Traveler´s last blog post..Re: A dose of wrong: The world’s most difficult language

Good luck with the language learning. If you have an interest, I have two short articles on what you may discover difficult and easy about learning Japanese:

http://www.homejapan.com/blog/siteowner/2008/02/whats_hard_about_learning_japanese
http://www.homejapan.com/blog/siteowner/2008/02/whats_easy_about_learning_japanese

No “OMG it’s so different!” exoticism, just some simple observations from a long-time learner. It’s good background stuff to know before jumping into lessons, IMHO.

Again, good luck!

Traveler´s last blog post..A dose of dumb: Asians can’t understand Western music

I got a chance to do it back when I was a little kid, but my mom wanted to spend the money on getting an apartment. I was disappointed, but it’s all good though.

Before I visit, I want to have a good understanding of the Japanese language both written and spoken. If I do get lost, I want to feel confident in asking a Japanese person for directions or being able to read the signs.

TheAndySan´s last blog post..Jason Becker Is In The News Again!

I have been here 1 year (and planning for well beyond) and like the other person mentioned, I also receive 1yen and 5yen coins on a regular basis…everyday!

I have a big plastic box of just those coins, I would say perhaps 2 out of 5 purchases might be a multiple of 10 but most have a 1-9 as the last digit of their price.

I do live in Kurashiki in western Japan (west of Kobe), perhaps it is a little different in the Kanto region. Those people are crazy.

well, i’m a high school student in Indonesia. japan is very interest 4 me.

wish me luck 4 da scholarship. ok guys??

Hey, JAPAN…!! Hepsa is Coming 4 you…………..!!!!!!!

I really enjoyed it.

My favorites from the list:

The food, the obsession with perfection, the girls, and public transportation.

All great things about Japan.

Now I’m going to read the counter post on why America is better than Japan.

Interesting stuff.

@ Jessica,

“it just comes across as racist and stereotypical”

I have a hard time seeing how a post about some of the things I like about Japan comes across as racist. Would you mind pointing out some specific examples of what I said that made you feel that way?

I’m also not sure what you’re considering stereotypical. Is it stereotypical to say that Japanese people generally don’t shake hands? Or is it just a fact?

“Yeah, there is a lot in Japan that is different from America. No, it isn’t that weird… no weirder than the unique things about America.”

Sure, weirdness is relative.

“But maybe it wouldn’t hurt to think about such concepts as Orientalism and realize that the exoticism of another country can be a hurtful thing.”

Do you have a blog? If so, I’d be interested to read a post about this. I definitely don’t fully understand how exoticism can be a hurtful thing.

“Many of your points are good, but some of them do come across as… well, ignorant and slightly racist. Scholars are told to take responsibility for the intellectual materials they publish… why not bloggers?”

I do think bloggers should take responsibility for what they publish, and I stand behind everything I’ve said. But I certainly don’t want to come across as ignorant and racist. In fact, these things mentioned here are things that I LIKE about Japan. Perhaps you could clarify this by citing specific examples of what I said that you consider ignorant and racist.

BTW, you said “Americans on a whole are idiots.” Don’t you think that’s stereotypical?

Yeah, there is a lot in Japan that is different from America. No, it isn’t that weird… no weirder than the unique things about America.

As Asian Studies majors at my college, we were all required to take a course where we discussed why Asia should be studied and the ways in which to study it that would not unfairly characterize their cultures. I know this is just a blog, and you may not think of the fact that what you post on the internet could have much meaning. But maybe it wouldn’t hurt to think about such concepts as Orientalism and realize that the exoticism of another country can be a hurtful thing. Many of your points are good, but some of them do come across as… well, ignorant and slightly racist. Scholars are told to take responsibility for the intellectual materials they publish… why not bloggers?