English-friendly Japan

[Maciamo]

Maciamo. For someone who is so apparently 'gifted', I find it extraordinary that you cannot understand how pompous, arrogant and condescending you appear in the eyes of so many 'lesser mortals' who read your comments.

First of all, IQ and EQ are completely different things. My EQ (capability to understand people's feelings/emotions) is probably under average. But if you ask me, I never had the impression of being "pompous, arrogant and condescending". What made you think that ?

Can you not see at all that the tone of your comments consistently alienates a large number of people?

No. Why ? Not all threads are meant to be discussed. Some are articles meant to be read. I appreciate feedback, but not people who try to destroy my arguments just because they don't agree with the title based on their own feelings, without really trying to understand the message of my article.

I am pretty sure that if my title had been "Japan is more accommodating to English speakers than to speakers of other languages", there wouldn't have been the stupid arguments and misunderstanding above (I will therefore add it). But in my views, a title should ideally be short and catchy, even if it does not reflect exactly the content of the thread. In fact, if the title said it all, there would be no need to write a long article at all.

Why should you decide what can and can't be discussed in this thread? It makes not a single bit of difference that you started it.

There is no reason to argue that "English speakers can have a hard time communicating with non-English-speaking Japanese" when it was never part of the subject of the thread. I never disagree with that. Yet, Mikecash, Gaijin Punch and Gaijin 06 all came up with that argument, because for them "English-friendly" had that meaning - but not for me, and I explained many times that it was not what I intended to discuss. Now if they want to talk about how hard it can be for someone who doesn't speak Japanese to deal with everyday situation in Japan, fine with me, but in another thread. Anyway, I never disagreed with that. Mikecash argued that most signs in Japan were in Japanese only. I didn't deny it either. But it can't be denied English signs are relatively common, even if they only make 1% of all signs.

Finally, it makes no difference whatsoever that you are the webmaster, editor, administrator or great and omnipotent god of this website. A ten year old child can make a website - anyone can. It adds absolutely no credability to your views whatsoever.

So what ? Did I say otherwise ?

[Mike Cash]

There is no reason to argue that "English speakers can have a hard time communicating with non-English-speaking Japanese" when it was never part of the subject of the thread. I never disagree with that. Yet, Mikecash, Gaijin Punch and Gaijin 06 all came up with that argument

I did? Strange...I don't remember it.

Now if they want to talk about how hard it can be for someone who doesn't speak Japanese to deal with everyday situation in Japan, fine with me, but in another thread.

Because only admins are allowed to cause threads to drift.

[Maciamo]

I did? Strange...I don't remember it.

Maybe not explicitely, but you supported GaijinPunch's comments and said :

I just think you overstate the case of how English-friendly Japan is.

... which means you agreed with GaijinPunch that in spite of the numerous English websites, signs, TV/radio/newspapers, and gigantic Eikaiwa industry, Japan is not so "English-friendly" because most Japanese cannot speak English very well (or at all).

Because only admins are allowed to cause threads to drift.

I am not sure I understand what this means. But I am trying my best justly NOT to let the thread drift offtopic.

[Mike Cash]

... which means you agreed with GaijinPunch that in spite of the numerous English websites, signs, TV/radio/newspapers, and gigantic Eikaiwa industry, Japan is not so "English-friendly" because most Japanese cannot speak English very well (or at all).

I can't recall having expressed an opinion on the numerous English websites, TV/radio/newspapers, and gigantic Eikaiwa industry at all in this thread. Nor have I expressed an opinion on spoken English ability in Japan.

[Silverpoint]

I never had the impression of being "pompous, arrogant and condescending". What made you think that ?

The fact that you even need me to tell you, just underlines the problem. How can you not see that constantly harking on about your superior intellect, knowledge, experience etc. comes across badly to other people.

There is no reason to argue that "English speakers can have a hard time communicating with non-English-speaking Japanese" when it was never part of the subject of the thread. I never disagree with that. Yet, Mikecash, Gaijin Punch and Gaijin 06 all came up with that argument, because for them "English-friendly" had that meaning - but not for me, and I explained many times that it was not what I intended to discuss.

