we cannot speak their language and thus we do not understand. When I get angry and I tell them what did you say about me. They just smile and say oh probably you missunderstood the topic. What I always enjoy telling them though is that at the end of the the day if it was not for the so called Gaijins supporting your economy you would be in a situation worse than Cambodia. No offense to Cambodian people. Ignoring them is not a way to live a normal life .And Mr Jeff I can assure you the more you try to behave like Japanese the more they consider competition and the more they hate you. Trust me on this.
hey, i get that everywhere i go cause i'm a halfy.
if you don't like it one thing you could do is stare right back at them. it works with japanese ossan really well. chinese ladies are a bit harder though i find... approaching them makes them feel uncomfortable, but they still won't stop staring.
experament!
but i know what you mean. i was used to it until i moved to vancouver. it's soooooo multicultural here. i better get used to it again soon tho...
if you don't like it one thing you could do is stare right back at them. it works with japanese ossan really well. chinese ladies are a bit harder though i find... approaching them makes them feel uncomfortable, but they still won't stop staring.
experament!
but i know what you mean. i was used to it until i moved to vancouver. it's soooooo multicultural here. i better get used to it again soon tho...
That is true. The best thing to do is stare back at them. What confuses Japanese so much and I love it is if you are wearing shades. Especially at night and you are on the train. They cannot see your eyes so the ones with the gaijin complex start panicking thinking you are staring at them non stop. Try it is kinda fun
I get that whenever I go to a store catered to and run by the same minority. For instance, when I go into the Korean and Vietnamese run video stores and markets in my hometown all conversation stops when I enter. It isn't unique to Japanese establishments in CA. I wonder if they think I'm gonna contaminate them with my whiteness. Or, steal something.
I get stared at a lot when I go into Irish pubs in NYC. Why is that? And when I visit Johannesberg I get the same crap.
One time when I was in South Bend Indiana got the same thing from a busload of children.
White people are the worst racists (especially Americans) since they say they are not racist, but they are subtle about it. I get a lot of- This is my Japanese friend... to which i can only say, I'm just a friend, or actually was a friend....
I don't introduce anyone as -This is my gaijin friend, or caucasian buddy....
> at the end of the the day if it was not for the so called Gaijins supporting your economy you would be in a situation worse than Cambodia. No offense to Cambodian people. Ignoring them is not a way to live a normal life .And Mr Jeff I can assure you the more you try to behave like Japanese the more they consider competition and the more they hate you. Trust me on this.
Cambodia has nothing to export, so no one buys anything.
Also, I am sure most Japanese don't consider a foreigner thrying to be Japanese as competition. More like isn't that quaint.
Wearing shades at night is just plain stupid.
One time when I was in South Bend Indiana got the same thing from a busload of children.
White people are the worst racists (especially Americans) since they say they are not racist, but they are subtle about it. I get a lot of- This is my Japanese friend... to which i can only say, I'm just a friend, or actually was a friend....
I don't introduce anyone as -This is my gaijin friend, or caucasian buddy....
> at the end of the the day if it was not for the so called Gaijins supporting your economy you would be in a situation worse than Cambodia. No offense to Cambodian people. Ignoring them is not a way to live a normal life .And Mr Jeff I can assure you the more you try to behave like Japanese the more they consider competition and the more they hate you. Trust me on this.
Cambodia has nothing to export, so no one buys anything.
Also, I am sure most Japanese don't consider a foreigner thrying to be Japanese as competition. More like isn't that quaint.
Wearing shades at night is just plain stupid.
りかぴょん>
If getting stared is the worst treatment you've ever received just because you're a white person visiting a karaoke joint in LA's J-town, consider yourself lucky.
Sure, it's annoying / uncomfortable, but there's plenty of other people from other ethnic groups who live here in the US that get treated a whole lot worst on a daily basis.
If getting stared is the worst treatment you've ever received just because you're a white person visiting a karaoke joint in LA's J-town, consider yourself lucky.
Sure, it's annoying / uncomfortable, but there's plenty of other people from other ethnic groups who live here in the US that get treated a whole lot worst on a daily basis.
Cohiba
Maybe for you is plain stupid but some people dont like the light. No matter what you say. Japanese economy would die simply if people did not buy their exports. Get yourfacts straight before you jump in conclusion. I am not American but as an example without them Japan would be nothing. I still recall many clubs and onsens or bla bla bla saying no Gaijins allowed. Also when looking for a house a got a couple of times the comment sorry no Gaijin no pet. Now any democratic country would have closed these places down. And please dont get me wrong I love Japan but they have many flaws regarding multiculturalism.
