Quote Originally Posted by Maciamo
In my experience, when I explained the logic of "gaikokujin" being relative to the country where one is, the Japanese understand what I mean, and even agree in principle. I am not saying that the Japanese cannot understand logic, I am saying that they prefer not to be logical by choice.
That's also what I mean when I say they choose not to be logical. They don't waste time pondering over a definition.
All we can do is plant the seed.
It can indeed be a blessing, but when discussing cultural differences with non-Japanese (like we are doing), it can lead to confusion.
I agree. That's why word choice is so important.

What I find most interesting is that so many Japanese ask this question (rarely when first meeting someone, though. Usually when the discussion leads to it, the cherry blossom and koyo seasons being the most propitious times).
I wish one could type intonations...I usually reply 当然� りますよ in the same way I imagine a typical Japanese would respond to the same question. I rarely get asked that, though. I WAS recently asked if we do 月見 in America. I responded in the negative.

Yes. Again, they 'can' understand the relativity of the term. But if you ask them directly whether the word could mean another language than Japanese or not, most have never given a good thought. It's not useful for them to wonder about that in their daily life, so they don't do it (contrarily to us who discuss it eventhough it is not "useful", just interesting or mentally stimulating ).
Once again, all we can do is plant the seed.

That is true. Repetition of small things with little consequence can get on one's nerves seriously in the long term.
That's why it's so important to be able to shield yourself from them.