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[Serbia]

Positive.

[muy_thaiguy]

http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=270291
http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali ... y-confirms
http://www.globescan.com/images/images/ ... 080512.pdf

BBC survey measures public opinion on 22 countries, places Israel in company of North Korea, ahead of only Iran, Pakistan.

Also, Germany has been overtaken by Japan as the world’s most positively viewed major nation.

We love you Japan! (And I know you love us too!)

For Japan, I'm not confirming this myself, but from some things I've read of Westerners being over there, Japanese put on a "mask" when it comes to most outsiders. Also that schools let bullying go to the extreme (like victims jumping from roofs and what not) and then try to cover it up. Oh, and no tattoos (showing at least) in pretty much any public store, swimming pool, or resturaunt.

A website I visit has the articles (even pictures, many are disturbing), but there is a lot of NSFW items there, but it does give you an idea of the Japan we don't hear about.

[Symmetry]

http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=270291
http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali ... y-confirms
http://www.globescan.com/images/images/ ... 080512.pdf

BBC survey measures public opinion on 22 countries, places Israel in company of North Korea, ahead of only Iran, Pakistan.

Also, Germany has been overtaken by Japan as the world’s most positively viewed major nation.

We love you Japan! (And I know you love us too!)

For Japan, I'm not confirming this myself, but from some things I've read of Westerners being over there, Japanese put on a "mask" when it comes to most outsiders. Also that schools let bullying go to the extreme (like victims jumping from roofs and what not) and then try to cover it up. Oh, and no tattoos (showing at least) in pretty much any public store, swimming pool, or resturaunt.

A website I visit has the articles (even pictures, many are disturbing), but there is a lot of NSFW items there, but it does give you an idea of the Japan we don't hear about.

I was a teacher there for three years in a major city, and all I can say is that these seem to me to be half truths. All of them are complicated to explain- having a tattoo in Japan has long been associated with being a member of the Yakuza, for example. Bullying and suicide is complicated, but very messed up in a more complicated way than talking about schools.

The mask is a cultural thing even within Japanese society. Honmae and tatemae, not just a thing with foreigners, though I think foreigners sometimes make a bigger deal out of it through simple culture shock and language problems.

You might have looked at Arudo Debito's site, I think.

[muy_thaiguy]

Okay.

[Nobunaga]

http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=270291
http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali ... y-confirms
http://www.globescan.com/images/images/ ... 080512.pdf

BBC survey measures public opinion on 22 countries, places Israel in company of North Korea, ahead of only Iran, Pakistan.

Also, Germany has been overtaken by Japan as the world’s most positively viewed major nation.

We love you Japan! (And I know you love us too!)

For Japan, I'm not confirming this myself, but from some things I've read of Westerners being over there, Japanese put on a "mask" when it comes to most outsiders. Also that schools let bullying go to the extreme (like victims jumping from roofs and what not) and then try to cover it up. Oh, and no tattoos (showing at least) in pretty much any public store, swimming pool, or resturaunt.

A website I visit has the articles (even pictures, many are disturbing), but there is a lot of NSFW items there, but it does give you an idea of the Japan we don't hear about.

Tattoos are becoming more popular among the younger crowd. Though not really "common", it isn't that unusual to see one or two in a day's time if you're in a large city.

[Funkyterrance]

Oh, and no tattoos (showing at least) in pretty much any public store, swimming pool, or resturaunt.

This sounds more like culture than anything. Sort of like how I don't walk around with a stiffie in public in the USA.

[Symmetry]

Oh, and no tattoos (showing at least) in pretty much any public store, swimming pool, or resturaunt.

This sounds more like culture than anything. Sort of like how I don't walk around with a stiffie in public in the USA.

It's very much a culture thing in Japan- traditional Japanese tattooing is painful, expensive and a long process associated with gangs. Kind of a mark of initiation as there was no way to get it removed. It was considered a permanent way to mark you out from normal society and to permanently show allegiance to a gang. That's why they act odd when people show up with visible tattoos.

[Funkyterrance]

Oh, and no tattoos (showing at least) in pretty much any public store, swimming pool, or resturaunt.

This sounds more like culture than anything. Sort of like how I don't walk around with a stiffie in public in the USA.

It's very much a culture thing in Japan- traditional Japanese tattooing is painful, expensive and a long process associated with gangs. Kind of a mark of initiation as there was no way to get it removed. It was considered a permanent way to mark you out from normal society and to permanently show allegiance to a gang. That's why they act odd when people show up with visible tattoos.

