As someone in a similar situation, there are differences in the racism are stark.
They treat you differently but far more often than not, it is just curiosity or looking for entertainment from a zoo animal. They are not hostile or aggressive.
Comment on Cool Japan đ¸
VitoRobles@lemmy.today â¨2⊠â¨weeks⊠ago
My wife is southeast Asian. Going to Japan, I felt a lot of like⌠weird energy at times where they just kind of looked at me. I never felt unsafe, just judged. I told my wife this, who said she felt the complete opposite. She was born and raised in the States, and we traveled to a bunch of States (fuck Missouri) where she really felt unsafe like if she didnât leave town, they would make us. And Ive shared before how we got a âGo back to your own countryâ from other people, and even one showing off his gun.
Do I feel like Japanese racism is uncalled for? Absolutely. Again, I never felt unsafe. So itâs really interesting to see this perspective in the comments like this is the worst disgusting attitude in the world because someone snubbed them.
HasturInYellow@lemmy.world â¨2⊠â¨weeks⊠ago
merc@sh.itjust.works â¨2⊠â¨weeks⊠ago
The âzoo animalâ thing seems about right. Sometimes they look at you like they think youâre about to start flinging shit around. Sometimes theyâre curious about how the zoo animal is going to do something simple like handle chopsticks. Often they donât make eye contact or keep their space because they donât want to have to interact with the zoo animal.
OTOH, part of their being polite is that if the gaijin actually asks them for help, theyâre obligated to try to help.
Overall, I liked it. As an introvert, I donât like countries where people approach the foreigner and try to practice their English on them. There are also too many countries where youâre frequently approached by someone who wants to scam you, or wants you to give them money.
joshchandra@midwest.social â¨2⊠â¨weeks⊠ago
They are not hostile or aggressive.
⌠until you try to open a bank account with them ad a foreigner. Tourists are fine and tolerated but become an expat and youâll have a much steeper time.
gh0stcassette@lemmy.blahaj.zone â¨2⊠â¨weeks⊠ago
Why do white immigrants often call themselves expats? Iâve never heard anyone who wasnât a well-off immigrant white guy self-describe that way.
joshchandra@midwest.social â¨2⊠â¨weeks⊠ago
Iâm not sure of why others wouldnât:
expat /Äksâ˛pÄtâ˛/
noun
- An expatriate; a person who lives outside his or her own country.
- A person who is voluntarily absent from home or country.
JillyB@beehaw.org â¨2⊠â¨weeks⊠ago
I lived in Japan for 2 years. I had several expat friends with stories of going to the hospital, being told they were full, their Japanese wife showing up, and suddenly they have space. Other stories of legal disputes between a Japanese person and a foreign immigrant will always go to the Japanese person. Japanese culture is very non-confrontational, but donât think their brand of racism is safer. If weâre comparing racism and deciding one is less bad than the other, weâve already partially accepted that it has a place in society.