Advice regarding rude people?

[KD Burke]

I preface this by saying that I do not speak from experience. However, I have read of a Japanese cultural phenomenon which may apply. I believe the term is gaijin meaning ""outside person."

I'm wondering if perhaps you are being ignored for being non-Japanese?

Not intentionally disrespectful, but perhaps a cultural issue?

I admit to ignorance on the subject, so....educate me!

[CDNSushi]

I preface this by saying that I do not speak from experience. However, I have read of a Japanese cultural phenomenon which may apply. I believe the term is gaijin meaning ""outside person."

I'm wondering if perhaps you are being ignored for being non-Japanese?

Not intentionally disrespectful, but perhaps a cultural issue?

I admit to ignorance on the subject, so....educate me!

Yes, that is definitely a big part of it. The word "gaijin" does indeed literally mean "outside person." Something that even many Japanese don't know and raise their eyebrows when I tell them, is that another Japanese person can also be a "gaijin." It used to be a term that was used in previous centuries to refer to anyone who was not in your "inside group" -- meaning your family, your company, your town or village, your community, etc.

The term for "foreigner" is "gaikokujin." It literally means "outside country person." (As an interesting aside, Japanese television, in much the same way as N. American TV *bleeps* out swear words, they*bleep* it out whenever someone says "gaijin" when they mean to refer to someone who is not Japanese)...

In any case, semantics aside, that is also a part of it -- people genuinely are afraid of talking to a non-Japanese. Much of this fear stems from their insecurity with either the prospect of having to talk English, or the foreigner not being able to understand Japanese. In terms of being the "outsider" at the college -- that may be. I'm not sure exactly how I'm viewed as far as that goes. I'd have to give it some thought! :-)


BTW, here's the Japanese breakdown of the symbols:

[Marshal Moroni]

I feel your pain. I too teach, and have a Principal who treats me as an "outside person". (Of course it's because I teach in an urban school with a 98% Hispanic population and I'm sort of you almost standard WASP (though not actually a Protestant).

I agree that the short and simple answer may be best, "No". If they want more information (like where he is) perhaps they will ask a second question (Do you know where he is?).

Best of luck and hang in there!

Marshal Moroni

[KD Burke]

In any case, semantics aside, that is also a part of it -- people genuinely are afraid of talking to a non-Japanese. Much of this fear stems from their insecurity with either the prospect of having to talk English, or the foreigner not being able to understand Japanese. In terms of being the "outsider" at the college -- that may be. I'm not sure exactly how I'm viewed as far as that goes. I'd have to give it some thought! :-)

As I pondered last evening, I couldn't help but speculate that perhaps your desire to be helpful might not be reinforcing that "otherness" that causes discomfort. Here is my line of reasoning:

As I understand it Japanese society places great emphasis on knowing one's place within society and deferring to those "senior" to you within a given context. This may be less so than in the past, but I am certain that it is far from extinct. I doubt seriously that a mid-level salary man would seek to "educate" the CEO if the latter should stop by to ask a question. He would simply reply and wait for a followup question.

Perhaps by trying to be helpful, you are exceeding the boundaries they expect you to maintain?