PG-rated : 40 reasons to think that the Japanese are superficial

[Qutiepie]

Japanese typically do not discuss their country's politics with foreigners,same as whites rarely do with Asians and others in Ameirca.There was a period of time,it was society norm for Japanese girls to be married at the age of 25.

Average Americans always talk about money and sex.

[Maciamo]

Japanese typically do not discuss their country's politics with foreigners,same as whites rarely do with Asians and others in Ameirca.

Let's not get carried away. This thread is NOT "Japanese people are superficial when talking to foreigners", but "in general when talking with other Japanese". There are debates about society, politics and/or culture almost everyday on the main French and Belgian TV channels (see thread), yet I have never seen anything like that in Japan. Likewise they are documentaries about history, nature, world cultures, or some at biographical character (e.g. reviewing a politican's career) on TV in almost every country in Western Europe, but they are comparartively very rare in Japan. TV (I mean here, the main few channels that everybody gets) is one of the best reflection of a country's society and interests. It is the reflection of the common mind, of the culture.

And what about chefs and other world renouned cuisine experts ? Are they the most superficial of all for not spouting their views on politics and literature in every public statement ? This is such a load of illogical baloney it isn't even worth the two minutes it took me to respond this time.

Don't be ridiculous. They talk about their job if they are interviewed. It's normal. What I care about is what people do during their free time, what they discuss with their family and friends, what they watch on TV...

[Qutiepie]

This thread is NOT "Japanese people are superficial when talking to foreigners", but "in general when talking with other Japanese". There are debates about society, politics and/or culture almost everyday on the main French and Belgian TV channels yet I have never seen anything like that in Japan.

Political issues are divisive,Japanese culture's core value is harmony.

[Elizabeth]

Political issues are divisive,Japanese culture's core value is harmony.

There are certainly talk-show style debates with politicians and commentators on Sunday mornings (NHK?) plus the round table discussions among pundits, television personalities etc on every morning news show and occasional prime time broadcast forums with specialists on specialized topics (the environment, health issues, energy use etc).

I don't pretend to have watched enough of those to judge the quality but especially the Sunday ones go into as much depth on the issues of the week as what you find in America. Of course having no idea what the European standard reference would be....

[Maciamo]

Political issues are divisive,Japanese culture's core value is harmony.

Harmony for what they want. Certainly not for architecture when you look at the cityscape in Tokyo. Certainly not harmony with their neighbours. Ceratinly not harmony with foreign residents...

France is also a country that values harmony, but more in the arts, in the lifestyle, or in family relationships. That doesn't prevent them from being extremely argumentative when debating serious issues. I think that being tough when necessary and kind the rest of the time is also part of harmony. Japanese harmony is one-sided, unbalanced...

There are certainly talk-show style debates with politicians and commentators on Sunday mornings (NHK?) plus the round table discussions among pundits, television personalities etc on every morning news show and occasional prime time broadcast forums with specialists on specialized topics (the environment, health issues, energy use etc).

Ah yes, you mean the stuck up people who awkwardly read their notes or try to remember their monologue in front of the camera. That's not what I call a debate.

[Elizabeth]

That doesn't prevent them from being extremely argumentative when debating serious issues. I think that being tough when necessary and kind the rest of the time is also part of harmony.

Like the European, particularly French, tour groups that stick out as so stuck up and awkward in Japan as the romp obviously around Tokyo speaking 10 x as loudly as everyone around them in their native tongue. I'll make a particular point next visit of asking what they are talking about and how much Japanese they really know....

[ferin]

that's not my point anyway; in context, the post makes it seem as if though anyone should be surprised; yes, most mammals like food and sex. but i guess japanese people do better when it comes to being honest about liking food?