Believe it or not Maciamo, JREF is not just a two-way discussion between yourself on one side, and the rest of the forum members on the other. You simply cannot dictate what people are and aren't allowed to say. As I mentioned previously, threads grow, evolve and expand their scope as time goes on, with new related opinions and issues being introduced. This is what makes forums so interesting. You can raise one point, and then someone introduces another perspective to the debate. If you consider Gaijin Punch, Gaijin 06 and others' comments to be going off-topic then your definition of what is "off-topic" is so narrow as to be almost unworkable.

So what ? Did I say otherwise ?

You have puffed away on several occasions in different threads about how you have edited travel guides, when basically all you've done is make a bunch of web pages. Something which I or anyone else could if we had the inclination. If you don't feel it makes you more authoritative, why did you feel the need to tell everyone in the first place?

Edit: By the way, someone just wiped a load of reputation points off my score (not that I really care). Strangely, no red dots - just the total was decreased as if someone had edited it manually. I assume that was you?

[Maciamo]

The fact that you even need me to tell you, just underlines the problem. How can you not see that constantly harking on about your superior intellect, knowledge, experience etc. comes across badly to other people.

Why should that come across badly ? Is that a problem of envy ? Experience and knowledge can be filled if one has the motivation. My viewpoint is that people who do not have the knowledge or experience about the particular things we are discussing just don't care enough or lack the motivation to get them.

Believe it or not Maciamo, JREF is not just a two-way discussion between yourself on one side, and the rest of the forum members on the other.

Who makes you think that ? There are plenty of people with whom I never argue and usually agree. The gang that is always pick holes in my posts is always the same : you, mikecash, CC1, and the occasional "Me-too" (Gaijin 06...). In fact, I find that GaijinPunch does not really intend to fight, but often helps you and mikecash to start criticising me.

You have puffed away on several occasions in different threads about how you have edited travel guides, when basically all you've done is make a bunch of web pages. Something which I or anyone else could if we had the inclination. If you don't feel it makes you more authoritative, why did you feel the need to tell everyone in the first place?

Do you seriously think that "anyone" has the time, energy, experience, dedication and capabilities to create not "a few webpages" as you said, but several hundreds of such travel pages like I did (in less than one year, as I did for Japan, England and Belgium) ? FYI, I haven't found any other websites with more detailed online guides of Japan and Belgium. For Japan, there is japan-guide.com, but the pages are much shorter and there are less destinations. I think you have no idea of the hundreds of hours of toil this demands. The research work is just huge. The fact that so few detailed guides of Japan exist, despite the great number of Western Japan fans, somehow shows that few people have the motivation or ability to make such a guide. I am conscious that my English is not top (not like a Lonely Planet writer) as I am not an native speaker. But I do my best, and don't ask anything in return for the free information provided, but some appreciation.

Note that this is the Japan Reference and Eupedia Forum, so it is a bit normal that the admin should mention about his Japan Reference Travel Guide and Eupedia Belgium & England Guides. It's not boasting. It's just a bit of self-advertisement by letting forum members know that these guides exist on this website. Occasionally it serves to prove my interests for Japan, or like here, that I have travelled enough around Japan to be able to give a reasonably fair judgement of how common are English signs nationwide (as mikecash was saying things like "Japan=Tokyo!", insinuating that I didn't know the rest of Japan).

[Silverpoint]

Why should that come across badly ? Is that a problem of envy ?

I give up...

[Silverpoint]

(as mikecash was saying things like "Japan=Tokyo!", insinuating that I didn't know the rest of Japan).

Actually, I believe he said "Japan != Tokyo".

"!=" is the 'not equal to' or 'inequality' relational operator, most commonly found in imperative programming. Your example means the opposite.

[Maciamo]

Actually, I believe he said "Japan != Tokyo".

