Japanese don't like rating products

[Satori]

This is an interesting issue, and one I wasn't aware of.

With respect to movie critics, sometimes I would rather not be prejudiced by their opinions before seeing a film. Most of the time, I ignore what they have to say in favor of making my own determination. Some critics can be helpful and cause me to want to see a film I might have otherwise overlooked. But occasionally some critic will give a bad review, and then hardly anyone will see that particular film, even though it may be quite good. And that's really the only thing that upsets me about movie critics. For example, when the movie The Long Kiss Goodnight came out, some movie critics gave it a bad review, so a lot of people didn't see the film. I saw it anyway and loved it! I realized that the movie critics' main complaint with the film was seeing a woman in a strong position of power (former CIA field agent and assassin), and for some reason, they didn't like that. It really had nothing to do with the quality of the film. I mentioned this fact to several men I knew, and they all told me that they love women in strong roles in action films, and based on my review of the film, they opted to see it--and they loved it too! I think there's a whole untapped market out there for both men and women who love seeing woman in strong roles, but because some movie critics have a problem with that, it's difficult to market some of those films. However, other than that particular problem, I really enjoy most movie critics' reviews of films and find them to be rather helpful. I'd much rather have reviews, even when bad, than no reviews at all. And I'm surprised at Japan's attitude towards this issue.

I have taken movies as an example, but that seem to work for everything. Western review magazines rate books, cars, electronics, video games, insurance companies, financial services (for individuals), or whatever can be rated.

Now this is just ridiculous! I am all for rating these types of things, especially when most of it is done by consumers who have used those products, not someone like a movie critic being paid to give their opinion. Without ratings of these types of things, consumers could be potentially injured by faulty products or services, or simply damaged financially in wasting their money. So I think ratings and reviews of these types of things are very important.

One of the reason is that Japanese are reluctant to impose their opinions on others, or lack confidence in expressing it (because it is often more emotional than rational ?). Japanese don't like debates, because they don't like arguments. They prefer group consensus, which means trying to find the general feeling, keep in harmony with it and do like others - rather than trying to push one's ideas on others.

Japanese at best rely on popularity rather than rational analysis. It is more convincing to a Japanese to know that x million of people have already bought that particular product than to see a detailed and rational analyis with ratings.

Talk about herd mentality! That kind of thinking is also very superficial. While keeping harmony is nice and even admirable, it can be detrimental when it prevents truth from being exposed and expressed. And that's the problem with not voicing one's opinions, no matter the outcome. It's indicative of people who do not value themselves and their opinions, and who place more value on others and the opinions and feelings others hold instead. That's one of the problems with trying too hard to please--eventually it erodes self-esteem.

Take the example of cars. While I have grown up in a family where it would be unthinkable to buy a car without reading anc comparing carfully all the magazine review, make a selection of the best according to cost (official price, consumption, average cost of repair for that maker, taxes for that model...), practicability (space for legs, size of the boot/trunk...), design (in and out), comfort, engine (power, reliability...), safety, options, etc., then try a few different cars at the dealer, and finally make a choice. But it seems that the average Japanese would just buy a car because a celebrity drove it in the TV commercial or because it's popular for the moment.

Considering what cars costs these days, I cannot imagine anyone not doing their homework in this area. And buying it simply because some celebrity drives the same car? Very superficial reason to spend money! But I think it also speaks to a fair amount of laziness and the fact that some of these people are refusing to think for themselves.

It is not the first time I have to say that Japanese in average think to much through their emotions than rational logic. This is probably due to lower testosterone levels, as women are usually more like that. But nationwide and across the gender, it is IMO undeniable that Japanese make more emotional than logical decisions. That also explains why almost all TV commercials in Japan show celebrities, while European ones only do when it is relevant (tennis racket CM shows famous tennis players using this brand of racket, but no need to show a TV "talento" in a cup noodle or washing powder commercial).

Well, I know a lot of women who are very rational just like men, so I'm not so sure that's the problem here. However, one thing that women and the Japanese you have described seem to have in common is maybe low self-esteem and not being allowed to voice their opinions, so that perhaps they become used to not thinking for themselves. Of course, being in that type of position can also make one emotional when they might not otherwise be an emotional person. The point is, I think it may have more to do with circumstances rather than emotional vs. rational thought and analysis.

Either way, it's not a good system for anyone to blindly accept things in life. I think it's every human being's duty in life to question everything and to feel free to voice their opinions, no matter the consequences. But that's me ...