Which is easier to understand, Japan or America?

[mad pierrot]

When I ask if it is easy to understand American culture, most of my Japanese friends will unanimously respond with yes. They resoundingly call America simple. On the other hand, they remain skeptic about my ability to understand Japanese culture, or see me as a rarity when I demonstrate I can.
I ask this because of questions I've been asked about America. It seems they assume they know the answer to the question before they ask. They want affirmation. When I answer to the contrary, an argument ensues. (Which brings me to wonder why they asked in the first place.)


Example:
A-san: This is the Japanese way of doing this. What is the American way?
B-san: Well, the really isn't a single American way for this.
A-san: No, I think Americans do it this way, the way I heard.

Which is more difficult to understand? I vote America.

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PS-As it's my intention to create debate and not fights, try not to take too things too seriously here. There can be no right or wrong answers, only opinions. Let's hear em.

 

[Maciamo]

I think that many Japanese do not understand how diverse the US (or Europe for that matter) are. In Japan things tend to be easier to generalise because of the strong racial, cultural, linguistic and educational homogenity.

 

[lexico]

I really don't think either has a good understanding of the other although it might be considered biased to say impossible. How about employing the contrasted analogy of conjugal perception between a couple in a Victorian marriage and a marriage of convenience ? But of course, that would be a gross simlpification !

 

[mad pierrot]

I really don't think either has a good understanding of the other

I'm willing to agree with that. But I'm not asking which country understands which better. I'm asking if you think it's hard for Japanese people to understand America. Or vice versa.

 

[alexriversan]

now i am bandwagoning: my new song "coffe for the rat's"-

more easy to understand for american or for japanese?

ur just three clicks away from it- my msn group(english), lowtown entertainment.

if u do not understand it, also good.

why i merge in here because the content of actual psychology research (in america)- can japanese people easily understand the subject?

i say easily...probably not.

 

[lexico]

I understand your frustration, MadPierrot. I recognized your point in your question. The only reason I hesitate to comment on that is because I would be making a judgement on ability.... I don't want to be racist, not only that, but make an incorrect statement. I'd be proven wrong whatever my answer was.


For people with a flexible brain, I guess they would pick up new cultures quite fine. I think getting out of one's comfort zone, and moving into another culture itself is great education; whereas for heavily unenlightened people with strong-headed biases and little self-awareness, they could never learn another culture.

 

[alexriversan]

I understand your frustration, MadPierrot. I recognized your point in your question. The only reason I hesitate to comment on that is because I would be making a judgement on ability.... I don't want to be racist, not only that, but make an incorrect statement. I'd be proven wrong whatever my answer was.
...

i can translate what you write- internally. now, you mean so-called redneck? and, they even understand the own people? we know, they don't. recently, i read, "families aren't always supportive" (psychology today).

now, japan puts stronger emphasis on family (traditionally).

but, i do not know: can they easily understand, why american student drops?

or, are americans better to feel into japanese custom, including even suicide?

(it adds data to read the page i scanned from the psyochology magazine)

Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist - here to help.

 

[Ma Cherie]

Ah, MadPierrot, this is interesting. I honestly think it's vice versa, for one, like Mac said the US and Europe are diverse, and Japan is more homogenous. I believe the Japanese may not understand why America or the West in general are more diverse. But Americans may not understand why Japane is so homogenous. At any rate, what do your friends mean that America is simple? ☝

 

[jhough37]

Ohh, good question. I would think that it is easier to understand Japan, as an American, for the same reasons that many people have already said, everything I have been exposed to has really shown Japan to be a pretty homogenous culture. But also because of my cynical view I wonder if this is really how it is. I know throughout the world people have a pretty singular view of Americans but most foreigners I know who come to America are suprised by the complexity of certain things (i.e. language, customs in different parts of the country). I guess I will get to do my own testing when I get to Japan in 3 weeks.

