Japanese people on "Weeaboos"

Discussion in 'Japan Forum: Living there or planning a visit.' started by GodofHardcore, Apr 7, 2016.

  1. GodofHardcore

    GodofHardcore Paragon of the Forum

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    They're far less harsh on them then us westerners are. Good Watch

     
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  2. dark

    dark Intrepid Member

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    I think that's ok. If I met a Japanese person who was super into American pop culture and wanted to put me, as an American, on a pedestal, that probably wouldn't rub me the wrong way.

    I suppose it differs depending on the person, but what is distinct to me about weeaboos versus other types of Japanophiles, and which I did not like about certain people I knew in real life that I would consider "weeaboos", was the snob/jerk factor ("I know a lot more about this than you") combined with an unrelenting attitude that anything (items, practices, services, attitudes) were better in Japan than the US, and that this topic would be injected into any conversation, including conversations that did not have anything to do with Japan. I have no problems with anyone who is into Japanese things or even wishes they were Japanese, and I have no problem talking about Japanese things, but what rubs me the wrong way is not treating me with respect as a conversational partner and riding roughshod over every conversation with a "Japan is the best" or "I am the best" theme, and that was my experience with certain people I've had the displeasure of knowing irl (I probably met a lot more people like this than a typical person because I majored in Japanese in college).
     
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  3. Vosse

    Vosse Well Known Member

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    Reading the comments on this video, results in a surprising amount of bigotry and derogatory statements towards people who simply identify with a certain term with affection. Or just happen to enjoy something like Anime, a lot or even a little.. (And i'm not even talking about myself here. Just people coming out of the woodwork to sling crap at other people for the sake of it.)

    Should I be surprised though?

    I probably shouldn't.


    I do agree with this though.
     
  4. GodofHardcore

    GodofHardcore Paragon of the Forum

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    One thing about Weeaboos that they totally missed the mark on is how so many just get aspects of Japanese culture wrong. I went to a panel at a Convention once and saw what is basically called "Two white girls make tea' but it was supposed to be about the Japanese tea Ceremony, and even if they just checked Wikipedia they'd have some idea how it's done.

    Still it's interesting to see what Japanese people think about Weeaboos.

    A good follow up to that video is the one on Otaku.

     
  5. metalman

    metalman Rising Member

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    Weeaboos embarrass me I've got to break this news to all weeaboos you were not born in Japan you are not Japanses and you will never be Japanese so fucking stop pretending to be something you are not and this is coming from someone is into anime and manga but I don't pretend to be something I'm not.
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2016
  6. GodofHardcore

    GodofHardcore Paragon of the Forum

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    Way to completely miss the point of this thread.
     
  7. ASSEMbler

    ASSEMbler Administrator

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    I think people have a hard time understanding how they are thinking. The answers are really quite predictable.

    Some Japanese will feel uneasy even with casual western gestures like raised eyebrows or furrowed eyebrows.
    Winking could be misunderstood as a sexual advance, even walking around with my sleeves rolled up has gotten me
    a polite chat. A Japanese person could walk around half naked, but a foreigner with muscular arms with his sleeves rolled
    up is cause for a chat and "kind" suggestion. I also got tired of random people grabbing at my arms without even permission,
    somehow grabbing on me was 100% acceptable but if I did that to someone Japanese I'd probably be shunned socially.

    My Japanese friends feel more like customers, with the product being appropriately packaged friendship
    and activities. That being said, as long as you conform to the standards they abide by, the Japanese can be incredibly generous people who give time and money freely when it is needed. You would think that they would do favors or tasks, but it seems they prefer cash so as to not embarrass you by accidentally encountering a weakness / problem that would harm your honor. It's in consideration of you, and a lot of
    foreigners see it as disdain for them. The lack of "bro" feeling as you expect it in the west is a hard thing for me personally. It's so vastly
    different that I don't really grasp it fully nor know how to get that kind of status. I don't think I ever will get it, as they seem to unconsciously
    limit themselves when I am around. Why they do it, I don't know.

    As to money gifts, as someone from the U.S. it's 100% awkward and hard to deal with. People giving you money in the states is seen
    as sort of an admission of weakness or incompetence. People do favors to avoid giving money; barn building, house raisings, etc.
    In Japan it seems to be the complete opposite, if you were in the hospital they would never ask or pry and by giving a gift of money it prevents the nature of the problem from ever causing you loss of face. Simply put, money erases the chance of them seeing anything shameful for your sake.
     
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  8. metalman

    metalman Rising Member

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    That's why I had that little rant about weeaboos take me for as an example I'm a Brit I know very little about how things are done in Japan and I Don't pretend to.
     
  9. GodofHardcore

    GodofHardcore Paragon of the Forum

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    Japanese people reacting to weeaboos....

    Spoiler: They don't react poorly to them.
     
  10. Eviltaco64

    Eviltaco64 or your money back

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    I feel bad for this kid
     
  11. Ouja

    Ouja Active Member

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    Personally I have nothing against Weeaboo's, unless they are the psychotic fan type that act all anime and kawaii and insist on using desu mixed with English or any other language than Japanese. But I guess you can say that about anyone who is fanatical about anything. But if someone was a Finn weeaboo, first I'd ask why? Second, I'd probably just give the person a thumbs up.

    Now that's a good, insightful peek into what it's like to live in Japan as a foreigner. I had no idea that it could be like that. I can kinda see it however. As a Finn, we are not really known for our outward personalities either, we just don't mask it behind politeness and might seem rather sullen and morose. Touching out of the blue, even a friendly tap on the back, will cause confusion at best and outright weirdness at worst. Also, you'd know you've achieved bro status if you get invited to a sauna and afterwards to get blind drunk (pants are optional after this point and is known as kalsarikännit or getting drunk in your underpants), but chances are nobody would ever flat out and say it.
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2016
  12. Yakumo

    Yakumo Moderator Staff Member

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    Oh man, those two Japanese guys are really taking the piss out of him. It may be considered sad buy hey, if that's what David likes then that's what he likes. Some could say the same about us and games I guess.
     
  13. Eviltaco64

    Eviltaco64 or your money back

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    Seeing someone like that get kicked down is just painful to watch - especially seeing how friendly he acts the whole time. I would guess that he receives this sort of treatment on both sides of the ocean way more often than he deserves it.
     
  14. Vosse

    Vosse Well Known Member

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    That 2nd video "As long as they don't cause trouble they will be fine"

    And that's where the line should be drawn. As long as they aren't being rude, obnoxiously arrogant or causing any kind of trouble, then leave them alone.

    Ridiculing , bullying or shaming them or trying to "educate" them. Isn't going to really change anything. Especially overnight.
    Exactly.

    People just go out of their way to be awful as much as they can just for the most asinine and inconsequential things like different interests, level of interest in any given subject or whatever.
     
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  15. GodofHardcore

    GodofHardcore Paragon of the Forum

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    Any excuse to post Filthy Frank (of whom Yuta who made the videos I posted is a fan of) I'll take.

     
  16. ultimaterockman

    ultimaterockman Member

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    In reality the subtitles make them look worse than they actually are.
    https://nihone.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/in-defense-of-david-kun-part-i-of-ii/
    Sure, they are making fun of him for a bit, but not as bad as the subtitles make it out to be.
    Wow, I actually didn't know about that. Humanoids are such interesting creatures, aren't they?;)
     
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2016

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