Does Japan accept Shy/Quiet people much more than Us does?

[pinson27]

yea guys, i have never gone to japan ,so bear with me. I have alot of curiosity.

The only Japanese people i have chatted with at length are people i meet in voice chats or text chats. Many of them seem to be quiet and reserved, you could even say they are shy. I'm shy myself but sometimes it seems i'm not shy compared to them.

One of the questions that i have is, how is it that Japanese people who are shy are able to have Jobs that in America would be geared towards Outgoing loud people? I say this because me as a shy person have never been accepted in Jobs such as receptionist, and would never in my life be suited to be a Tourist guide. Yet, Japanese people who are much shyer than me have those jobs and apparently do not have problems.

All i can think of is American society does not really like shy people while Japan may be more accepting. Is this true, or then why are shy people in japan( who are many times shyer than their American counterpart) able to do things that shy americans wouldn't?

 

[Nall-ohki]

The following is merely my opinion:

Japanese society is highly ritualized. This has a couple of effects, including a lack of uncertainty of what should be said in social situations.

In Japanese, there are a great number of expressions which allow both parties to interact without having to use any creativity.

One of the effects of this is that many Japanese people can survive by being very shy and allowing everything to happen without any real interaction beyond the required ritual phrases.

This is how I think shy Japanese are able to function better in society: society doesn't require as much from them.

 

[Cheery Cherry]

Hmmm...I don't really feel that Japanese people are more shy, I just think that it really depends on who they are conversing with. When I first came to America, people thought that I was very shy just because I didn't really talk all that much but I didn't talk because I wasn't certain on how to speak English correctly and express myself in a way that Americans will understand exactly what I was saying. I was also trying to take in all the new things around me so I observed everything a lot, quietly.

 

[Mycernius]

I think you are confusing shy with reserved. Just because someone doesn't appear outgoing doesn't mean that they are shy. Compared to Americans they are not likely to start a conversation. They are not the only people in the world that might appear that way to an American. The English are reserved. I don't engage in conversation when I'm on a train or bus. In the US I was always approached by people wanting to talk. As a typical Englisman, it isn't something I find comfortable. I am not shy, it is just my culture and I think the Japanese have a very similar culture towards strangers.

 

[masaus]

When I first came to America, people thought that I was very shy just because I didn't really talk all that much but I didn't talk because I wasn't certain on how to speak English correctly and express myself in a way that Americans will understand exactly what I was saying. I was also trying to take in all the new things around me so I observed everything a lot, quietly.

Yep, same thing here. Typical Japanese people don't have confidence to speak English with English native speakers. So they don't talk much with native speakers.

Also long time ago, I was taught iat school, "Silence is gold, eloquence is silver". So Silence is kinda Japanese culture.

Of course things have been really changed these days, some there might not be so many shy people in Japan.

 

[Mrjones]

Typical
Also long time ago, I was taught iat school, "Silence is gold, eloquence is silver".

Which is not true. Being silent does not make communication anyeasier. Communication skills are most needed skills in Japanese companies today, it is very valued. I dont agree, and dont fully understand what they mean with communication. In mean of destroying typical Japanese stereotypes, I write, they are just like everybody else. Even more noisy when needed.

 

[Cheery Cherry]

they are just like everybody else. Even more noisy when needed.

Exactly my thoughts...I have lived in three different countries and visited two more. I have noticed that generally speaking, people are people no matter where they are from.

 

[maushan3]

While the typical stereotype for the Asian person is quiet and/or reserved, I have come to conclusion that it really depends on the individual.
I might add an example, I Know 2 Japanese exchange students and one of them was reserved, not shy. He only said what was necessary and once we got to know each other a little bit better, he opened up. The other Japanese person I know is really outgoing and always tries to get the conversation going. He really makes an effort to speak Spanish and I really feel that.

Mauricio