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The recent tragedy in Japan.... how many Japanese people did you see engaging in looting?
Cultural differences.
In Japan (and Asia), you think about the community, and what's best for the group. Looting is just NOT a good thing to do to your society, and group. You're hurting yourself collectively as a group, etc.
Whereas in western cultures, things are very 'me' first. What can I get, what can I do that I like. You pretty much NEVER think about 'others'.
Story about the SONY WALKMAN. It was created in Japan, as a way to listen to music without bothering other people. Whereas in the west, we don't think of it in those terms. We think it's just a great way to 'shut out the rest of the world', so they don't bother me.
Last edited by Tiger Beer; 05-07-2011 at 09:16 AM..
Oh? Surely it wasn't only Japan that was able to get food etc in times of disaster and even civil strife.
I saw another natural disaster in the West where people were looting shops for TVs etc.
Perhaps the Japanese really are more civilised than they are often given credit for.
No, they are not more civilised. They had the supplies that they needed. There gov't didn't take forever and a day to help them. And if some people looted shops for TV's, big deal? The vast majority of people did not. It is silly to deify one group of human beings over another.
Agree with Marissy. Some Japanese did steal, but you have to follow the local news to know that. They don't have spectacular video of people looting shops to blast in the national media. In general, the idea Japanese barely commit crimes, their country is so clean, everyone is kind, is misleading.
1. There's not a lot of violent crime, but there's still rape, theft (bikes, items from shops), organized crime (to the point it affects major aspects of society, like politics, development, sports, entertainment), etc. It's not to the degree of some of the bad areas of the US of course. Countries with less crime tend to have less income inequality, and Japan has among the lowest. Lack of poverty, to a point it makes life miserable for those in it, helps as well and Japan had been quite prosperous, but the poverty rate is now increasing quite a bit. The fact people are everywhere is also a deterrent. Hard to feel safe committing crimes when there's likely at least one or more witnesses always around.
2. People litter. I saw it everywhere, but you have shop owners and local residents who clean up after others. You also can't find a trash can anywhere in public in Tokyo at least, so people dump their garbage on the ground, stuff it in recycling boxes, or in the baskets on people's bikes.
3. People can be kind in a completely mandatory, repetitive phrase sort of way. You may also get treated differently/ignored a lot as a foreigner. Try renting an apartment, or buying some expensive item where sales staff are supposed to go out of their way to help people and see what happens.
Lastly, it is true there is overall less crime, particular violent crime, in Japan and it is clean and people try to avoid being confrontational and aggressive to each other, but there's rational reasons to explain that rather than simply they're a special ethnic group who are inherently better than everyone else.
Ah, so you were there. Terrible disaster wasn't it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marissy
There gov't didn't take forever and a day to help them.
Some are complaining that the government done nothing. I suppose you'll get that sort of criticism in all cultures.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marissy
And if some people looted shops for TV's, big deal?
Oh yes, they looted damaged homes too. Not in Japan I hasten to add.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marissy
It is silly to deify one group of human beings over another.
I agree, it's wrong to put anyone on a pedestal. Still, it's nice to know that the Japanese people are so respectful to their fellow man and his property.
And if some people looted shops for TV's, big deal? The vast majority of people did not. It is silly to deify one group of human beings over another.
Imo there are good and bad people everywhere. Not one group is better than other, bc people are people and everyone is different. It is just impossible to say "the Z are better, politer, more civilized than the Y".
Yes, huge deal. Seriously, looting stores - or other people's homes - especially during a disaster, and to steal something that is absolutely unnecessary, is beyond unacceptable.
I got mugged in Tokyo Airport, and again in Yokohama. There are plenty of Armpits in Japan. The park around the Imperial Palace is another place to stay out of after dark
Ah, so you were there. Terrible disaster wasn't it?
Some are complaining that the government done nothing. I suppose you'll get that sort of criticism in all cultures.
Oh yes, they looted damaged homes too. Not in Japan I hasten to add.
I agree, it's wrong to put anyone on a pedestal. Still, it's nice to know that the Japanese people are so respectful to their fellow man and his property.
So, you like TOTALLY ignored what poxonyou wrote. Like what poxonyou wrote, most of the "well mannered" smiles and stuff is mostly repetitive actions that they feel they are required to do in public. It is like a front that they are taught to have. All my Japanese friends gave me this fake front when I first met them, but as we became closer it stopped and they started acting different/taking it down.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Miaiam
Imo there are good and bad people everywhere. Not one group is better than other, bc people are people and everyone is different. It is just impossible to say "the Z are better, politer, more civilized than the Y".
Yes, huge deal. Seriously, looting stores - or other people's homes - especially during a disaster, and to steal something that is absolutely unnecessary, is beyond unacceptable.
Um, yeah, I did not mean it in that manner. I mean "big deal" as in it is expected, and he shouldn't use that as a litmus test for civilization. Yes, stealing is wrong, but we are not in a perfect world of rainbows and sugary sunshine. Some people will steal and take advantage of others, but the vast majority of the people did not. Some people in Japan did steal a bit as well after the disaster. So, northsider should forget his misinformed ideas that the Japanese are more "civilized" based on theft.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boompa
I got mugged in Tokyo Airport, and again in Yokohama. There are plenty of Armpits in Japan. The park around the Imperial Palace is another place to stay out of after dark
Yeah, I am betting northsider will ignore your post too.
I'm saying it makes it a better country, simply because the QOL is higher. It is a culture where generations of people have been raised to mutually respect one another, and that also makes the QOL better. In America, if you are too nice and respecful then people will walk all over you.
That's what the travel pages tell you. There are slums in Japan and there are people who will knock you down and take your wallet.
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No, they are not more civilised. They had the supplies that they needed. There gov't didn't take forever and a day to help them. And if some people looted shops for TV's, big deal? The vast majority of people did not. It is silly to deify one group of human beings over another.
