Fluent Foreigners Now Accepted In Japan!

[Gentleman10]

Whenever fluent foreigners are asked/explained something in English, people make it seem as if a great offense has been committed. But really, it's just people trying to be polite and convenient. Theoretically, from the perspective of a Japanese person, I'd imagine that since there are most likely many more foreign people who understand English than those who understand English and Japanese, if they weren't to respond immediately as like Japanese, then I'd do my best to speak English so the conversation can keep going smoothly.
I think because we as foreigners have invested so much time in learning such a unique and difficult language, once we reach the level of fluency, we want to display our hard work and achievements, and maybe we expect to always be spoken to in standard Japanese. And when consistently prodded questions to in English, I can very well imagine how this can hurt someone's pride they've built as well in learning the language. Because of this, sometimes I think fluent foreigners are more sensitive to situations when Japanese people do their best to communicate in English. We do our best to blend in with the Japanese people by learning the language/customs/culture etc., yet at the same time some doofus will come and ruin our happy day of blending-in by yelling （ヘイミスター外人さん！）。
Well guys, it comes down to the fact that people are simply trying to be polite to us. We went out of our way to learn Japanese for their sake, so why can't they go out of their way to speak English for our sake?
Hmm, when I was talked to like a 5 y/o I really couldn't do much but think "Well at least they're trying". I mean, gosh, now that I think about it, almost every department store I went to I was 5-year-olded (I'm making that a verb now). Granted my Japanese isn't at the level of complete fluency (JLPT lv2 Dec3 baby! Wish me luck!) , but frankly whenever my ペラペラ host brother explained something to me I already knew about in English, I just felt that was thoughtful of him and not insulting that he was telling me something that I already knew.
I think it's our jobs as foreigners in Japan to tolerate 5-year-olding or recieving translation help from our Jspouses (lol Jrock, Jpop, JR,and now Jspouses, what's next?), and even if you are fluent, just roll with it, because they're trying to be just as nice as we are (most of the time).
... it sure is better than not knowing what the person is talking about.

O ya, any Japanese opinions on this subject? I'd be interested in hearing them

[Mike Cash]

I appreciate your thoughtful reply and have no particular disagreements with it. I merely wish to emphasize that the situation I was talking about was with my wife of 20+ years. You'd think that after having the roof over her head, the clothes on her back, and the food on her table provided courtesy of my Japanese ability (I work in a 100% Japanese-only environment) that she'd give me a little more credit than she does...but human nature being what it is, expressions of incredulity over shocking aspect of a story she is relating often gets mistaken for an expression of not having understood what has been said to me.

[ArmandV]

You'd think that after having the roof over her head, the clothes on her back, and the food on her table provided courtesy of my Japanese ability (I work in a 100% Japanese-only environment) that she'd give me a little more credit than she does...

Imagine this domestic scene in the Maciamo household. Only there, he'd probably be giving her infractions.

(Just kidding, Mac!)

[Kyoko_desu]

Imagine this domestic scene in the Maciamo household. Only there, he'd probably be giving her infractions.

(Just kidding, Mac!)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Hoshinoko]

I am curious: One thing that thus far I have not seen to be addressed are hakujin (白人
) and hafu!(ハーフ). Sooo.... Are hakujins and people considered to be hafu lumped into the gaijin class? Or are Japanese hakujin and hafus accepted into Japanese society -- even if actually born in Japan or indeed from Japanese families?

I am curious about this as I consider myself to be a hakujin/hafu. (87.5% caucasian and 12.5 % Japanese).

Can someone please answer this question, I would like to know what to expect before later this year when I go across the Pacific. (I am temporarily living in the States).

[John Jolly]

Every country in the world want raise relation for trade and mutual benefits so they get to get take advantage in this process intermixer utilize resources and get perfect growth.

[Pachipro]

The premise has a huge flaw.

Starting off encounters by asking "日本語　わかりますか?" would be discriminatory. At the very least, it is certainly not the way I prefer my encounters to get started. I prefer that people just speak to me under the assumption that I do speak Japanese.

