Turning Japanese
 

Having recently been selected to teach English in Japan, I was wondering if anyone here had any tips on Japanese culture/etiquette, as well as suggestions on where to go/what to do. I'm afraid I don't exactly know WHERE I'm going yet, but I do know that I will be leaving on July 26th.

So, my fellow TFP'ers, share your vast pool of knowledge!

Also, if any of you are actually IN Japan right now and wouldn't mind a visit from a newly arrived gaijin during the next year, tell me where you are!

Well I will tell you what NOT to do. Don't confuse pain with learning. Like going up to the emperor of japan and just start smacking him around and then go "So you learn anything?"

Be very polite, learn the language and culture.

i hear the strip clubs in japan are sweet

In private homes, be careful - there are a grip of customs that you must know, but keep in mind that you are a gaijin and they know that - so just keep an attitude that you're a novice but you are trying and let people see that - they'll forgive almost anything. Either way, even if you do fuck up, the Japanese are really not confrontational at all.
Some etiquette rules/ customs that come to mind:
Take shoes off in homes
When eating with chopsticks, don't touch your chopsticks to anyone elses (like when sharing food, etc.), this has something to do with the funereal customs.
On the trains, don't mind the pushing, groping, etc. during rush hour.

hell, I am so relieved your title didn't have the 'special meaning' that the song of the same name did......

um

before you go come visit me if you read japanese subtitles.... i will chain you up til we play 15 or so worth of japanese rpgs..... then i will release you. :)

If there's one thing I've learned, it's never, ever challenge a Japanese person to hand to hand combat.

Especially if they're near a ladder, or a fold-up chair.

kung fu movies don't count, Catch24. :P most of those are Chinese btw. ;)

Well, most. But that doesn't mean that every single Japanese person alive isn't a perfectly trained martial artist.

I mean come on, man. Open your eyes

dont go whaling.

Omegato Bob!


I want to do ESL with the JET programme in a few years.. so im definately envious of ya. I'll editi this post later with some links to help you with your transisition there..
Congrats!

Holy shit, Ganguro! That's the program I'm in! Hazzah!

Thanks everyone for your advice and humour. I think I,ll mostly have to worry about ninjas and Sonny Chiba wannabes, but I know kung fu (ok, wing chun), so I'll hold my own. ;)

I'm hoping to go either way North (Hokkaido) or way South (Okinawa). I like extremes. I won't mind if I end up in Tokyo, but that seems so... common. I'll keep you guys posted!

Re: Turning Japanese
 

kon'nichi wa. watashi wa phaenx-san desu. hajemimishite!


Hows my Japanese? Been at it for an hour.

Here's a tip from someone who has relatives in Japan, and a high school buddy in Tokyo..
DONT WISH FOR TOKYO!!!
It's HELLA expensive. Many of the things we take for granted here int he states are VERY costly over there, so bring shit with you if you can like Catsup, Toilet paper, your favorite type of chips, favorite US candy, etc... If you are the shady type.. bring a bunch of bluejeans from goodwill over and then sell them for 100 bucks a piece (you didnt hear that from me though :D).

How good is your Nihongo? Can you read and write Kana? Have you spent any time in really small cities? Sometimes they put you in some little farming community and you may be the only gaijin around so you might get (and when i say "might" i mean..you will get) some stares. Just have fun, and dont overpack.. because i hear they make you schlep your luggage to and from when you get to/leave orientation. Good luck dude.. and if you need to talk, or have any more ?'s PM me. I haven't been to Japan since I was a kid, but im a fountain of information about the subject.

Some sites to check out:
http://www.jetprogramme.org/e/index.html
http://montreal.jetaa.ca/
http://jin.jcic.or.jp/
http://www.mofa.go.jp/

Heh, yeah, that's what I thought too :D

Thanks for the info Ganguro.

I've actually already participated in the JET Programme Pre-departure orientation and got lots of info there and was looking for any extra tips from people familiar with Japan.

It's true you have to pack light, since you are only allowed one large piece of luggage + carry-on for the post arrival orientation in Tokyo. Anything else will be shipped at your charge to your designated prefecture. Also, if I'm replacing a JET, my apartment will probably already be furnished, so I can buy whatever's offered straight from him/her and see what's actually given to me by the school. You have no idea how badly I want to know where I'm going! You see, I was initially an alternate, but I've been bumped to the short list of people who are actually going.

I'm taking the Japanese classes offered by the JET Programme, but I'm gonna do some studying on my own, especially writing kanji/hiragana/katakana script, which is not covered in the class (who focuses more on conversational aspects). Upon meeting my superiors, I'm supposed to say:

Hajimemashite. / How do you do?
Watashi-no namae wa J-F desu. / My name is J-F
Dozo yoroshiku-onegaishimasu. / It's a pleasure to meet you.

My teaching methods for English will be different than the ones I'm used to, since Japanese learn languages by using set phrases, instead of breaking them down into subject/verb/object and focusing on each part. Ah well, I'm sure it's still gonna be a great experience.

BTW, thanks for the tip on jeans, Ganguro! I've got a few old pairs that I don't wear anymore, but how many Japanese guys can fill a 36' waist? Maybe skaters... :)

If you have sex, use a condom. Japan doesn't officially have AIDS, and abortions are common, which means that STD's are pretty much rampant.

Use your instincts. Some people are not going to like you. Others will. Don't worry too much.

And yeah, have a great time!