How do you all react – if you do at all – to the handful of disrespectful gaijin who act like Japan is their personal playland?
Every once in a while I encounter the type that see to have a distinct attitude of looking down on the country in which they reside.
Without experience I would not have guessed it would be the type it often is: chubby, colorful dyed hair, tattooed, flamboyant clothed young white people.
They come across as dissolutioned weaboo who have gone sour on Japan and affect airs of disdain and superiority as an overcompensation for being rejected, likely due to appearance and lack of manners.
I encountered a couple the other day in the combini and my wife wanted a go at them. They were the only ones not wearing masks and pretty much shoved their way through the store while giggling like teenagers about the ruckus they caused.
My inclination is to always ignore these types, but I’m wondering how often they are encountered in the wild and how you all react. I feel a weird sense of responsibility to say something but I know it’s misplaced and pointless.
I know some will take this as elitist or something, but I’ve always disliked poor behavior and lack or respect for surroundings, and it stands out that much more here in Japan.
13 comments
I’ve spoken non-maskers on the train, both gaijin and Japanese. I usually go to hand them an extra mask I keep on hand. Generally, they’ll pull their own out. However, I always consider if they appear drunk or “odd”. Don’t want set someone off. Plenty of wacky folks out there.
I just ignore them unless they address me directly. I don’t want to be associated with their behavior. If they try to enlist me in their cause I remind them they are in Japan and advise them to stop behaving badly because it reflects poorly on those of us who actually live here. I also usually mock them in Japanese for the benefit of the locals.
Is it possible they were university students or high school exchange students? Kids are morons in general, so I wouldn’t be surprised by the appearance or behavior.
Just don’t. People like this think they are the center of the universe, don’t confirm it by falling into their orbit.
Meh, not my problem. Better don’t waste time with things that bring you nothing.
Do not engage with people who act erratically. If it’s serious, call the police and they’ll contact their school or workplace to sort things out.
No, because what other people choose to say and do is not my responsibility. Just like Japanese people who behave like twats.. I just ignore them and go about my day.
First off, I don’t have a problem with “chubby, tattooed, colorful hair dyed, flamboyant clothed young people”. And I can say that as a slim, non-tattooed, brown haired, classically dressed non white person lol.
I feel like that’s a lot of assumption and judgement for a brief encounter at the convenient store. I don’t feel disdain for youngsters who are new to the country, they come from a different environment where there is no mask mandate and individuality and freedom of expression is valued over social harmony. Young people will cause a ruckus, and it will take some time for them to adapt to their new environment. All good.
But actual rude behavior like yelling at minimum wage workers, yeah I feel second hand embarrassment.
Lol just ignore them, not worth your time
Unless they’re pressing you, your people or your business, do nothing. They’re pricks but do nothing.
I actually get more annoyed at the reverse. The foreigner who’s so desperate to be seen as ‘the good one’ by Japanese who quickly jumps on any micro transgression another foreigner does. Cringe.
Get in the faces of this kind of human trash. They make me angry too… Totally disrespectful and they make us all look bad. Loudly express your disapproval and make sure the Japanese people around you see that you’re putting these weebs in their place.
Was one of them named Sam by any chance
I’m sure you have plenty of other more important things in your life to worry about. Why do you feel like you’re the ambassador that has to say something or do something?
I’m pretty sure I’d disagree with some stuff you do in social situations, but that doesn’t give me a right to do something about it, unless it puts me or my family in harm.
Just worry about yourself and your family.