Maybe for you is plain stupid but some people dont like the light. No matter what you say. Japanese economy would die simply if people did not buy their exports. Get yourfacts straight before you jump in conclusion. I am not American but as an example without them Japan would be nothing. I still recall many clubs and onsens or bla bla bla saying no Gaijins allowed. Also when looking for a house a got a couple of times the comment sorry no Gaijin no pet. Now any democratic country would have closed these places down. And please dont get me wrong I love Japan but they have many flaws regarding multiculturalism.
I agree completely with Jeff's comments. It sounds a bit like the poster is generally a bit oversensitive about this thing. Oh, I have no doubt that he/she might get SOME stares, for sure, but I would bet for the most part they are happy to get the business, regardless of whom it is from.
I get stared at all the time in Japan, for sure, but that's part of being physically different (well, in terms of skin/eye colour) in a country that is largely homogenous. Once in a while a restaurant will give me an English menu, even though I can speak/read Japanese fluently -- but how and why should they know that? They are just trying to be accomodating... and there are plenty who would complain if there were no English menus.
So yeah, as Jeff mentioned, just relax and take it in stride. I'm sure you'll be fine, and people are going to let you be. If some stare, hell, let them; you're none the worse for it.
I get stared at all the time in Japan, for sure, but that's part of being physically different (well, in terms of skin/eye colour) in a country that is largely homogenous. Once in a while a restaurant will give me an English menu, even though I can speak/read Japanese fluently -- but how and why should they know that? They are just trying to be accomodating... and there are plenty who would complain if there were no English menus.
So yeah, as Jeff mentioned, just relax and take it in stride. I'm sure you'll be fine, and people are going to let you be. If some stare, hell, let them; you're none the worse for it.
As Jeff said before, I guess you were a bit too self-conscious of being a white in Asian town. I am sure they were not staring and laughing at you, because of the reason you were not welcome!
(maybe they were looking at you because you were HOT hahhah)
We (asian) may treat people with different looks differently, but it does not always mean negative. We may envy because you are different from us.
We all have same black hair and eyes colour so we are more sensitive at people who are different from us than any other races. It is Japanese or Asian culture!!!
Once I have asked my English teacher why people discriminated others. She answered "coz people are comfortable with being with people who are similar". I thought it would make sense.
It always happens everywhere throughout the world. As long as there are races, this issue never disappear. Do not worry so much! You are not the only the person who has felt discriminated. I have also experienced!!! (Probably I was too self-conscious too!)
In fact, I am happy hearing voices that soo many people from different countries like Japanese culture. (coz I often hear people saying Japanese people are weird….) Well… I probably should stop writing. Thank you for all of you who read my poor English. Hope it makes sense;-p
(maybe they were looking at you because you were HOT hahhah)
We (asian) may treat people with different looks differently, but it does not always mean negative. We may envy because you are different from us.
We all have same black hair and eyes colour so we are more sensitive at people who are different from us than any other races. It is Japanese or Asian culture!!!
Once I have asked my English teacher why people discriminated others. She answered "coz people are comfortable with being with people who are similar". I thought it would make sense.
It always happens everywhere throughout the world. As long as there are races, this issue never disappear. Do not worry so much! You are not the only the person who has felt discriminated. I have also experienced!!! (Probably I was too self-conscious too!)
In fact, I am happy hearing voices that soo many people from different countries like Japanese culture. (coz I often hear people saying Japanese people are weird….) Well… I probably should stop writing. Thank you for all of you who read my poor English. Hope it makes sense;-p
I suppose it's only a matter of time until the genetic pool begins to mix in Japan... eventually, they will have to face the fact that Japan will become a truly multicultural and multiracial society, as more foreigners marry and live in Japan. When this happens, people's attitude will gradually change....
Thanks for the responses, everyone. I just have self-esteem issues which leads me to be a bit paranoid when people look at me. It's stupid, I know ^^;;;.
Christine >>I feel that way too, it seems isolated and I wish it weren't. Maybe just for the fact that it closes their buisness to some degree (closes like losing money?).
Sean>> I know EXACTLY what you mean. I used to be one of those when I was 12, but I am over it. I hate people thinking I'm like those when I buy a certain manga or CD. Just because I like the culture doesn't mean I'm an Otakin, lol.
Chieri si que vale! >> I'm stealing that line when I go to Japan next summer, haha!
