Support NeoGAF

[BocoDragon]

Yep, I may not be a expert in JPN culture but I know its pretty damn unlikely that they would hire a artist from the US who does shit that they could get from one of "their" people. Hell, I don't even know if "very talented" would trump the whole "not native" thing.

And even if they got a job over there . . . as a animator they would be paid jack shit and have to work jack crazy hours.

Well this isn't so much a case of "they're stupid because they like asian things"... it's a case of "they're stupid because they like asian things in a culture which won't reward them for it".

 

[Blackace]

The only interaction many older Asians have had growing up with African-Americans are soldiers. And 18 year olds, of any background, are never really good cultural ambassadors. Especially when for the most part, they interact with the local population to get drunk/laid.

Why weren't white people affected as much? Well, back in the day, there weren't many minorities in leadership positions.

actually, at least in Japan... the black soldiers were decent cultural ambassadors to a lot of the local people. This is one reason there is such a huge connection with Jazz and Japan stemming from WWII..

Also the Japanese government started "comfort houses" for American soldiers and made black and white ones.. The women didn't want to work at the black ones at first but after time most wanted to.. (this isn't a cock joke but I was tempted to write one) the reports of abuse came almost only from the white comfort houses...

The leadership thing is the biggest impression.. and it comes from WWII all the way to almost every major business..

 

[ChiTownBuffalo]

I used to work at my uncle's gas station/convenience store in Watts during the 90's. Yeah, Koreans had not so great attitudes. But the local populace did try to steal from us multiple times a day, and that was only the people that I caught.

I mean, you want to control the business in your own community, but due to banking back then it was hard to do it. Koreans, much like other ethnic groups, simply passed the business on, on much more favorable financial terms, to the new arrivals. Jews did it, Italians did it, and the Irish did it.

 

[BocoDragon]

I personally think western culture has produced better tasting foods. It's sweeter and fatter.

All those spicyness and saltiness just doesn't taste that good. What would you rather have? miso soup or cream of broccoli? Sushi or hamburgers? red bean icicle or ice cream?
tofu pudding or yogurt?

Everything you've said... I would easily pick the asian food. :lol

can't stand most western foods.. and even if they are tasty, it's usually the food you feel shitty and bloated for eating afterwards...

But I'm not one of those people who thinks asian foods are "healthier"... all that salt and meat... tons of carby rice.... Maybe it's "less bad" if anything.

 

[ChiTownBuffalo]

actually, at least in Japan... the black soldiers were decent cultural ambassadors to a lot of the local people. This is one reason there is such a huge connection with Jazz and Japan stemming from WWII..

Also the Japanese government started "comfort houses" for American soldiers and made black and white ones.. The women didn't want to work at the black ones at first but after time most wanted to.. (this isn't a cock joke but I was tempted to write one) the reports of abuse came almost only from the white comfort houses...

The leadership thing is the biggest impression.. and it comes from WWII all the way to almost every major business..

Yeah, Koreans had their own experience with comfort house. Didn't go over so well.

 

[industrian]

I hate Kin Yu Na.

Only because every Korean I know is batshit crazy about her, and has been for the last week, I'm sick of it.

I want her to date Apolo Ohno.

Just wait until she claims Canadian citizenship, that'll fix everything.

The funny thing is living in Japan you see a ton of people who feel the same way about America or the UK... The grass is greener on the otherside.

You mean to tell me there's a subculture of Japanese folk wearing kilts, watching Rab C Nesbitt and eating deep fried Mars bars? Shit son, get me on the first automated mode of transportation over there ASAP.

 

[Norua]

Interesting. Have there ever been any attempts to make a katana out of another grade of metal other than japanese steel? I wonder how the quality of the blade would stand then?

It probably wouldn't be that great. The experts have been working on japanese steel for centuries, and the way they work and forge the steel only apply to this kind. Sometimes a few degrees can change everything, and either ruin the katana, or make it perfect.