So what is the common mindset towards gangs there then? I'm gathering they are recieved negatively but in what way? Is it out of embarrassment? Fear?

[Symmetry]

Oh, and no tattoos (showing at least) in pretty much any public store, swimming pool, or resturaunt.

This sounds more like culture than anything. Sort of like how I don't walk around with a stiffie in public in the USA.

It's very much a culture thing in Japan- traditional Japanese tattooing is painful, expensive and a long process associated with gangs. Kind of a mark of initiation as there was no way to get it removed. It was considered a permanent way to mark you out from normal society and to permanently show allegiance to a gang. That's why they act odd when people show up with visible tattoos.

So what is the common mindset towards gangs there then? I'm gathering they are recieved negatively but in what way? Is it out of embarrassment? Fear?

Very weird mix, in my experience. They're generally seen as a conservative force, with weird ties to business traditionally. They're not popular, but they are seen as part of the culture.

I'm not sure I can give you a good analogy, but perhaps the old Sicilian view of the mob in the Godfather movies (I know nothing about the historical accuracy).

[Nobunaga]

I was at an public bath one time, taking my pre-soak shower and there was a guy next to me staring at my colors (Navy tattoo, left arm).

I remember thinking something assholeish, like, "Yeah! I'm the cool gaijin sporting the tat!".

I turn and see this guy covered, neck to wrists in traditional-looking tattoos. Holy shite! This was a yakuza looking at me.

Anyway, he just smiled and went about his business. Odd thing though, folks with colors are usually not allowed on such premises in Japan (nor in the capsule hotels). How did that gangster score admission?

I've often wondered.

[Symmetry]

I was at an public bath one time, taking my pre-soak shower and there was a guy next to me staring at my colors (Navy tattoo, left arm).

I remember thinking something assholeish, like, "Yeah! I'm the cool gaijin sporting the tat!".

I turn and see this guy covered, neck to wrists in traditional-looking tattoos. Holy shite! This was a yakuza looking at me.

Anyway, he just smiled and went about his business. Odd thing though, folks with colors are usually not allowed on such premises in Japan (nor in the capsule hotels). How did that gangster score admission?

I've often wondered.

They're not banned everywhere, even yakuza have their places.

[Funkyterrance]

I was at an public bath one time, taking my pre-soak shower and there was a guy next to me staring at my colors (Navy tattoo, left arm).

I remember thinking something assholeish, like, "Yeah! I'm the cool gaijin sporting the tat!".

I turn and see this guy covered, neck to wrists in traditional-looking tattoos. Holy shite! This was a yakuza looking at me.

Anyway, he just smiled and went about his business. Odd thing though, folks with colors are usually not allowed on such premises in Japan (nor in the capsule hotels). How did that gangster score admission?

I've often wondered.

Lol Nobunaga. I wonder what he was actually thinking... Sizing you up? Intrigued? Amused?
Thanks for the insights guys, I find Japanese culture fascinating. I'm glad I got an opportunity to pick your brains.

[Nobunaga]

I was at an public bath one time, taking my pre-soak shower and there was a guy next to me staring at my colors (Navy tattoo, left arm).

I remember thinking something assholeish, like, "Yeah! I'm the cool gaijin sporting the tat!".

I turn and see this guy covered, neck to wrists in traditional-looking tattoos. Holy shite! This was a yakuza looking at me.

Anyway, he just smiled and went about his business. Odd thing though, folks with colors are usually not allowed on such premises in Japan (nor in the capsule hotels). How did that gangster score admission?

I've often wondered.

Lol Nobunaga. I wonder what he was actually thinking... Sizing you up? Intrigued? Amused?
Thanks for the insights guys, I find Japanese culture fascinating. I'm glad I got an opportunity to pick your brains.

Amused, most likely. My tat is a topless Betty Boob in dungarees and a sailor hat.

[muy_thaiguy]

I was at an public bath one time, taking my pre-soak shower and there was a guy next to me staring at my colors (Navy tattoo, left arm).

I remember thinking something assholeish, like, "Yeah! I'm the cool gaijin sporting the tat!".

I turn and see this guy covered, neck to wrists in traditional-looking tattoos. Holy shite! This was a yakuza looking at me.

Anyway, he just smiled and went about his business. Odd thing though, folks with colors are usually not allowed on such premises in Japan (nor in the capsule hotels). How did that gangster score admission?

I've often wondered.

Yeah, you probably chose a bathhouse owned by some yakuza.

[2dimes]

This pole is busted. I can't find the "tentacle pr0n" option.

[bedub1]

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