Asian Pride?

Question

Why do orientals (from all of asia, not just japan and i don't mean to offend you with the word "orientals") dislike people of other races trying to act like them?

You see, I have an immense respect for the oriental culture, and I want to learn as much as I can about it. Sometimes I wish I was asian in a way hehe, but I've noticed that not many asians like to hear that. I don't mean to offend their culture in any way, because I deeply respect it soooo much.

I said "no offense" in parentheses to the use of the word "oriental" for a reason.

Well I am White and I lie in a America. I'm sure asians are made fun and looked down upon here sometimes, but not all the time. I am not like them, however. I am starting to really consider moving to japan when I am older.

I also do not believe that the Memoirs of a Geisha book and movie are authenitic, and I have currently read two more books on Geisha; Geisha: A Life by Mineko Iwasaki and Geisha by Liza Dalby

Answer 1

♡I can only give you MY OPINION from what I know as an American living in Japan for many years now. I have never known of any Japanese people who "disliked" me for learning and speaking Japanese, for learning and following Japanese customs and traditions, for living in a Japanese style home, for marrying a Japanese man and so on. I do things the Japanese way because that's how it's done HERE. I have always been praised for my efforts not disliked. Most people here in Japan have helped me learn the correct Japanese ways, not discourage me. I never "try to be" Japanese, because I'M AMERICAN. I think they are glad if I learn the "correct" and "proper" ways though. I think when some people TRY TO BE Japanese and misrepresent something about the Japanese culture, it may be insulting. But ANY culture would feel bad in this case! People have a lot of misconceptions about Japan. Japanese are people just like anyone else, they are as proud as any other country, no more, no less. The best thing for you to do would be to go to the country of your choice and see culture and people first hand. If Japan, you can try to get a Cultural Visa- for specific studies on Japanese culture or arts, or activities for the purpose of learning and acquiring skills in Japanese culture or arts under the guidance of experts (for example, ikebana, tea ceremony, judo, etc.). You can also learn more about Japanese culture here:
http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/culture/culture.html
http://www.explorejapan.com/jculture.htm
http://www.amphi.com/~psteffen/fmf/culture.htm
Hope this helps you! ♡

Answer 2

Man, that question would be offensive on so many levels. I realise that you don't know what you are talking about so I'll give you a break. Ok, first "oriental" is used to refer to objects, not people. ASIAN people like other cultures just fine. In fact, ALL the Japanese girls I hang out with love American culture. Calling yourself a GEISHA is probably the dumbest "gaijin" thing you can do. (yeah, look up the word) You obviously haven't studied up on any asian culture if you think Memoirs of a Geisha is authentic Japan. I was born and raised in Japan. 20 years. I am american. I don't try to be Japanese, I just try to understand them. Be yourself. That's LESS offensive and shows more respect than trying to fake something you think is ORIENTAL......

Answer 3

I accept as true with you to a detailed quantity - however (and I did not understand this being a few white-bread child from the backwaters) the principal factor to don't forget is that there are 2 sorts of Asians in America... the FOBs "Fresh of the Boat" and the Americanized-Asian children. The 2 facets do not quite get together with each and every different and they have obtained very, very distinct interpretations of what having satisfaction method in those situations. The FOBs have a tendency to stay in combination since of language problems and cultural backgrounds (ie/ all of us grew up in Thailand earlier than we moved right here - so all of us recognize Thai tradition larger than American tradition) I agree one hundred% with you that no institution will have to exclude others that wish to gain knowledge of and percentage - it is simply human nature nevertheless to keep on with what you already know. In the equal manner that if I moved to a brand new town in which I did not understand any one, I'd generally be relocating to the homosexual village and hitting up the homosexual golf equipment to make peers.

Answer 4

I'm not oriental, but as an African American, I do have some idea of what you are talking about. Many people of certain ethnic groups believe that outsiders are posing, or only acting like them in a negative connotation. I say just ignore them, eventually (at least the people who you are mostly around) will begin to respect you more for embracing there culture.

Answer 5

If you are white, they might envy you. Some Japanese have a kind of respect for white people. So they don't understand why you act like them who are inferior to you. Then they think you are insulting them. It's just my guess.

I will tell you one important thing. We Japanese don't tell others their real mind often. So we always read other persons' mind from not the words they say but their faces, actions, subtle signals they are sending, situation, atmosphere, etc.

We believe that foreigners have much difficulty doing the same thing, therefore it's hard for them to understand what we are really thinking.

If you want to be a real Japanese, try to read their real mind and understand "wabi-sabi" concept. It might take a long time, but if you get them, they must admit you're a more real Japanese than the ordinary ones.

Answer 6

The best answer to this question is that every race thinks they are the best. In Japan foreigners are called Gajin which mean Aliens. Gajin is like the N word. On the other hand Foreigners are thought of as smarter then Japanese just because they speak English. This can lead some foreigners to think they are better then Japanese and they act like jerks. In general I think Japanese Respect most foreigners. You can see this in the high rate of English teacher who are foreigners, a lot of Sumo wrestlers and baseball players are foreigners, and a lot of CEO of Japanese Companies are foreigners. Plus there are many Japanese in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

Answer 7

Other race...You mean, for example, white act like Asian?
I think it is ok, but I also think it doesn't look good and less than beautiful.

The other day, I heard one girl said "White wear Kimono... What a charming!"
I could hardly believe my eyes. Honestely speaking, it looks weired. I think the size of the Kimono is not supporsed to fit their body type and face. It's not about the pride for Japanese. (But Chinese ppl have strong pride for everything.)

However, there are many foreigners live in Japan today.
A few men of them wear traditional Japanese fashion always.
Some guys looks great. I wish I could show you their pics. hehe..

This American guy visited Japan and lived 135 years ago. Charles Appleton Longfellow.
http://lnhstest.brinkster.net/Level2/Collections2/Thematic-Cultural/Asian/Charles-robe-lg.jpg
He wrote a book: Twenty Months in Japan, 1871-1873

Answer 8

Actually "Oriental" is a racist term. There's no such thing as "oriental culture". Asia has many different countries, people, and cultures ! Each and everyone is different in it's own way. It's like Americans being different than Russians.

Answer 9

Even asians looks a like, they have their own cultures in each country, and they are different. If you go to Japan, even within Japan , there are different cultures in each area. They do not like to be mixed up.

Culture is part of your identify. If there is no boundary in culture, you are going to lose your identify, which it is happening by power of media. I have been to Tokyo, Los Angels, London, Paris, Berlin, San Francisco..., and sadly, they looks somewhat same.

Anyway, I think everyone try to protect their identity. Everyone wants to be different from something.

Answer 10

i don't think they don't like to trying to act like them, but you will never be accept as one of them...that is not their mentality. i have lived in Japan for 2 years i love it here. but one thing i have learned is that they appreciate i try to fit in, but they will never call me a Japanese. Even if i live here my whole life, speak perfect Japanese, have children with my Japanese wife, am a good citizen that contributes to society, i am never Japanese. there is a place in their heart that they do not accept others, it is only for Japanese. it is just the way they are. you can call it pride if you will or racist, but it is unrecognized racism...you can either get mad, or accept it. other than that the people are really nice...