It’s that time of year again. Typhoons are fast on their way, and it’s just about time to harvest millions of kilograms of plump rice from seemingly endless fields of green. Students are back in school, and the summer vacations have long since passed, putting the public transportation systems back on their regular schedules, allowing millions of people to get to work within their comfortably hurried schedules. Autumn is here, after all, so it’s time to rejoice.
But it comes as little surprise to find one group of eternally disgruntled individuals marking their territory with their smug attitudes and self-righteous indignations.
28 Comments Add this link to...
Alert...
But it comes as little surprise to find one group of eternally disgruntled individuals marking their territory with their smug attitudes and self-righteous indignations.
28 Comments Add this link to...
Alert...
So, um, how does one find his/her rooms.
And do they come gaijin-size?...That's not very surprising to me. Almost comparable with American society.
This is one of the best...That's precisely what I thought myself, but given that the powers-that-be have zero...This isn't your typical boarding school, though. It's where they send the worst...I'm guessing he only passed the million dollar barrier because the dollar is so...Labor Day. Nov. 24 was Labor Day....What's this? Eating Yakinikku, drinking Asahi Super Dry, and living day to day on...Done and done. This is one of those easy topics that won't require divulging all...
And do they come gaijin-size?...That's not very surprising to me. Almost comparable with American society.
This is one of the best...That's precisely what I thought myself, but given that the powers-that-be have zero...This isn't your typical boarding school, though. It's where they send the worst...I'm guessing he only passed the million dollar barrier because the dollar is so...Labor Day. Nov. 24 was Labor Day....What's this? Eating Yakinikku, drinking Asahi Super Dry, and living day to day on...Done and done. This is one of those easy topics that won't require divulging all...
Comments
Out of curiosity, why didn't you link to the blogs that contained these grievances? And was mine one of them? I think that some of the points raised, while whiny, are still valid. And I think it's a bit of a strong reaction to many points which may not even be aimed at Japan... Why is complaining about bureaucracy not just complaining about bureaucracy? Why is complaining about weird crap people do in public places not just that? How come it's all anti-Japan?
Deas, I'd certainly not put you in the whinger camp (you do sometimes complain, but intelligently), but I guess Jason was looking more at the commenters on Debito, Japan Today (many commenters there are really, really whiney), and sometimes on Japan Probe, although at least on JP someone will usually respond!
Ah yes...I tend to stay away from Japan Today and Debito, and rarely read comments on Japan Probe...perhaps I've insulated myself a bit. Thanks for the morale nudge, by the way - just had a sudden fit of self-consciousness thinking, "Wow, I don't come off like that, do I?" Yeah - I agree the rancor is pretty bad sometimes. But I tend to think of it in the same way I think about YouTube comments: I don't. Ha ha.
@Deas - There are no links because most of the gripes I've been hearing occurred at work. There are way too many people there reading Debito and JapanProbe, and getting sucked into the "everything sucks" mentality. We can certainly take out our frustration at various differences in Japan, but when it gets excessive, that's when it's time for a person to re-examine whether this is the country they'd like to stay in.
I don't think Japan Probe actively participates in the Japan bashing but some of the commenters there definitely do. I abandoned Japan Today a long time ago for various reasons, a lot of which had to do with ridiculous anti-Japanese comments from what seemed like pro-China bigots. That site is barely moderated and when it is, any comments that make sense are wiped. The rest is just blather.
Debito has good intentions, he just has too much time on his hands for this sort of thing. He needs to get out a bit more or at least try to look on the bright side.
While I'm sure most of the people posting here wouldn't want to be stuck working with or hanging out with a fellow foreigner who had a habit of going on for hours complaining about this country, I'm sure most of us feel the need to let off a rant about it once in a while.
True. Nobody likes the constant bring-down. I start avoiding downers in real life AND on the net pretty fast, myself.
I agree that we are all entitled to a rant now and again but it's the frequency, the severity and the tone of the rant that can get annoying at times.
I suspect that many of the consistent ranters would find something to rant about regardless of where they find themselves. But sometimes it's hard to ignore them...
I read an article once about a woman who got so much free crap (via consolation gifts, compensatory acts, and complimentary tickets) that she got into tax trouble, because it was the equivalent of a whole second income. My thought when I read it: she must have no close friends. How could you hang out with someone like that?
Well that just served her right, didn't it! And it gave her something new to complain about...
Sounds like my first girl-friend. She and I managed to last for a grand total of 3 weeks. I was pretty tolerant back then
I hope an exception can be made for the English. Complaining is as much a part of our culture as jam scones and cricket.
Ah ... so that's where us Canadians picked it up ...
Finally ! A post after my own heart. And after years of sewing the seeds of conservative thought, it is starting to pay off in dividends this years. Many blogs are popping up now with good conservative views on Japan. Kudos !
