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Your "bi-cultural" point is interesting, and I don't know how much it is seriously explored. Do you think it's possible for someone with no prior connection to

by ue_ 9y ago

Your "bi-cultural" point is interesting, and I don't know how much it is seriously explored. Do you think it's possible for someone with no prior connection to a place to "adopt" the culture by living there? Judging by one's personal feeling, perhaps, but can the same be said about how others might consider you? The reaction your classmates faced seems to exemplify this dichotomy. Your point about the chimpanzee analogy, if I may say, was saddening to hear given the apparently (to me) growing acceptance of people from different backgrounds and histories joining into various societies. I don't know if I could live with that kind of thinking about me; I don't want to make people uncomfortable. I don't want to be treated specially either. I would prefer to be like everyone else, which for all practical purposes I would be, except where I grew up and my physical characteristics. I'd appreciate your opinion on whether you think attitudes have changed, or that they might change, especially in Japan? Or will I remain the eternal foreigner if I were to ever live there?

Baeocystin 9y ago
Not the person you asked, but you need to understand this straight up: You will always be the foreigner. Period. If you don't want to stand out, and feel the need to blend in, you need to live where you grew up. That's that. Here's the thing, though. Being 'the foreigner' is not a bad thing. I grew up as the only white kid 99% of the people I interacted with had ever seen. Some of the smaller villages we travelled through, we had to enter/leave at night, because otherwise our simple presence would draw dangerously large crowds. No hyperbole. There were times I was sick and tired of it. But being the odd one out opened ten doors for every one it closed, and I got to meet an incredible variety of fascinating folks from around the world. That would have been impossible if I was just another member of the throng, too. There are literally billions of other humans out there, and even in the most different of cultures, you will be able to find friends. Even in places that see you as a permanent outsider. It takes work. But it is 100% worth it.

by ue_ 9y ago

Baeocystin 9y ago

Not the person you asked, but you need to understand this straight up: You will always be the foreigner. Period. If you don't want to stand out, and feel the need to blend in, you need to live where you grew up. That's that. Here's the thing, though. Being 'the foreigner' is not a bad thing. I grew up as the only white kid 99% of the people I interacted with had ever seen. Some of the smaller villages we travelled through, we had to enter/leave at night, because otherwise our simple presence would draw dangerously large crowds. No hyperbole. There were times I was sick and tired of it. But being the odd one out opened ten doors for every one it closed, and I got to meet an incredible variety of fascinating folks from around the world. That would have been impossible if I was just another member of the throng, too. There are literally billions of other humans out there, and even in the most different of cultures, you will be able to find friends. Even in places that see you as a permanent outsider. It takes work. But it is 100% worth it.