tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5103914919249706024.post8159069978228562447..comments2023-05-18T03:08:41.920-07:00Comments on 1000 Things About Japan: Won't Miss 502# - the sense that it's not realUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5103914919249706024.post-9716014863083365812012-11-30T19:28:01.673-08:002012-11-30T19:28:01.673-08:00I felt the same, even being half-japanese! I think...I felt the same, even being half-japanese! I think is because japanese thinking is very differente and hard to even "imitate" even speaking good japanese. I'm loving this site!Dianakchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17034580797814805294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5103914919249706024.post-59340126169896456732012-11-13T11:31:10.709-08:002012-11-13T11:31:10.709-08:00Thank you for reading and for your comment. One th...Thank you for reading and for your comment. One thing that you have to keep in mind was that I was in Japan for 23 years and that means a steady drumbeat of people reacting to me in a particular way - starving, pointing, talking about me, double-taking, gawping, not standing near, not sitting next to, following me around, giving me nasty looks, etc. It's rather hard not to be defined as an Orchid64https://www.blogger.com/profile/07132543155589881288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5103914919249706024.post-15582626364558426182012-11-13T05:47:41.439-08:002012-11-13T05:47:41.439-08:00First let me say that I enjoy your writing and per...First let me say that I enjoy your writing and perspective. <br /><br />When you say you always knew who you were and that you didn't belong when you lived in Japan, is this hyperbole? Did you have friends who you felt could see you for the individual you are? And why did you define yourself (or allow yourself to be defined) as a foreigner?<br /><br />I live in Japan, and of course there are Ring of Firehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18324423343613646940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5103914919249706024.post-89984791506399454972012-11-09T09:24:16.790-08:002012-11-09T09:24:16.790-08:00Thank you for your comment, Jack. I think the poin...Thank you for your comment, Jack. I think the point you make about the lack of obligation is a good one. Early on, in particular, ignorance led me to not do things I would have done back home (like pay taxes I didn't know existed and no one told me about... though it could be that the school I worked for looked after that transparently and I never knew one way or another).<br /><br />I never Orchid64https://www.blogger.com/profile/07132543155589881288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5103914919249706024.post-15631300891464258762012-11-08T19:58:15.838-08:002012-11-08T19:58:15.838-08:00I completely agree with this feeling. I certainly ...I completely agree with this feeling. I certainly wasn't in Japan as long as you, but it still took me at least a year to come to term with the fact that yes my time there was real. Robyn @Blueberries and Oatshttp://blueberriesandoats.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5103914919249706024.post-57939063291528709322012-11-08T19:56:17.438-08:002012-11-08T19:56:17.438-08:00I am not sure if it is the lack of family or cultu...I am not sure if it is the lack of family or cultural connections (for me at least) that makes Japan seem less real. I have thought (at different times) that it was the lack of obligation and expectation that led to that feelilng. <br />On the other hand, the lack of associates led many people I know to "reinvent themselves" in Japan to the point that their previous personas were Jackofallhobbieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06461830980241218802noreply@blogger.com