Does NHK fee collector keep knocking on your door for money?

[Pachipro]

Not aimed at any particular person or persons:

Look, you want to pay for it great! You don't want to pay for it, more power to you, but please don't go around bragging like you're getting over on the man or something.

I couldn't care one way or another whether one pays their NHK fee or cheats with their train pass, but when one brags about it, it makes them look foolish, cheap, and an outcast IMO and further perpetuates the stereotype of gaijin not obeying the rules or following the customs. And, if you brag to your Japanese friends about how you are way "cool" because you don't pay your NHK fee by avoiding the man, or however else one manages to take advantage of the system, it makes it all the more bad for the rest of the foreigners living in Japan as we are then stereotyped as being one of "them".

On the other hand, not following the rules does have its advantages for foreigners, but as far as the Japanese are concerned it is usually expected of us and I for one would like to see that diminished a bit, but I doubt it will happen in my lifetime.

Impress the Japanese and follow the customs no matter how inane and arcane they may seem. It will make for a better experience in the long run and will go a long way to improving the life of all foreigners living there and yet to live there - maybe.

 

[FrustratedDave]

I'm not sure exactly what that entails, but I do know that a lot of people here are taking this topic waaay too seriously. I would have never guessed that a topic about NHK could generate so much heated discussion!

You guys have taken this whole issue WAY too seriously imo. Too each his own I guess.

You see , thats just it, people don't seem to think of things like this as serious, but it is what we do that shapes our image in society. Unfortunately stereotypes and predjiduce is drawn from the few who choose not to abide by what is considered the "norm". Sure if you were in your own country and you decide to make a stand against something like this , their would probably be no repercussions, remember it is their society, their culture, their way of thinking and we have a responsibility to adhere to that, especialy when it is the law we are talking about.

Next you are only going to think that people are taking this topic too seriously if you are unfamiliar with the nature or the mindset of the Japanese people. If you are refering to mine or Dave's posts here as being too serious than I suggest that you walk a mile or two in our shoes before you critisize where we are coming from on this subject.

Exactly! I am not picking on English teachers in general b/c I know a lot who really do try fit in over here and do so very, very well. But I see a lot of English teachers who stay here for 10 years or so and have a very limited grasp on the langauge or even are completely lacking in that department and when I speak to them it is obvious from the begining that they have no clue as to what Japan is really about. Sure that is their lifestyle and they have their problems like anyone else, but how can you expect to make an informed judgment when you only see half the story and lets face it , you can't expect to know fully whats going on if you do not have a grasp on the langauge of where you are living. You can't just rely on the media and the few people that may be able to speak english around you.

Not aimed at any particular person or persons:

Look, you want to pay for it great! You don't want to pay for it, more power to you, but please don't go around bragging like you're getting over on the man or something.

I couldn't care one way or another whether one pays their NHK fee or cheats with their train pass, but when one brags about it, it makes them look foolish, cheap, and an outcast IMO and further perpetuates the stereotype of gaijin not obeying the rules or following the customs. And, if you brag to your Japanese friends about how you are way "cool" because you don't pay your NHK fee by avoiding the man, or however else one manages to take advantage of the system, it makes it all the more bad for the rest of the foreigners living in Japan as we are then stereotyped as being one of "them".

On the other hand, not following the rules does have its advantages for foreigners, but as far as the Japanese are concerned it is usually expected of us and I for one would like to see that diminished a bit, but I doubt it will happen in my lifetime.

Impress the Japanese and follow the customs no matter how inane and arcane they may seem. It will make for a better experience in the long run and will go a long way to improving the life of all foreigners living there and yet to live there - maybe.

I think pachipro makes some goods points here and should be a least considered for anyone to put some of them in your way of thinking.

 

[Chidoriashi]

If you can prove that you dont or better cant watch NHK then i dont think the fee applies to you or the line "i wont pay".
just through interest...why have you kept that TV till now? lol its value is going down sell it quick!

I kept it for when I had people over for parties and stuff. But I have not hosted a party in like over a year now, so there is no reason to hold onto it anymore.

 

[made of stone]

I really like Pachipro's last post - lots of good common sense there.

I do think he's over-emphasizing the importance/existence of gaijin bragging about avoiding the NHK fees, though - I don't see anyone doing that here, and never really met foreigners like that in my years there, either - but I suppose it's an avenue of discussion to address, and one that has to be, perhaps, due to the nature of some of the posts on this thread...

That said, I'd like to try to return the thread to the humour and topic it started with - what to do when that persistent NHK collector comes to call and you don't want to pay!!

The rights or the wrongs of such behaviour aside, here's a song that popped in to my head when I first saw this thread title. I hope that people see the humour, and look beyond the differences of opinion we have that, deeply held, will likely never be resolved by arguing more here.

Here, then, for your delectation, are the words of 'I Am the Resurrection' by the Stone Roses:

Down down, you bring me down
I hear you knocking at my door and I cant sleep at night
Your face, it has no place
No room for you inside my house I need to be alone

Don't waste your words I don't need anything from you
I don't care where you've been or what you plan to do

Turn turn, I wish you'd learn
Theres a time and place for everything Ive got to get it through
Cut loose, cos you're no use
I couldn't stand another second in your company

Don't waste your words I don't need anything from you
I don't care where you've been or what you plan to do

Stone me - why cant you see?
You're a no-one nowhere washed up baby who'd look better dead

Your tongue is far too long
I don't like the way it sucks and slurps upon my every word

Don't waste your words I don't need anything from you
I don't care where you've been or what you plan to do

I am the resurrection and I am the light
I couldn't ever bring myself to hate you as I'd like

I am the resurrection and I am the light
I couldn't ever bring myself to hate you as I'd like