A real katana is made by not less than four different expert, each one of them is in charge of one of the step that will constitue the katana. They can spend two weeks on one katana.
Nowadays there is only one or two places in Japan where katanas are still made this way. I saw a REALLY good documentary about this, but it's in french so I doubt you'll be interested. Here it is : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euXQkpU07lQ

 

[Staccat0]

I think its healthy to be drawn to other cultures to a dgree. I love a lot of middle eastern architecture and their writing is gorgeous. I can enjoy some Japanese anime (just the few good ones) and I think bonsai trees are pretty.
I also dig some tribal ryhthms.

Everything in moderation I guess.

 

[BocoDragon]

Everything in moderation I guess.

^

If there is a degree of obsession in any interest... that's when we can say things like sad, pathetic, etc. You'd hope people don't over-fetishize any of this. A little bit of moderate interest is usually just fine.

Same goes for:
-atheism/religion
-marijuana
-alchohol
-porn

etc!

 

[numble]

I personally think western culture has produced better tasting foods. It's sweeter and fatter.

All those spicyness and saltiness just doesn't taste that good. What would you rather have? miso soup or cream of broccoli? Sushi or hamburgers? red bean icicle or ice cream?
tofu pudding or yogurt?

Throughout my entire childhood, my sister and I would would shove away korean dishes and always ask for "American food".

Ice cream is either Persian or Chinese in origin. Yogurt is either Turkish or Indian in origin.

 

[harSon]

I have a question, why do asians of older generations hate black people? I was talking to some of my asian friends and they're always talking about their parents talking about black people and how their parents are like "You can date anyone but blacks and hispanics" and it always surprised me. Of course, they always have a preference for asians, especially those of the same ethnicity, but they seemed to think poorly of blacks. Why is this?

Not to say, this is the case for all of them. I have a Korean friend whose parents love my brother and I

Welcome to my world

I lived in a predominantly Asian part of town for nearly a decade, and there was definitely an apparent disliking, or at the very least no respect, for blacks. And it's certainly strong with the older generation, my mother's grand parents for example, will have nothing to do with my mom because she married a black man. I had the same issue with an Asian GF and her parents, she ended up splitting with me because of it.

And I've said it before, but my friend's mom (they're Vietnamese) has our numbers on her fridge and next to my name she has "Happy My Den" (My Den = Black person apparently) and next to my other friend she has "Angry My Den" :lol

 

[victreeb3l]

One of my best friends gets nothing but asian pussy and he's from Grenada. He used to tell me that they used to be racist towards him when he was a kid but as he grew up, he's got nothing but asian chicks around him, especially at parties where he's like a magnet.

Their parents hate his guts though, but then again racism from older generations from any race doesn't really surprise me.

My other best friend is Chinese and he's like the OP. He never understood why a lot of his friends were so infatuated with his culture and stuff.

 

[harSon]

One of my best friends gets nothing but asian pussy and he's from Grenada. He used to tell me that they used to be racist towards him when he was a kid but as he grew up, he's got nothing but asian chicks around him, especially at parties where he's like a magnet.

Their parents hate his guts though, but then again racism from older generations from any race doesn't really surprise me.

My other best friend is Chinese and he's like the OP. He never understood why a lot of his friends were so infatuated with his culture and stuff.

I see a lot of Black/Asian couples (mostly Black male/Asian female) in San Jose. My friends are into B-Boying (breakdancing) and I've come across a shit ton of asian/black couples at the competitions.

 

[BocoDragon]

My other best friend is Chinese and he's like the OP. He never understood why a lot of his friends were so infatuated with his culture and stuff.

I have no idea why so many of my Asian friends play Call of Duty, watch 24, and go to church.

Why are Asians obsessed with "white" things?

I'm being facetious of course.

 

[victreeb3l]

I see a lot of Black/Asian couples (mostly Black male/Asian female) in San Jose. My friends are into B-Boying (breakdancing) and I've come across a shit ton of asian/black couples at the competitions.

Yeah, he's also one of those hypebeast dudes so I'm not surprised. I guess all it takes are some dunks and a cool fitted.

The best is when we'd throw parties and have only reggae and dancehall playing. Asian girls love that shit for some reason :lol Every party something legendary goes down involving him.