 

[misa.j]

I voted for America, although I didn't have much of a hard time adjusting to its culture, still there are lots to learn about this country. I don't think there is any American way for anything except some of the rules that everybody follows.

On the other hand, Japanese culture and their ways of thinking seem to be pretty much on the target when I hear someone talking about it, even though some Japanese are not as open, so you can misunderstand what they are really thinking.

It takes time and effort for one to fully understand another culture.

 

[mad pierrot]

At any rate, what do your friends mean that America is simple?

Simple, as that in American "culture" is easy to understand.
Well, Maciamo pretty much nailed the point I wanted to make right on the head. And it seem like others agree, too.

I don't think there is any American way for anything except some of the rules that everybody follows.

This concept is alien at best to most Japanese people, especially considering all the stereotyping TV programs and movies they've seen.

 

[misa.j]

This concept is alien at best to most Japanese people, especially considering all the stereotyping TV programs and movies they致e seen.

Most Japanese think that Americans live in a big house with a nice lawn, have two cars and a golden retriever and eat cereal for breakfast everyday. Sorry, I'm just joking.

Do you know what kind of TV shows they have in Japan that could give stereotypes of America to Japanese? I'm just curious.

 

[lexico]

Good question. And what about the stereotyping of Japan/Japanese people by the west/America ? I've read at least one critical article about the Japanese being 'imitative' of the West, but that article provided evidence that it was a convenient stereotyping of Japan for Europeans/Americans. They do make interesting reads, but in regards to historical accuracy might be highly misleading. The idea has become quite popular even in Japan, and developed to higher degrees of sophistication, although how much substance there is to it, I'm really not sure.

Why is it still okay to simplify and make sweeping statements on Japan/the Japanese ? Why are there fewer arguments pointing at the internal complexity and diversity that exists in Japan coming from individuals both in and out of Japan ? Japan=uniform/collectivist (much more), the West=individualist (much more): that kind of characterization isn't going to help much in understanding Japan better. One Japanese member Pipokun often points at how 'diverse' Japanese society can be, and how great the headache is to deal with such 'non-conformist' ideas and individuals.

edit: The film M. Butterfly with Jeremy Irons, although it deals with China, seriously criticized how much 'Madame Butterfly'-ish stereotyping of Asian cultures was vastly misleading to the point of being deadly.

 

[jarvis]

I would say about the same, japan has been around longer..but doesn't have near as much immigrants from different countries....america has about every different world population you can think of.

 

[mad pierrot]

Do you know what kind of TV shows they have in Japan that could give stereotypes of America to Japanese? I'm just curious.

Sure. Berverly Hills 90210 and Smallville, just to name a few off the top of my head. I'm not saying that Japanese TV goes out of it's way to make generalizations about America. The trashy popular shows/movies that make their ways overseas are responsible. I'm not blaming anyone. Who can help that trashy hollywood culture is so popular? That junk from America gets exported everywhere.

Why is it still okay to simplify and make sweeping statements on Japan/the Japanese ?

Because it's easier. (joke) Seriously, who said it's okay? In fact, Japan's internal complexities are my favorite topic to talk about with Japanese people. The burakumin, ainu, social stratification, etc. Generally, I can't find people who want to talk about those issues, but of course I'm not speaking for the whole of Japan. And don't even get me started on American view's of Japan. They're awful. I did a letter exchange with some American students and had them writing to my Japanese students saying stuff like "I don't hate Chinese people, I love Chinese food, etc." (They should get some slack, though, because they were inner city students from a low income area. It's probably a miracle they can even make it to school.)

Actually, I think someone should start a thread on Western stereotypes of Japan.

 

[misa.j]

Wow, Berverly Hills 90210! I used to watch that show when I was in Japan more than 10 years ago. I know, it's bad, but I watched it because I couldn't find many imported American shows on TV to practice my listening skill.

That junk from America gets exported everywhere.

And that's where most people get stereotypes of other countries from, TV, which I think is a very limited access to a real life.