Jeff>> This was actually my first real "staring down" experience. Whenever I go to a Kinokuniya, all I get are glances. Heck, even when I went to Japan, people just looked for a second and walked on. It was just more strange to get stared at in AMERICA. Maybe I am over-sensitive, but it was just strange.
ケイトりん♡ >> White People germs. Ewww. LOL
cohiba>> White people can be racists, it's true. So can Black, Indian, and Hispanic people. Though I bet if I got on a bus full of children in Japan I'd be stared at too ;).
Pr0digalS0n>> Like I said, it was strange because even in Japan I'd get less stares. It was more shocking because I was in my "own" country.
ブロンコー >> That's nice to know! Hopefully I'll be around (somehow) to experience that. LOL...
DanceSt☆r >>Wow, I thought I was the only one that went there, hahaha.
Christine >>I feel that way too, it seems isolated and I wish it weren't. Maybe just for the fact that it closes their buisness to some degree (closes like losing money?).
Sean>> I know EXACTLY what you mean. I used to be one of those when I was 12, but I am over it. I hate people thinking I'm like those when I buy a certain manga or CD. Just because I like the culture doesn't mean I'm an Otakin, lol.
Chieri si que vale! >> I'm stealing that line when I go to Japan next summer, haha!
Jeff>> This was actually my first real "staring down" experience. Whenever I go to a Kinokuniya, all I get are glances. Heck, even when I went to Japan, people just looked for a second and walked on. It was just more strange to get stared at in AMERICA. Maybe I am over-sensitive, but it was just strange.
ケイトりん♡ >> White People germs. Ewww. LOL
cohiba>> White people can be racists, it's true. So can Black, Indian, and Hispanic people. Though I bet if I got on a bus full of children in Japan I'd be stared at too ;).
Pr0digalS0n>> Like I said, it was strange because even in Japan I'd get less stares. It was more shocking because I was in my "own" country.
ブロンコー >> That's nice to know! Hopefully I'll be around (somehow) to experience that. LOL...
DanceSt☆r >>Wow, I thought I was the only one that went there, hahaha.
15>Now any democratic country would have closed these places down.
It took 200 years of Democracy for the US to eliminate segregation, and racsim still lives on (it is more ingrained). Japan has been a democracy (not really) for 50 years. Give it another 140....
There are places in Europe that won't allow minorities too. But Europe is really backwater so I don't really concern myself with the old country.
It took 200 years of Democracy for the US to eliminate segregation, and racsim still lives on (it is more ingrained). Japan has been a democracy (not really) for 50 years. Give it another 140....
There are places in Europe that won't allow minorities too. But Europe is really backwater so I don't really concern myself with the old country.
Maybe they were staring at you for different reasons.
Are you dorky looking? Where you wearing something strange? Haha....
But seriously, I've never had such an experience. I'm half, but I've never seen such a reaction with my white friends either. I do, however, have one white friend who feels like everyone is staring at her when we go to "asian" restaurants even though they are clearly not. And I'm the kind of person that would see such stares...
I tell her she's paranoid and imaging things.
Are you dorky looking? Where you wearing something strange? Haha....
But seriously, I've never had such an experience. I'm half, but I've never seen such a reaction with my white friends either. I do, however, have one white friend who feels like everyone is staring at her when we go to "asian" restaurants even though they are clearly not. And I'm the kind of person that would see such stares...
I tell her she's paranoid and imaging things.
I don't think foreigners would mind being talked by Japanese people... as long as the gaijin isn't surrounded by 4 or 5 japanese already!!
But if you see a gaijin walking alone on the street, or you can see that he is not in a hurry, then normally a gaijin guy would have absolutely no problem in having a quick chat with a japanese. But I think gaijin women might be a little more cautious, if japanese men are approaching them, so maybe you should be more careful if it's a gaijin woman. But with guys it should be perfectly ok. I personally wouldn't mind, as long as I was not in a hurry to go somewhere, and was not surrounded by 3 or 4 japanese friends already.
But if you see a gaijin walking alone on the street, or you can see that he is not in a hurry, then normally a gaijin guy would have absolutely no problem in having a quick chat with a japanese. But I think gaijin women might be a little more cautious, if japanese men are approaching them, so maybe you should be more careful if it's a gaijin woman. But with guys it should be perfectly ok. I personally wouldn't mind, as long as I was not in a hurry to go somewhere, and was not surrounded by 3 or 4 japanese friends already.
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