"!=" is the 'not equal to' or 'inequality' relational operator, most commonly found in imperative programming. Your example means the opposite.

That does not change the message. I understood that he was being sarcastic about Japan being reduced to Tokyo. If that meant that Japan is not equal to Tokyo, it's basically the same, without the sarcasm.

I didn't know that mikecash was so verse in computer programming. "!=" is not really the kind of standard sign one expect to find on a forum like this one. I personally prefer "/=" to indicate inequality in prosaic writings (not as opposed to "poetic" but as opposed to "programming language").

[DoctorP]

Edit: By the way, someone just wiped a load of reputation points off my score (not that I really care). Strangely, no red dots - just the total was decreased as if someone had edited it manually. I assume that was you?

Don't feel bad Silverpoint...the same things has happened to me! I can only suppose that Maciamo must have done this as there are no red dots nor are there any comments under reputation. I just noticed that my rep went down by 100 points though. It is a sad state of affairs when you can not post your true opinions on this site. Message here? Piss off the GOD and he will punish you...but anonymosly (strange thing to do don't you think?)

Ya' know...this isn't the first time something rather sneaky happened here on JREF...I remember being banned by one user with Admin rights just because he got his feelings hurt before! The same people who ***** and moan about corrupt officials in Japan, abusing the system here, but not having the heart to stand up for his actions!

[Silverpoint]

Ya' know...this isn't the first time something rather sneaky happened here on JREF...I remember being banned by one user with Admin rights just because he got his feelings hurt before!

How extraordinary! The same thing also happened to me.

Apart from teasing comments like "Romaji != English" or "Tokyo != Japan", I was pretty pissed by some of your rather insulting comments in this thread

Maciamo, you don't have to use direct language to be offensive to other people. Many people feel that the language that you often use is deeply insulting to our intelligence. The difference is that you totally and utterly refuse to accept this and use a condescending and arrogant tone to deliver your message, whereas we are usually pretty upfront and direct about it. I would ask you - which is the more honest approach?

[Maciamo]

The difference is that you totally and utterly refuse to accept this and use a condescending and arrogant tone to deliver your message, whereas we are usually pretty upfront and direct about it. I would ask you - which is the more honest approach?

You call yourself upfront and direct, and more honest ? Shall I remind you that you are the one who posts sneaky contemptful comments about me out of the blue here and there. Shall I refresh your memory :

In the thread " What 3 things would you take with you to an uninhibited island", you posted something saying that I had "serious personality issues" (I split this discussion elsewhere) because of my reply. This was your only contribution to the thread.

Then, on 20 October 2005 : Post #17, #29, #30, #32 of this thread, you and mikecash made disparaging comments behind my back. Mike even gave you good rep. for your post and said "I take it that the word "someone" refers to the Belgian Lungfish" (yes, all admins and mods can see any member's reputation comments). In fact, you, CC1 and mikecash have exchanged each others reputation points, congratulating each others in the rep. comments, for every insulting comment made on me. This has happened in quite a few thread, including this one.

It is always the 3 of you (and you, Silverpoint are by far the worst), so you understand that I tend to lose my patience with you guys when you come and look for a fight in the threads I post.

[Maciamo]

I just noticed that my rep went down by 100 points though. It is a sad state of affairs when you can not post your true opinions on this site. Message here? Piss off the GOD and he will punish you...but anonymosly (strange thing to do don't you think?)

I will give you neg. rep. if I feel insulted. Red dot or not, it doesn't matter as you cannot see who give you the rep points anyway. That way I am sure you know it's me. My reputation power is by far the highest on this forum, with over 6000 posts, member almost since the very beginning, and with currently the highest reputation. All these contribute in the number of points I can give or take. Basically, when I give rep. to a new member, his/her green dots can pass from 1 to 3 in just 1 or 2 votes. For some reasons, even admins cannot change any member's rep. power, as it is constantly re-calaculated based on the current number of posts, rep. level and number of days since the joined date.