 

[LiveFromKyoto]

What was said about Japan earlier is fairly true. Taxi drivers, garbage collectors, etc. all seem to treat their job seriously, probably most likely because there seems to be less social distaste towards them than in other places. Hard to say really.

Except for late night convenience store workers, who are frequently greasy strung-out piles of seething resentment. It's like that's the only job that type is allowed to have.

 

[-COOLIO-]

does the topic title really fit?

 

[Natetan]

Except for late night convenience store workers, who are frequently greasy strung-out piles of seething resentment. It's like that's the only job that type is allowed to have.

Well, most of those are foreign koreans or chinese

All those spicyness and saltiness just doesn't taste that good. What would you rather have? miso soup or cream of broccoli? Sushi or hamburgers? red bean icicle or ice cream?
tofu pudding or yogurt?

Hmm, your perspective is intriguing. I honestly would prefer the former of any of your choices.

Although I love me some non-gelatinated yogurt. Tofu flower is awesome as well though. mmm.

And what someone said earlier about asian food not necessarily being healthy is very true. I saw a Japanese guy get a gyudon AND a super size napolitan pasta thing for lunch. Japanese, especially guys, eat lots of white rice and youshoku, lots of empty calories and fried food. I guess it's probably not as bad as some other food, but it'st still not very good for you.

 

[Blackace]

I personally think western culture has produced better tasting foods. It's sweeter and fatter.

All those spicyness and saltiness just doesn't taste that good. What would you rather have? miso soup or cream of broccoli? Sushi or hamburgers? red bean icicle or ice cream?
tofu pudding or yogurt?

Throughout my entire childhood, my sister and I would would shove away korean dishes and always ask for "American food".

I get burnt out of too much of anything..

All cultures have produced amazing tasting food.

 

[grumble]

Then, there is a sort of rebuttal that kind of re-affirms what the Op is saying and the whole "Japan(ese culture) is awesome" thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ghfhvTv3Zc

While I think the video is satirical, I don't think it's too far off a stretch to believe some think like this.

Holy shit the girl at 0:46 is a babe

 

[Jangaroo]

All those spicyness and saltiness just doesn't taste that good. What would you rather have? miso soup or cream of broccoli? Sushi or hamburgers? red bean icicle or ice cream?tofu pudding or yogurt?

I will take miso soup over cream of broccoli. Hamburgers over sushi. Red bean popsticks over ice cream, and yogurt over tofu pudding. I guess 2 to 2 evens out?

 

[Shouta]

I love Japan, and I love Seattle..

Now in my 7th year here married and with a home... I don't see most of these (not exaclty your post but it was shorter than the one you quoted) to be valid...

I majored in Japanese history and culture and to this day still study it.. But I think a lot of stuff at face value is over-blown..

Just ignore, Kaeru. He's the usual -ophile

Anyway, I don't really like traditional Japanese food. Would definitely prefer food from just about any other place.

 

[Blackace]

Just ignore, Kaeru. He's the usual -ophile

Anyway, I don't really like traditional Japanese food. Would definitely prefer food from just about any other place.

must be having it tough in the inaka...

I love Japanese new year's food tho... just awesome

 

[Haly]

I don't think I've met anyone the OP's described, except for the "azn pride" kids in high school. And it wasn't really even that they were actually proud of their heritage, just clique mentality.

 

[Blackace]

I don't think I've met anyone the OP's described, except for the "azn pride" kids in high school. And it wasn't really even that they were actually proud of their heritage, just clique mentality.

there are a lot of people who believe Japan is some magical world of all good things..

 

[LQX]

Anime

 

[LiveFromKyoto]

there are a lot of people who believe Japan is some magical world of all good things..

And they write horrible Nihonjinron.

...wait, you meant foreigners.

 

[braves01]

Are any Gaffers able to comment on the ethnic Japanese population in Brazil? I know Brazil has the second largest population of Japanese outside of Japan itself due to some labor/immigration policies that encouraged it, but it's always seemed bizarre to me imagining these massive Japanese communities in South America. I guess it's no different than large immigrant communities here, but it's just one of those things I never would have guessed without being explicitly told.

