Comment on How 2 B AzN by montyoum
I like your reasoning using the game industry as an anchor point. And actually I have to fully agree with you in this matter.
Having a japanese girlfriend and staying in Japan several times, I could see, feel and sometimes even get used a bit to the japanese (or much more generalized: asian) way of thinking, behaving and reasoning. Japanese culture and social life is a lot about harmony and no offense. Western is about discussion, bullying and elbows up.
Stereotypes get strong this time, with the successful crusade of well chosen and adapted asian culture bits 'n' pieces. For example Anime and Manga styles, including T-Shirt and Chinese Kanji Tattoos. Lots of people, I guess, don't understand the message or behavior of characters in Animes or Mangas (and I won't exclude myself here). They don't get the "School-Uniform" thing, or why Heros in general die in stories. (good example for dying Heros is the Final Fantasy Series)
The less they understand, the more they show, how much fan they really are. Blubber japanese phrases out of context, or tell you how much they watched and what they did. And, honestly, I was a bit like the same when I was young. But everything changed years ago, when I started stayed with my gf.
I don't know much about americans people behaviour... I would just blah out some stereotypes here, which are commonly known. But I would never categorize asians as lacking character. Asians don't talk much about themselves, true. They just don't want to be in the middle of a discussion. After years of knowing them, you can come across their true selves. And I have to admit, that from the people I have met in Japan, I was astonished, how my first impression, and my impression now differ so strikingly. How they open up more and more towards me, like a flower blooming.
Americans tend to be more surfaced, they can talk easily about all sorts of things, but know nothing. They tell you what they have, what they earn and how much gasoline their car uses, just to impress. American people have freedom? Show me. I just read that cheaters in America's Army (Recruiting game for the US Army) will be prosecuted by the FBI and have to fear a prison sentence up to LIFE-TIME! Not allowed to smoke or drink a beer in public. In some states not allowed to show physical contact with your girlfriend, or "worse", gay friend. I guess there are hundreds of examples for a free country, which lives in it's illusion of ultimate freedom, not recognizing how less they already have. But this is clearly not your journals topic.
Anyway.
I stopped trying to be an asian years ago, as I never can be even close to being one. I just try to learn from them, being modesty and more calm and supportive to others. Something I watched closely when staying with my girlfriend. The last thing of imposing is my nickname here. But as long as she calls me like that, it will remain.
Having a japanese girlfriend and staying in Japan several times, I could see, feel and sometimes even get used a bit to the japanese (or much more generalized: asian) way of thinking, behaving and reasoning. Japanese culture and social life is a lot about harmony and no offense. Western is about discussion, bullying and elbows up.
Stereotypes get strong this time, with the successful crusade of well chosen and adapted asian culture bits 'n' pieces. For example Anime and Manga styles, including T-Shirt and Chinese Kanji Tattoos. Lots of people, I guess, don't understand the message or behavior of characters in Animes or Mangas (and I won't exclude myself here). They don't get the "School-Uniform" thing, or why Heros in general die in stories. (good example for dying Heros is the Final Fantasy Series)
The less they understand, the more they show, how much fan they really are. Blubber japanese phrases out of context, or tell you how much they watched and what they did. And, honestly, I was a bit like the same when I was young. But everything changed years ago, when I started stayed with my gf.
I don't know much about americans people behaviour... I would just blah out some stereotypes here, which are commonly known. But I would never categorize asians as lacking character. Asians don't talk much about themselves, true. They just don't want to be in the middle of a discussion. After years of knowing them, you can come across their true selves. And I have to admit, that from the people I have met in Japan, I was astonished, how my first impression, and my impression now differ so strikingly. How they open up more and more towards me, like a flower blooming.
Americans tend to be more surfaced, they can talk easily about all sorts of things, but know nothing. They tell you what they have, what they earn and how much gasoline their car uses, just to impress. American people have freedom? Show me. I just read that cheaters in America's Army (Recruiting game for the US Army) will be prosecuted by the FBI and have to fear a prison sentence up to LIFE-TIME! Not allowed to smoke or drink a beer in public. In some states not allowed to show physical contact with your girlfriend, or "worse", gay friend. I guess there are hundreds of examples for a free country, which lives in it's illusion of ultimate freedom, not recognizing how less they already have. But this is clearly not your journals topic.
Anyway.
I stopped trying to be an asian years ago, as I never can be even close to being one. I just try to learn from them, being modesty and more calm and supportive to others. Something I watched closely when staying with my girlfriend. The last thing of imposing is my nickname here. But as long as she calls me like that, it will remain.
The long responses are always the best ones...
I geuss we can agree that we generally agree. I don't typically seek out people who share my oppinions, but at the same time it's nice to know I'm not alone. I guess any further discussion on the said topic will just be more of us reinforcing our already self established ideas. I try to practice not being so rock solid in my beliefs.
But I'll tell you one thing, I get a feeling that some of the best Eastern stories are about a foreigner who brings a fresh oppinion to a working, well established people. (Tidus in ffx)
(btw I of course only speculate cause I can only point out 2 japanese stories of the top of my head that fit in that category.)
such, from what I can tell, applies to you and some of my closest friends.
I geuss we can agree that we generally agree. I don't typically seek out people who share my oppinions, but at the same time it's nice to know I'm not alone. I guess any further discussion on the said topic will just be more of us reinforcing our already self established ideas. I try to practice not being so rock solid in my beliefs.
But I'll tell you one thing, I get a feeling that some of the best Eastern stories are about a foreigner who brings a fresh oppinion to a working, well established people. (Tidus in ffx)
(btw I of course only speculate cause I can only point out 2 japanese stories of the top of my head that fit in that category.)
such, from what I can tell, applies to you and some of my closest friends.