Japanese think their language is the most difficult in the world
I've often had the impression my friends are delighted to think that the Japanese language is incredibly difficult to learn. When I've told them that I found French much more difficult they've seemed disappointed and/or mildy insulted.
- Japanese think that foreigners cannot learn Japanese
Absolutely.
In supermarkets/dept stores etc, the staff will almost always address a foreigner in Japanese. Are they expecting to not be understood and just going through the motions?
Yes-they're just reeling off their lines.
Being a careless sort, I've left items on train seats several times. Each time a Japanese passenger has kindly retrieved the item and handed it to me- but always with arm gestures, grunts and smiles, never a 'sumimasen'.
I was waiting for Shinagawa shinkansen station to open the other morning, with about a dozen Japanese fellow travellers. As the gates opened up, the staff on the barriers said a cheery 'ohayo gozaimasu' to each traveller as he/she passed through the barrier- except me. Did they want to be rude, or did they think that I wouldn't understand that simplest of greetings? Both are pretty bad... Anyway, after waiting a few seconds while the staff shuffled nervously I ventured my own 'ohayo gozaimasu' and was greeted by an embarrassed avalanche of replies.
A friend of mine (18 year old US blonde student, fluent Japanese, friendly, outgoing, intelligent etc) applied for a job at MacDonald's. After an enjoyable interview, the obviously impressed interviewer said that although she was perfect in Japanese, and would make a wonderful employee, he could not offer the job because Japanese customers would assume she couldn't speak Japanese, and would not know what to do.
- Japanese consider their country *more unique* that other "unique" countries
Some of my friends have been surprised to learn that the UK has cherry blossoms. But no-one's been daft enough to think that only Japan has four seasons.
- Japanese look down on people from other Asian countries
Doesn't seem to be the case with any of my friends.
- Japanese are ignorant of history
I've never met a Japanese who has shown any interest in history whatsoever, except the history of European and American whaling on which they seemed to be experts.
- Japanese think they're bad at languages
While riding on a tourist boat on the Thames in London, my Japanese ex-girlfriend was amazed that none of the other (mostly European looking) customers was listening to the (English) commentary. I explained that they seemed to be Italians and Spaniards, and seemed not to be able to understand English. "Eeeeeee ????" she replied. "Gaijin da noni!!!" I asked her why she thought all non-Japanese could understand English.
"Because they learn it at school" she replied.
"But so do you..."
"But we are Japaneesu!"
EDIT - must add that she was smiling broadly at this point...!
- Many Japanese will freak out when spoken to in Japanese by a foreigner, and not understand despite the supposed "fluent" Japanese
I'm not fluent so I can't really comment. However, my Japanese is understandable (I think.) However, any question or request of mine directed at a waiter or shop assistant will be answered directly to my Japanese companion.
- Many Japanese will try to answer in bad English after ng asked a question in "fluent" Japanese
I remember chatting to staff member on the door of a livehouse... this conversation was entirely in Japanese.
"Hi, I've come to see my friend's band"
"I understand. What's the name?
"Kanako"
"She's on in ten minutes."
"Great! My name should be on the list. How much is it?"
At this point she fumbled around for ages in her handbag for a piece of paper and a pen, then wrote down 2000 YEN. I asked her why she'd written it down instead of telling me.
"Because I can't speak English"