 

[RSLAEV]

Anime

Pretty much. I'm a giant manchild and I like boobs, comics, cartoons and video games, so japans pretty much where I get my fix.

 

[Natetan]

Are any Gaffers able to comment on the ethnic Japanese population in Brazil? I know Brazil has the second largest population of Japanese outside of Japan itself due to some labor/immigration policies that encouraged it, but it's always seemed bizarre to me imagining these massive Japanese communities in South America. I guess it's no different than large immigrant communities here, but it's just one of those things I never would have guessed without being explicitly told.

I know that a lot of them have returned to Japan. Many work in factories when they 'come back', and so factory town municipalities have a lot of info in Japanese, Portuguese, and English.

 

[ChiTownBuffalo]

I don't think I've met anyone the OP's described, except for the "azn pride" kids in high school. And it wasn't really even that they were actually proud of their heritage, just clique mentality.

I'm referring to mostly the people who objectify/fetishize Asian culture.

The line of difference between interest and objectification is how one treats the culture.

If you have an interest, you explore that interest, focus on some aspect of the culture for your own satisfaction. Where objectification becomes an issues is where you think you can acquire the culture. Which is a different than normal interest and cultural immersion.

Yeah, I suppose the most overt example is that raging weeaboo.

The title of the thread was changed, I was just curious about what it was that some non-Asians found SO much better about western culture. As someone raised between two cultures, I take a more a la carte. I take what I like from each one, and criticize what I don't like. But I just don't see that there are things that are so incredibly desirable/or makes them superior, one way or the other. Not where I would completely discard one cultural identity for the other.

Example: Winter Olympics. I'm not cheering for South Korea in the Olympics. My personal perception of South Korean speed skating team is that they cheat, in individual events, they team skate. I know the whole "you're not trying if you're not cheating" thing. I just don't care for it. And Kim Yu Na, I just don't care about women's figure skating.

In the World Cup, I'll cheer for both Korea and the US.

What I see in the people I wonder about is this weird.....gushing, and just bizzare ass behavior. Like at a party a couple weeks ago, met this dude, and he spoke to me in Mandarin.

Guy: *something in Mandarin*

Me: Uhm...I don't speak Chinese.

Guy: Oh, well its not Chinese, its Mandarin. Sorry for assuming, you just look so Mandarin.

Me: Uh...

Guy: And my Japanese isn't so good.

Me: Well, I actually look really Korean.

Guy: Who told you that? Not at all.

Me: Yeah.....uhm, nice meeting you, I'm gonna get a beer.

*10 minutes later*

Guy: So, do you watch anime?

The whole night was like that, I came to the party with a friend, an Asian women, and he was pretty much creepier with her and spent all night trying to get us to talk about Asian things.

I think if I had Asian female friends share stories, they'd paint a much clearer picture from.

I don't think I explained it well. Just, there's just a feeling that I get...like, you're not just generally curious/interested and plain creepy.

Gah, I'm gonna get banned again.

Oh, those AzN PrYdE kids are stupid.

 

[345triangle]

Yeah the girls are cute, but....they don't shave.

i have actually found this to be disappointingly untrue (at least, as a rule of thumb).

not that i mind either way, but variety is what it is.

i like living in east asia and specifically japan because, for all its problems, it is clean and safe and convenient and advanced and the people don't like to offend other people and the food is good and people ride bikes and no-one goes outside in tracksuits. it's a lifestyle that works for me, and i've never watched an anime series in my life.

 

[Zyzyxxz]

I'm Chinese but I'm pretty well educated and I know every society has its problems but if I were to choose one I'm more inclined to want to be part of it would be European cultures.

I really dig the good parts of Italian, French, and several other Euro countries (if only I could live in a country with all the good characteristics).

Recently I've been falling in love with Vancouver without even having been there.

I'll admit I am a bit dissatisfied with my life which could help explain it. We will always be looking at something else (the grass is always greener) and envying it. Human nature for some strange reason.

 

[triplestation]

I'm sure some people force themselves to have sushi be their favorite food.

