Comments on: Everyone knows that Americans always perfectly speak the native language of whatever country they might be in. It’s one of the perks of being an American. http://www.chasethegaijin.com/blog/2009/everyone-knows-that-americans-always-perfectly-speak-the-native-language-of-whatever-country-they-might-be-in-its-one-of-the-perks-of-being-an-american/ Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:35:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: caredreashy http://www.chasethegaijin.com/blog/2009/everyone-knows-that-americans-always-perfectly-speak-the-native-language-of-whatever-country-they-might-be-in-its-one-of-the-perks-of-being-an-american/comment-page-1/#comment-30298 caredreashy Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:40:34 +0000 http://www.chasethegaijin.com/blog/?p=573#comment-30298 Hello everyone First of all sorry that I write in this topic but I have some technical problem with the use of this forum. When I'm trying to enter in the appropriate topic, I received a 404 error It's about the only topic in which I was able to enter. Do you have the same problems? What's going on? Hello everyone

First of all sorry that I write in this topic but I have some technical problem with the use of this forum. When I’m trying to enter in the appropriate topic, I received a 404 error It’s about the only topic in which I was able to enter. Do you have the same problems? What’s going on?

]]> By: Chase The Gaijin http://www.chasethegaijin.com/blog/2009/everyone-knows-that-americans-always-perfectly-speak-the-native-language-of-whatever-country-they-might-be-in-its-one-of-the-perks-of-being-an-american/comment-page-1/#comment-23816 Chase The Gaijin Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:26:13 +0000 http://www.chasethegaijin.com/blog/?p=573#comment-23816 I try to watch my words carefully so that I don't say something I don't mean. I didn't say that I encourage this type of advertising (that's why I used "almost"), but it is not nearly as negative as many people are saying. Debito, among others, have complained for showing commercials with foreigners with a complete and utter lack of any knowledge of Japanese or Japanese culture; they go on to say that there are many foreigners living in Japan that can speak Japanese very well/fluently and follow many Japanese customs and that what they are protesting is discriminatory/racist; and in many cases this is true, but there are cases that happen because of the ignorance of one or more parties, or, in my opinion, overzealousness. Do I think that this campaign is great? No, but it says more about Americans that travel/move to another country than it does any other group. Except for those that studied Japanese in university (and some self-studyers), there are many people who don't really know any Japanese until they arrive in the country and start studying. Given how they're promoting the character and the campaign, I see no way in how it is saying anything bad against those living in Japan. Furthermore, I'm not sure why you might think that I said, or even implied, any anger or condescension towards those that don't/can't learn the language. There are many places (yours being one) where learning the language is harder because either no one will speak Japanese to you or just a lack of necessity to learn the language. Although I think it's an extremely bad idea to not learn the language if you intend to stay in the country for a long time (not as many job opportunities, maybe some trouble communicating with your children/wife/husband, problems getting around), I in no way meant for anyone to think that I was chiding them for not learning Japanese. I try to watch my words carefully so that I don’t say something I don’t mean. I didn’t say that I encourage this type of advertising (that’s why I used “almost”), but it is not nearly as negative as many people are saying. Debito, among others, have complained for showing commercials with foreigners with a complete and utter lack of any knowledge of Japanese or Japanese culture; they go on to say that there are many foreigners living in Japan that can speak Japanese very well/fluently and follow many Japanese customs and that what they are protesting is discriminatory/racist; and in many cases this is true, but there are cases that happen because of the ignorance of one or more parties, or, in my opinion, overzealousness.

Do I think that this campaign is great? No, but it says more about Americans that travel/move to another country than it does any other group. Except for those that studied Japanese in university (and some self-studyers), there are many people who don’t really know any Japanese until they arrive in the country and start studying. Given how they’re promoting the character and the campaign, I see no way in how it is saying anything bad against those living in Japan.

Furthermore, I’m not sure why you might think that I said, or even implied, any anger or condescension towards those that don’t/can’t learn the language. There are many places (yours being one) where learning the language is harder because either no one will speak Japanese to you or just a lack of necessity to learn the language. Although I think it’s an extremely bad idea to not learn the language if you intend to stay in the country for a long time (not as many job opportunities, maybe some trouble communicating with your children/wife/husband, problems getting around), I in no way meant for anyone to think that I was chiding them for not learning Japanese.

]]> By: Brendon http://www.chasethegaijin.com/blog/2009/everyone-knows-that-americans-always-perfectly-speak-the-native-language-of-whatever-country-they-might-be-in-its-one-of-the-perks-of-being-an-american/comment-page-1/#comment-23815 Brendon Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:25:45 +0000 http://www.chasethegaijin.com/blog/?p=573#comment-23815 So you believe that there should be more marketing campaigns like this to encourage foreigners living here to learn the language better?? You're kidding right? I've lived up in Hokkaido for the last 4 years and have only a very basic understanding of the language. Thing is I work in an area where there is a reasonably large foreign community and where a high percentage of the locals speak english. I live a great lifestyle, little affected by my lack of Japanese speaking ability. You think I shoud be ashamed of this? So you believe that there should be more marketing campaigns like this to encourage foreigners living here to learn the language better?? You’re kidding right?
I’ve lived up in Hokkaido for the last 4 years and have only a very basic understanding of the language. Thing is I work in an area where there is a reasonably large foreign community and where a high percentage of the locals speak english. I live a great lifestyle, little affected by my lack of Japanese speaking ability.
You think I shoud be ashamed of this?

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