:confused: What does this actually mean? There are a lot of Japanese people (and, for that matter, a lot of American people, myself included) who don't feel like "one of them" within their own country. I don't feel like "one of them" even here on FlyerTalk, which is maybe a good thing. Is someone supposed to be accepted as "one of them?"

Same as it ever was. Same as it ever was ...

Interesting thoughts flowing around. My own is, "why in the heck would I want to be somebody else?" Very happy being me thank you. Do not want to toss away my culture, values or personality. I do however want to learn from others, enjoy the wonderful life available here, and enjoy the personal growth associated with making friends from all walks of life.

It simply means being treated like, in goinggoinggone's phrase, a 'talking dog'. And you understand that things will never be any different. I suppose some people may even be comfortable with that.

cheers,

Henry

I'm also happy that you're you. But as you say, you grow. Most of us do. People learn and adapt to what they experience - new cultures, new people, new possibilities. Did I cease to be me when I discovered how much I like Japanese food? So who is "me"? It's not a fixed thing.

So true.

Me as I was yesterday is not more as I am today and so on but the fact that is me does not change. More accurately the thing that is me is evolving. No less me though.

I hope o learn a few more languages before I evolve into a pile of dirt, intend to respect and learn as much of the culture associated with the languages I learn, but I will always be me. As if a great jeweler were adding facets to a diamond.

I guess I am not so much a seeker as an arriver. Hopefully this peaceful and accepting mode will lead me to greater knowledge and slow the growth of my forehead. ;) Wine helps too.

I'm getting flashbacks to the Evangelion finale.... ;)

Which one? There have been about seven already, probably one more within the next year or so...

The original's always the best (or worst, in this case?). :D

Omedetou!

Honestly, it might have been 20 years ago. He told my class the story in 2001. He also has a Korean wife, and speaks better Japanese than she does and in social settings in Japan they would ignore him and speak to her. That one is more understandable to me.

Well said.

With regards to the garbage thing, yes it is a PIB, but then again, Japan doesn't have a lot of natural resources so they need to recycle everything that are recyclable.

Whereas in the west we take the "dump all in the garbage bin and let the single waste management figure it out" (usually just ends up in a big landfill; a luxury Japan doesn't have) it's the opposite approach in Japan: "separate the garbage and let multiple garbage agencies recycle them respectively."

So Tuesday would be plastics day, and the plastic waste management comes by to pick them up.

Wednesday would be burnable day and the burnable waste management comes by to pick them up.


Yes it sounds redundant, but in a way it's a good way to becoming more responsible to what things you throw out.

Yah, but writing your name on it seems a bit much.

We have different garbage pickups for every day of the week. Sometimes somebody makes a mistake and leaves out the wrong type of trash, and the garbage men just leave it there. The owner usually comes by to pick it up by the end of the day. If not, then I'm sure the 組長 will figure it out and give whomever needs it a good talking to.

Don't think we have a problem with random people leaving trash at the stops either...they'll usually just dump it at a nearby combini, despite their protests against the practice.

But again, why is that every single little thing in a konbini/depachika is individually wrapped? To give the literal waste management more to do? The garbage trucks I've seen in Tokyo are smaller than the average car on a highway in the US...

Back on topic, Japanese claustrophobia isn't limited to just that one demonym. I'm from New York City, and all I need is five minutes on the metro to feel like an expat in my own home-- This works great for the nomadic eater in me. OP, if you're still perplexed by the topic at hand, a capsule hotel is ok for a couple of nights, but not for extended periods of time...