 

[BocoDragon]

Recently I've been falling in love with Vancouver without even having been there.

You should move here... we've never had a Chinese citizen before.

 

[Zyzyxxz]

You should move here... we've never had a Chinese citizen before.

:lol

Well I sometimes tire of LA and its super segregated culture and the traffic sucks too. The food scene in Vancouver looks very unpretentious too.

 

[AFreak]

Asians are hot. One of the big reasons I moved to China. Just to be in a wider girth of women with Asian decent. However, I feel I picked the wrong country. As stated, I really really love Korean ladies. But CHina has their damn fine too. so now I'm just rambling. g'day.

 

[jamesinclair]

I don't know if I'd call it Asian Supremacy but as someone who has lived in the Bay Area for half of his life, much of which was within the "Asian" part of San Jose, I've noticed that Asians seem more likely to voluntarily segregate themselves in groups. And it's not just recent immigrants; 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation Asians tend to do it in droves too. And as someone who is ethnically mixed and prides himself in having a diverse group of friends, it really bothers me.

Yeah, it really annoyed me in college. It's painfully obvious on facebook too, where the friends list is spelled out for you.

I get if you've just arrived in american for college and don't speak english too well....but Im talking about people who grew up in the US, and still interact 90% of the time only with other asians.

 

[LuCkymoON]

I try to hide it, but then it comes out in my dry cleaning skills.

You thought I was gonna say math, right? Ha.

This is one of the funniest post on Neogaf.

 

[Shouta]

must be having it tough in the inaka...

I love Japanese new year's food tho... just awesome

I get by somehow. I get some odd food stuffs from my mom on occasion and I use that whenever. I cook Italian, Chinese, Thai, and the like whenever I have the ingredients. In fact, I had Thai Red Curry this weekend, so damn good.

 

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

.............. I like Chinese food.

 

[ili0926]

I think people just romanticize cultures that seem exotic to them. To me, Chinese culture seems pretty boring compared to European/Russian culture. People used to be so obsessed with Egyptian culture back in the day. Being brought up in a Chinese household, I guess I'm pretty desensitized to aspects of Chinese culture that people brought up in western households might find fascinating, and vice-versa.




Asian food wins by a country mile though, I must say.

 

[Replicant]

Aren't Asians kinda in love with western culture?

They do.

 

[Blackace]

no-one goes outside in tracksuits.

I have no problem with anything you said but this... are we talking about the same Japan?

 

[AFreak]

Asian food wins by a country mile though, I must say.

I've always enjoyed mexican myself. Give me a stuffed green pepper any day. Although Indian is damn high on the list too. I think I just love food(maybe it's why I'm fat )

 

[Kozak]

Asian food wins by a country mile though, I must say.

Thai food carries the whole "Asian food" group.

 

[PantherLotus]

I think all cultures are fascinating, and every culture has beautiful women.

 

[Natetan]

I get by somehow. I get some odd food stuffs from my mom on occasion and I use that whenever. I cook Italian, Chinese, Thai, and the like whenever I have the ingredients. In fact, I had Thai Red Curry this weekend, so damn good.

Yeah, inaka ain't so bad. If you have a Jusco near you, a lot of times they'll have some decent breads, Taco kits, cheese besides hokkaido camembert. And of course all the other asian foods like curries, SE asian stuff, etc. I was able to find a decent bakery in any city I lived in that sold darkish non-shokupan breads.

 

[345triangle]

I have no problem with anything you said but this... are we talking about the same Japan?

hmm...okay maybe i should change that to "no-one under 30 that should take pride in their appearance goes out shopping in the centre of osaka wearing clothes from the 'room wear' section of uniqlo", but that's still very much in contrast to where i'm from!

 

[Apath]

I've always enjoyed mexican myself. Give me a stuffed green pepper any day. Although Indian is damn high on the list too. I think I just love food(maybe it's why I'm fat )

Haha, opposite of me. Indian and Mexican food are amongst the bottom of my list. I do like a good chicken taco or curry every now and then though.

If I could have dumplings, ramen, and sushi every day I'd be in heaven.