- Joined
- Jan 1, 2025
Being a foreigner in Japan is like a superpower when you get down to it. You're not expected to understand Japanese concepts and are often times given a bit more leeway. And it doesn't hurt that when a stupid gaijin messes up it's down to them being a stupid gaijin who wasn't lucky enough to be born a true and honest Nihonjin. It actually makes the Japanese feel better in a way.
You can be the perpetual foreigner. The Japanese will treat you like a celebrity and compliment your eyes and your Japanese speaking skills. You can be autistic and say and do silly things and you'll be forgiven because you're just a uneducated but well-meaning gaijin. Your friends, if any, are other gaijins in the metro area. You will never be Japanese and they will never consider you one. Due to social isolation, you will kill yourself like Byuu.
You can be the naturalized foreigner. The Japanese will treat you as one of their own, and that includes participating in socially enforced behaviors like honne, tatemae and staying late at the office because your boss hasn't left yet. Due to your deep understanding of the language and Japanese society and culture, you can see it all for what it is, warts and all. Due to excess amounts of jadedness and cynicism, you will become like Dogen, but instead of leveraging your knowledge into a successful YouTube channel, you will kill yourself.
Which way, Gaijin man?