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Overhearing things about yourself | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : Cultural Experiences in Foreign Languages |  | |
| Raincrowlee Tetraglot Senior Member United States Joined 6702 days ago 621 posts - 808 votes  Speaks: English*, Mandarin, Korean, French Studies: Indonesian, Japanese | Message 9 of 57 09 January 2007 at 9:13pm | IP Logged | ||
Hah! I've seen a lot of signs here in Taiwan around ATMs that say you should watch out for suspicious people, and all of the cartoons pictures depict white foreigners. It isn't spelled out in the words, though. 3 persons have voted this message useful | |||
| justinwilliams Diglot Senior Member Canada Joined 6689 days ago 321 posts - 327 votes 3 sounds Speaks: French*, EnglishC2 Studies: German, Italian | Message 10 of 57 10 January 2007 at 1:04pm | IP Logged | ||
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Actually, I'm usually the one saying the things! Don't worry they're not mean. Like things like sh*t I've been waiting in line forever! Well I'm just going to say it in French to my girlfriend but not only that, I use the most unformal slangiest French I know just so nobody could possibly understand even if they knew French to the exception of one who would be from Quebec.
1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| japkorengchi Senior Member Hong Kong Joined 6680 days ago 334 posts - 355 votes | Message 11 of 57 13 January 2007 at 3:41am | IP Logged | ||
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Yes, Andee I understand your feeling. Koreans are not really open-minded with foreigners in their country. Perhaps due to the long years of their lack of resources after the Second World War, they are quite sensitive that if you are working in their country. From my understanding which can be false, they tend to think that foreigners come to steal their women and their money intentionally.
I am curious, however, will this kind of racism apply also to Chinese or Japanese which is of Asian origin too? 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| Captain Haddock Diglot Senior Member Japan kanjicabinet.tumblr. Joined 6768 days ago 2282 posts - 2814 votes Speaks: English*, Japanese Studies: French, Korean, Ancient Greek | Message 12 of 57 13 January 2007 at 7:42am | IP Logged | ||
I know of instances where the white (Canadian) boyfriends and fiancés of Japanese women have been ostracized by the family in Japan, and forced to break off their relationship. I also read a manga where a judge was reassigned to a rural location because he was married to a Frenchwoman, and it was assumed his marriage would fail for it. I don't think that sort of thing is the norm, but there is that undercurrent still present in Japan. Other views of foreigners in Japan: - Many people in industries that hire Westerners (e.g. language schools) see them as untrustworthy and irresponsible; unfortunately, this stereotype is born out of reality rather than prejudice. Many English-speaking Westerners do not behave in an appropriate manner while here. It's typical for them to quit a job simply by not showing up, leaving the employer in a lurch. - I've heard of bars that won't admit Westerners because of how poor and unmannered their behaviour is. - Some Japanese are genuinely scared of Westerners and avoid contact with them. - Some Japanese still remember the horrors of WW2 and harbour ill feelings (for good reason). You have to expect these feelings to come out in people's conversation once in a while. But in spite of all this, Japan is probably the greatest and friendliest place I've ever visited, much more so than Europe or the US. Turning the topic around, I must confess to being the perpetrator in the past. The first time I visited Thailand (quite a few years ago now), I grew to be quite free with my criticisms and opinion of things around me, voicing them in English while knowing none of the locals could understand me. I wouldn't act that way nowadays though. Edited by Captain Haddock on 13 January 2007 at 7:47am 2 persons have voted this message useful | |||
| andee Tetraglot Senior Member Japan Joined 7077 days ago 681 posts - 724 votes 3 sounds Speaks: English*, German, Korean, French | Message 13 of 57 13 January 2007 at 8:40am | IP Logged | ||
I feel the same way about Korea in spite of what you hear every now and again. Seoul really feels like home to me, and many of the friendships I have made with Koreans are very strong. The only other place I've visited with people being as friendly and intrigued of your origins and life is Nepal. 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| Lily Newbie Philippines Joined 6525 days ago 6 posts - 6 votes Studies: English, Tagalog* Studies: German, Spanish | Message 14 of 57 15 January 2007 at 2:27am | IP Logged | ||
I've experienced something similar only in my own country. My father and I were inquiring about me getting scuba-diving lessons and it was owned by Germans. The German guy said something about me to the other guy and what they didn't know is that my father is quite fluent in the language, and he gave them a piece of his mind. And since I only know little German what I understood was the word "breast". And no, my father didn't tell me what they said, and up to now I haven't had any lessons yet. Edited by Lily on 15 January 2007 at 2:28am 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| solidsnake Diglot Senior Member China Joined 7041 days ago 469 posts - 488 votes Speaks: English*, Mandarin | Message 15 of 57 18 January 2007 at 5:53am | IP Logged | ||
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I sorry lily i just couldn't follow your story. I think we need a pic to help
clarify. :P 2 persons have voted this message useful | |||
| Chiboi1983 Groupie United States myspace.com/jaguar98 Joined 6907 days ago 61 posts - 61 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Spanish | Message 16 of 57 18 January 2007 at 10:15pm | IP Logged | ||
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Wow. Now I wonder what the Iberia crew members say about us when I have to screen there bags lol. I'm still a baby at Spanish I think so I can't communicate with them fully. When I can be fluent I'm going to have a ball hehehehehehehehe.
I try to nice to everyone so I hope people don't say bad things about me lol. 1 person has voted this message useful |
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