Well ... I never imagined that this post would receive so much attention. I guess those writing lessons are finally paying off
I figure that occasionally ranting in my blog about Tokyo drivers is about the only thing that is preventing me from entering a fit of road rage...
I hate to tell you this matigo but Japan is my home. There is no other home for me to go to anymore. I started a new life here in Japan with my Japanese gal so there is no turning back. If there is something I do not like I feel that I am fully within my rights to say something if I choose. This whole extreme right-wing attitude of `love it or go home! This is the best nation in the world` is just not cool in my book.
I usually have no problems living and working in Tokyo. I actually love the place very much. It is rare for me to have a negative opinion about the place. Although, there are rare times when I do not like or agree with something. If I want to express this I have every right to do so. It is kind of mean spirited and uptight to tell someone to shut up and go home(smells of Fox News).
Although, there are people who do complain too much. I make it a habit of avoiding those people. I am willing to lend an ear to someone who needs someone to listen to their woes but not everyday!
Freedomw, I wish you wouldn't wear your American pride on your sleeve. I meant to give you a thumbs down but there was no option for that.... And no. I don't think you're fully within your rights to say something negative about Japan. You can air your grievances, but this "within my rights" stance is absurd. Go back to the South and then maybe you can say that stuff.
Well, I will always say and do what I choose to and if someone does not like it then too bad for them.
Like I said I really do not have many problems living and working in Japan. I really enjoy living in Tokyo. If I have something to say I am going to say it. If someone does not like it they do not have to read or listen to what I have to say. However, they cannot tell me to shut up and sit down.
Although, I am most interested in getting an explanation as to how I cannot express my opinion about Japan, either positive or negative, in a manner of my choosing.
Live free and die free.
I'm not suggesting that a person keep their grievances to themselves, as that's not a very effective way of dealing with stress. My main argument has to do with the people who find more bad than good in this (or any other) country and lament about how well-designed everything was in their native country.
Like you, Japan is my home. When someone asks me where I'm from, I sometimes joke and say "Gifu" because this country has been more a home to me than Canada. Do I get frustrated occasionally? Oh, yes. But I know that if the day ever comes when there are more negative aspects of living in this country than the positive, it's time to pack up and go somewhere else.
You're free to vent as often as you wish on any medium you choose. My point, which I'll admit was not clearly stated, was aimed towards the people who see more negatives than positives
I don't think Matigo was saying that criticizing aspects of Japan was off limits. My feeling was that he was just sick and tired of the habitual whiners who seem to only focus on the negative when it comes to their views on Japan. I agree with him 100% in that regard.
Though I think it is counter-productive to tell someone to "go home," at times it seems like the only thing to say really. Like Matigo said, he was speaking more about his co-workers who can't seem to find anything good to say about Japan. So in that sense, the logical question to ask them would be "Why are you still here then?" I don't think Freedom falls in this category so telling him to "go back to the South" isn't exactly the most polite thing to say.
Thank you matigo. You are an alright fella. I guess the whole tone of the entry just rubbed me the wrong way. Sometimes I read something is it touches a nerve inside of me. Some inner force drives me I am sure.
I just don`t like the idea of telling someone they cannot express themselves; unless they are a commie of course
There are some people who go on and on about how `hard` it is to live in Japan but like LetsJapan said it may be an adjustment phase some people are going though. The only time I really feel like griping about the little ins and outs of living in Tokyo is during the train ride to work. Usually, during that time of day I am still not fully awake, sometimes hung-over, and not in the mood for someones BS. It wears off once I arrive at work.
It's all good. Perhaps when I'm writing something in jest, the tone should be a little lighter. The article was actually part of a personal study that my writing coach challenged me to do. All in all, it's taught me quite a bit about pushing buttons online.
That said, I will not make a habit of it
Trust me I have pushed a few buttons online before; it does not take much. I say write whatever you want. When the bon-fire gets all hot and the flames are high dance around the fire naked chanting `I am Capt. Crunch` over and over again. That will show people you mean business
I miss Cap'n Crunch. I used to look forward to cutting my mouth up on that stuff every morning before heading off to work (my parents never bought it when I was a kid, but I made up for that in my early 20's). Unfortunately, aside from Frosted Flakes, Corn Flakes and All Bran, none of my favourite cereals are in Japan.
Oh wait ... I can't stand All Bran ...
Either way, a dancin' we will go!
There are phases that one goes through after coming to Japan. The love-hate relationship. I experienced it, and can look back and notice the time periods. And then, it goes away. One leaves or settles in. Maybe those ranters are still in one of the adjustment phases. Japan has the best internet access speeds and an exceptional cell phone system. What more could you ask for?
Now that's looking on the bright side! XD
Captain Crunch, Denial is not the way to live in Japan.