Why are Japanese (in Japan) so weird?

Question

Everytime I see some clip from a TV show over there, its just something truly bizarre. They even sell soiled womens underwear in vending machines over there.

By the way, I am very familiar with the culture, I visited Japan before, and was even born in Tokyo. I'm not Japanese but am half asian.

Answer 1

they probably wonder why were so weird too

Answer 2

I think everyone else has sort of expressed their viewpoint on this matter. I can't say I've seen soiled undies vending machine, but I know they were auctioned in some Japanese auction sites until they were banned. There are various psychology reasons behind some of Japanese male otaku behaviours, mainly to do with Japan's rigid social values that causes repression in many levels. I'm not a psychologist, so I'll stop here.

In general, however, people find something interesting/uninteresting depending on the culture that they are familiar with. Have you ever had a homestay student from Japan? Do you think s/he finds western comedy shows funny? I would bet that she will not find it as funny as it is to you because she would not have understood the various cultural significance that makes a comedy. There's also the difference between eastern comedy and western comedy, but that's beside the point I'm trying to make: That culture influences a person's preference on one thing over another and makes us different, not necessarily weird.

Answer 3

What are you TALKING about?? Do you REALLY believe that the whole of the Japanese lifestyle and culture is encapsulated in those trashy clips you like to watch??

I've seen hundreds - or maybe thousands - of vending machines here in Japan, but I've never seen any of the ones that supposedly have soiled undies! I don't deny that they EXIST, but they're not common! Does YOUR country have vending machines for thong underwear, or fruit flavoured condoms, on the streets? Or even in every mall?? Of course not! But they DO exist, in the 'sleazier' areas!

Do you not have disgusting or outrageous programmes in your country? How would you like it if Japan only showed your country's outrageous TV clips, and porn movies - then told the Japanese public "This encapsulates the whole of {insert country's name}'s culture and lifestyle!"

I come from the UK, and the only Italian / Swedish clips you ever get on TV are either total, hard porn or they're soft porn...! Does that encapsulate the culture and lifestyle of Sweden and Italy?? How would I know, I've never investigated! But that's why I'm telling you to take a pinch of salt with this stuff! Even when you came to Japan, did you go to 'normal' areas? Or did you hang out with the 'weirdoes' you're complaining about?

Answer 4

No they don't. I've lived in Japan as part of the US Military. They sell awesome juices in their machines...much better than that garbage we call soda here.

Their TV shows are bizarre though, I will give you that. Have you seen the video clips where they rig the porta potties with slide out squatters, and guys end up popping out with their drawers around their ankles sliding down a ski slope, or lifted up through the roof, or ejected out the back, and even one is attached to a motor boat, and they do a little "porta potty skiing". You have to admit, it's entertaining.

Answer 5

Why don't you post weired part of other(your) countries?
Beause you are interested in Japan basically. or you were born there.
That is why you find those weired point.

Every country has weired point. See Japaense popular drama, not a those weired clips.

I have never seen that kind of vending machine in Japan.　Even the machines of porn magagine, they are removed widely, compared with 80's.

Answer 6

Not everyone is the same and it would be bad to think that we all should act the same. There are so many different cultures out there to experience. If you go experience a couple you probably won't think of anyone as "weird" anymore.

Answer 7

The Japanese are probably the one nationality that has perfected courtesy. In both their speech and action. Naturally, this perfection is highly unnatural, and you are seeing manifestations of human attitudes that recognize the artificiality of maintaining such rigid rules on etiquette and public behavior.

When you cage the beast, its wildness will seek release.

Answer 8

Hey, I saw you buying soiled underwear from that vending machine! But guess what, it's your mommy's underwear! Enjoy!

Answer 9

I wonder what their crime rate is in Japan. Because they do have soiled womens underwear in venidng machines, I wonder if their rape crime is lower than the U.S.A.?
Yes, it weird but if causes less sex crimes, who cares.

Answer 10

no matter where you go and what culture it is, you are going to come across something you find or label as weird. it is weird because it is not what you are used to in your own culture or society. the best way to deal with it is understand that people from different places and different spaces are going to do different things and respect that. its not weird, just something you are not used to.

Answer 11

All cultures do things that can be concidered strange. I can remember a friend from Africa calling home and talking about how brave we were for eating giant red bugs. (Lobster)