Stereotypes

[Sylvor]

Hello
My name is whisky158 and I'm new here. I am currently studying japanese culture because I definitly want to go to Japan in the future.
I might ask some stupid questions, but hey, it's with asking questions that we learn
I was wondering if all those stereotypes ( like people with blonde or dyed hair ) are true?

 

[Ashikaga]

Hello & Welcome!

Now, about your question... What ARE the stereotypes you are talking about? What ABOUT people with blonde or dyed hair? Does this have anything to do with Japan? :?

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

Of course they're all true. Every stereotype is true. Otherwise where would they come from?

 

[Sylvor]

I mean things like: People with blonde hair are looked at in Japan, People with dyed hair are grouped with delinquents, etc. etc.
You know, like saying that the Russians drink Vodka for breakfast, which isn't true.

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

I mean things like: People with blonde hair are looked at in Japan, People with dyed hair are grouped with delinquents, etc. etc.

If you have blond hair you tend to stand out. Therefore you get noticed.

Dyed hair is more interesting. A lot of older women dye their hair purple. I guess it's their fashion. As far as younger people dying their hair....that's not the crowd I spent time with, so I wouldn't know. However, I would imagine it would be considered immature in many cases.

Japan is a lot more "uptight" in polite company than it seems to be in the West.

You know, like saying that the Russians drink Vodka for breakfast, which isn't true.

They don't? I suppose you're also going to try to convince me that not all Norwegians are airheads!

 

[Sylvor]

They don't? I suppose you're also going to try to convince me that not all Norwegians are airheads!

Yes, I am. For 1: they aren't ALL airheads, and for 2: I like contradicting people.

Now seriously, is there some historical reason for this or is it just ... like it is?

 

[DemstarAus]

I though herring would be the go-to for a Norwegian stereotype, but that's just me? When older women dye their hair purple, is it when they have white hair? Because sometimes hairdressers overdo it on the white toner and it comes out a pale blue or purple... but if they actually go violet purple, awesome!

I asked a similar thing, about what I could do to make myself fit in, but as a Westerner, there simply is no way of avoiding attention, so you might as well just be yourself, and put more effort into learning a bit of Japanese language and etiquette. You DO NOT want to seem boorish or rude.

 

[Glenski]

Doesn't matter if your hair color is blonde, green, fluorescent pink or black. If you don't have an Asian face to go along with it, you are going to be looked at. Get used to that. It may not be as third-degree as you imagine.

 

[Sylvor]

I think you people are misunderstanding something. I'm not just talking about European and American people, but also the Asian population. I just want to know if people, Asian or Westerner ( didn't even know that this word existed ), with blonde or dyed hair are looked at.

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

I though herring would be the go-to for a Norwegian stereotype, but that's just me?

Yeah, that's a good one, too.

When older women dye their hair purple, is it when they have white hair? Because sometimes hairdressers overdo it on the white toner and it comes out a pale blue or purple... but if they actually go violet purple, awesome!

It's quite intentional. Usually it looks pretty nice, I have to say. It's not a bright neon purple, but it's purple.

You DO NOT want to seem boorish or rude.

No, that's the Brazilians' job! Oops, there goes another stereotype. I used to come in contact with a lot of Brazilians in Japan, and they were almost universally very nice, although they definately had a non-Japanese culture. I have heard that in the Hamamatsu area there are some gangs, but I don't know for certain.

I just want to know if people, Asian or Westerner ( didn't even know that this word existed ), with blonde or dyed hair are looked at.

I think anything that sticks out gets looked at.

 

[Sylvor]

To recap, from what I understood, you stand out in Japan as a foreigner, pretty much as in every country that one visits, and people who have an " abnormal " habit stand out as well?:?

 

[Brownbo]

Ha ha, I find that all of our difference is what makes the world so interesting, and for the record...not all Norwegians are airheads, just MOST of them...

 

[Glenski]

I just want to know if people, Asian or Westerner ( didn't even know that this word existed ), with blonde or dyed hair are looked at.

Dyed can be any color, brown to black to orange. As mentioned, abnormal colors will stick out (in any country). For Japan, anything other than black or dark brown usually sticks out, no matter what your nationality.

Westerners will stick out no matter what their hair color (unless they are Asian by heritage). In more metropolitan areas, there may very well be less staring because they've seen it a lot.

What are you so obsessed with this for? Come and have a good time.

 

[Sylvor]

Ah, while we're at it, I'm going to ask another question. I have a teacher who has given French in a self-build school in Japan for around 3 years or so. She told that if you don't fully master japanese, you shouldn't use it in Japan, because the japanese will take it as an insult. Is this true? :?

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

She told that if you don't fully master japanese, you shouldn't use it in Japan, because the japanese will take it as an insult. Is this true? :?

This is most certainly not true for the vast majority of people. I think many people like to hear foreigners try to speak Japanese.

Having said that, It seems to me that when you do start to speak Japanese, people will assume one of two things: either that you're a beginner or that you've mastered the language. There seems to be little to no in-between.

 

[DemstarAus]

Ah, while we're at it, I'm going to ask another question. I have a teacher who has given French in a self-build school in Japan for around 3 years or so. She told that if you don't fully master japanese, you shouldn't use it in Japan, because the japanese will take it as an insult. Is this true? :?

Not that I've been, but I've always thought that they'd appreciate any effort to speak their language? I'm sure that people in general don't see it as an insult. Thinking of here in Australia, what tends to peeve people off is not making any effort whatsoever to learn English, and if you have enough to get around, people are far more 'tolerant'. Especially if said non-native speaker has moved to Australia, not just for a holiday. Seems kinda strange but that's just what I see.

 

[Z0mbie]

Don't just assume.

I believe we are kind of dancing around the main point. I have been to Japan once, and have had two foreign exchange students from Japan.

When it comes to it, if you are not asian.... You will stick out. An obvious fact that Mikawa pointed out. No they are not looked down upon, and it is not associated with gangs (To my knowing). Although it is not popular, I saw a decent amount of japanese with blonde hair. Times are changing in Japan.

Also, Japanese greatly appreciate you attempting to speak their language. Even if it is only you saying one or two words. This makes it a lot easier on them. For example if a french person came to America, and was trying to ask where the restroom is. You would much rather them just ask , "Restroom.... where?" Instead of a french expression you don't know.

So just be careful the stereotypes you believe. My most recent foreign exchange student (who is still with me), heard that in America ... We look down on girls who wear shorts. So she therefore packed none.

 

[Glenski]

I'll just add my agreement that trying to speak Japanese, even imperfectly, will not insult anyone in Japan (except perhaps a foreigner who is trying to understand you!). Lose the stereotypes, and stop listening to that French teacher.

 

[ewalker]

I think that stereotypes apply to before but not in recent generations as the culture has been diverse and got affected by a lot of others. They are considered to be stereotyped because they have a basis for it and that is part of what happened before. Probably because of much influence, only a part of it remains real while the other aspect can just be blamed to aesthetics.