Ya' know...this isn't the first time something rather sneaky happened here on JREF...I remember being banned by one user with Admin rights just because he got his feelings hurt before! The same people who ***** and moan about corrupt officials in Japan, abusing the system here, but not having the heart to stand up for his actions!

As far as I know, you have never been banned, you or Silverpoint, and are still on the forum. If I had wanted you out, you wouldn't be posting now.

[DoctorP]

I will give you neg. rep. if I feel insulted. Red dot or not, it doesn't matter as you cannot see who give you the rep points anyway. That way I am sure you know it's me. My reputation power is by far the highest on this forum, with over 6000 posts, member almost since the very beginning, and with currently the highest reputation. All these contribute in the number of points I can give or take. Basically, when I give rep. to a new member, his/her green dots can pass from 1 to 3 in just 1 or 2 votes. For some reasons, even admins cannot change any member's rep. power, as it is constantly re-calaculated based on the current number of posts, rep. level and number of days since the joined date.

My point is that it is quite cowardly to do it with hopes that no one would notice! I guess that a high IQ = no spine? I can only suspect that you are the type of person who could hit someone's car and then quickly speed away in hopes that no one witnessed a thing!

As far as I know, you have never been banned, you or Silverpoint, and are still on the forum. If I had wanted you out, you wouldn't be posting now.

I am not speaking about this incident, but another one in the past where you seemed to be ticked off at the fact that I did not agree with you, nor did I wish to bend over and accept your position as the only correct one. Do not worry, I will go on...it is not the end of the world.

*Edit*

In fact, you, CC1 and mikecash have exchanged each others reputation points, congratulating each others in the rep. comments, for every insulting comment made on me. This has happened in quite a few thread, including this one.

I wouldn't call it congratulating...if I am not mistaken, Rep points are:

Its purpose is to hopefully give users an idea of how respected, knowledgeable, helpful, gracious, etc., a person is. It is a system in which you rate your peers. It is a system that, hopefully, will make you think twice about your posts.

I do not have a problem with you disagreeing with a post and giving negative rep points...that is what the system is for! As it is also for me giving Mike or Silverpoint positive rep if I agree with their post! Is that not correct?

What I do have a problem with is you sneaking in to take the rep! Why not do it the same as everyone else? To me, what you did is no worse than a CEO embezzling money from a corporation! But as I stated before...I will get over it!

[Maciamo]

I do not have a problem with you disagreeing with a post and giving negative rep points...that is what the system is for! As it is also for me giving Mike or Silverpoint positive rep if I agree with their post! Is that not correct?

So you think that calling me names is a factor determining how respected, knowledgeable, helpful, gracious, etc., is the person that does it ? Very gracious, indeed. Especially when you know what kind of rep. comments are attached to the already insulting post !

What I do have a problem with is you sneaking in to take the rep! Why not do it the same as everyone else? To me, what you did is no worse than a CEO embezzling money from a corporation! But as I stated before...I will get over it!

I don't see what it changes whether you see a red dot for one particular post or not, as you cannot see the rep. is from me anyway (only admins and mods automatically see who gave them rep. points). If you want to know, I didn't attach the rep to one post, because I gave it to you for the reputation points issues between you, mikecash and silverpoint. I certainly do not want to give you the feeling that I am giving you bad rep. for a random post that does not deserve it, when I really did it to punish your above-mentioned behaviour. I guess I could have sent you a PM saying "hey you know, I gave you bad rep points !", but that would have sounded quite provocative. Instead, I took the opportunity to explain it in this thread. Note that I could have denied giving you bad rep. and even blame it on the system, had I been what you called me. But I affirmed it outright and exlpained my reasons to everyone.

In fact, had you not raised the issue, the three of you would have benefited from my discretion about your shenanigans against me. But you were not sagacious enough to think about why I needed to give you bad rep. and about the consequences of carelessly raising the subject in public. I feel a bit sorry for mike who did not complain about his rep. (maybe because he got a red dot), after all, he was the one to make the most ungracious comment on my account (not just in "private", but in this thread too).