This preference has a huge flaw also. Of course anything the Japanese would do to help placate foreigners would be deemed discriminatory by some. Unless you look Asian, I doubt it very much if anyone would speak to you under the assumption that you do speak the language since so very few foreigners do. However, if we entered the "Twilight Zone", I'm sure that could be arranged and made a law in Japan. Therefore, all foreigners, regardless of whether the Japanese know if we can speak the language or not, would first be addressed under the assumption that they speak Japanese.

Maybe, in the "Twilight Zone" the Japanese could impliment a button system for all foreigners, lest the Japanese discriminate against us by first asking us if we understand Japanese. Hypothetically, some may still find this discriminatory also. Therefore, they will make it mandatory for EVERYONE, Japanese and foreigner alike, to wear a button of their choosing.

I'm fluent. (With a little flag of the country(ies) you are fluent in)

I speak SOME Japanese (English)

I speak no Japanese (English) at all.

I've already answered your 20 questions!

I am NOT from America!!

:let's get a drink and get to know one another (All Languages)

I'm single and available (International Language)

I'm gay (International Language)

[Mike Cash]

This preference has a huge flaw also.

No, there's nothing wrong with my preference. If I had said it were my expectation, it would be not only flawed, but foolish.

[RockLee]

Mike you computerjunk ! You just got up and already online...

And I know what premise means Rach...it's just that I don't get what mike wants to make clear sometimes...

[Mike Cash]

This preference has a huge flaw also. Of course anything the Japanese would do to help placate foreigners would be deemed discriminatory by some.

I don't think it incumbent upon the Japanese to go out of their way to placate me, or any other foreigner.

Unless you look Asian, I doubt it very much if anyone would speak to you under the assumption that you do speak the language since so very few foreigners do.

I don't look Asian, and people speaking to me under the assumption that I do speak the language is pretty much a daily occurance.

However, if we entered the "Twilight Zone", I'm sure that could be arranged and made a law in Japan. Therefore, all foreigners, regardless of whether the Japanese know if we can speak the language or not, would first be addressed under the assumption that they speak Japanese.

I certainly hope that remains a "Twilight Zone" solution. I would personally abhor such a law.

Maybe, in the "Twilight Zone" the Japanese could impliment a button system for all foreigners, lest the Japanese discriminate against us by first asking us if we understand Japanese. Hypothetically, some may still find this discriminatory also. Therefore, they will make it mandatory for EVERYONE, Japanese and foreigner alike, to wear a button of their choosing.

I'm fluent. (With a little flag of the country(ies) you are fluent in)

I speak SOME Japanese (English)

I speak no Japanese (English) at all.

I've already answered your 20 questions!

I am NOT from America!!

:let's get a drink and get to know one another (All Languages)

I'm single and available (International Language)

I'm gay (International Language)

When do we pass out yellow stars?

[Pachipro]

No, there's nothing wrong with my preference. If I had said it were my expectation, it would be not only flawed, but foolish.

Whoops. Should've said premise and not preference. gomen, neh.

[nurizeko]

the problem is japanese worry to much on how to treat a westerner instead of just treating us with the same politeness they would treat anyone.

saying that also japan is a very strict society in the sense that there's rules and guidelines for nearly every part of life and living in japan.

in the west its more relax, and its easier to go with the flow, japanese just havnt been brought up with the ability to improvise and take things as they come.


...i can only emagine the problems that will occur between humanity and an alien race should we ever survive long enough to engage in communication....

[lexico]

the problem is japanese worry to much on how to treat a westerner instead of just treating us with the same politeness they would treat anyone.

saying that also japan is a very strict society in the sense that there's rules and guidelines for nearly every part of life and living in japan.

in the west its more relax, and its easier to go with the flow, japanese just havnt been brought up with the ability to improvise and take things as they come.

I'll be Frank with you; I think your observations are valid. Just for argument's sake let me say that;

"Treating an outsider with the same politeness is absolutely unpermissible for an honorable Japanese."

"Maintaining formal distance is the ultimate expression of respect for a Japanese."

"Being relaxed, improvising, going with the flow, taking things as they come are all signs of lewdness, licentiousness, and immorality for the traditionally minded Japanese."

i can only emagine the problems that will occur between humanity and an alien race should we ever survive long enough to engage in communication....

...which is one more reason to believe whoever made it this far couldn't possibly be that dumb... unless you're a Mars Attacks fan.