10 adjectives that best describe your image of the Japanese national character

[Silverpoint]

Yes, of course ! If you only know your country you forcedly have false stereotypes about other countries, and cannot determine how much more of less of something (e.g. polite, anxious, clean...) people are elsewhere. It is only by opposition that it becomes clear.

I don't entirely agree. We're talking about being able to identify national characteristics. I'm English, and long before I left England I could have told you 10 adjectives I felt described our national character. Whether or not I would be right, doesn't matter. It doesn't mean I can't try. You yourself said you are interested in people's observations based on their experience. Well that counts true for all. If you start narrowing the type of experiences that permit someone to make such an observation, your two views conflict with each other.

Maybe that is why so many Japanese have such strong prejudices against foreigners, as too many of them have never lived abroad or interacted with foreigners in their own cultural environment (foreigners in Japan often don't behave as they would in their home country, justly because they are in a different culture and society).

Forgive my curiosity, but do you never miss an opportunity to bash the Japanese for being prejudiced against foreigners? Perhaps you're misunderstood, or don't do it intentionally (maybe I'm missing something here), but I'm surprised that the admin of a Japanese forum seems to have such a low view of the Japanese people.

As for Belgium, I find it much harder to define its national character, even after living in many countries, than defining the one of other countries where I have lived. But maybe that is because there is more than one dominant culture in Belgium.

Fair enough, but then wouldn't you say that boiling down the Japanese to 10 words is also rather overly simplistic and doesn't reflect the diversity that exists in all countries (Japan and Belgium included).

I have no issue with this thread per se, but I don't think we will learn anything from it that we don't already know.

[Maciamo]

I don't entirely agree. We're talking about being able to identify national characteristics. I'm English, and long before I left England I could have told you 10 adjectives I felt described our national character. Whether or not I would be right, doesn't matter. It doesn't mean I can't try.

I never said they couldn't try. I just asked them in my OP to specify that they had never been abroad (or in Japan). I was interested to see your views on the English national character, so I started a thread about it here.

You yourself said you are interested in people's observations based on their experience. Well that counts true for all. If you start narrowing the type of experiences that permit someone to make such an observation, your two views conflict with each other.

It is just a thread. In this particular thread I want to hear about what people think based on real experiences.

Forgive my curiosity, but do you never miss an opportunity to bash the Japanese for being prejudiced against foreigners? Perhaps you're misunderstood, or don't do it intentionally (maybe I'm missing something here), but I'm surprised that the admin of a Japanese forum seems to have such a low view of the Japanese people.

Is this a low view ? Did I list only negative things in my 10 adjectives ? No. My views are actually much more objective and balanced that one may think considering my negative experiences in my last 2 years in Japan.

Fair enough, but then wouldn't you say that boiling down the Japanese to 10 words is also rather overly simplistic and doesn't reflect the diversity that exists in all countries (Japan and Belgium included).

Of course it is ! But believe me it is already difficult enough for most people. We are not making a scientific study. I just want to know how people have felt about the Japanese based on their own experiences and compared to the people in their own country. If you want to write a detailed study on the topic that is not to simplified, you are free to do so and post it on the forum. I am actually looking forward to it.

I have no issue with this thread per se, but I don't think we will learn anything from it that we don't already know.

It depends mainly on the contributions that are being made. I am still waiting for yours... Admit that it is not so easy to choose the 10 most suitable adjectives to describe a whole national character. That's the difficulty that makes this kind of thread interesting. If you don't like it, then pass your way. You don't have to reply or like all threads on the forum.

[caster51]

Maciamo, you are really a poor guy.
your prejudice is more than a racist one.
You try to generalize everything and to put it in your frame by your supremacy.

[Maciamo]

Maciamo, you are really a poor guy.
your prejudice is more than a racist one.
You try to generalize everything and to put it in your frame by your supremacy.

Could you explain what makes you think so and why ?

[changedonrequest]

To get back on topic;

self-effacing
polite
understated
generous
forgiving
stubborn (ganko)
shy
intranssient
subdued
selfish