True. But I did mention that they were also friendly. I had no issue getting into all sorts of activities with them. From playing the Shamisen to practicing Sadō. I had lots of friends who would help me out in all sorts of things, such as the University entrance exam, moving stuff, and translation.

I'm speaking of my experiences of course. I come from a different cultural background (Arab). I lived in both the US and Japan, and in almost all aspects except employment and income, I prefer Japan. Your mileage may vary.

[–] JillyB@beehaw.org 24 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I shared that experience. I also was actively excluded from all sorts of things (including essential services) because I was a foreigner. Whenever a group of expats got together, at some point in the night, the conversation would be about how everyone got discriminated against recently.

[–] PanArab@lemmy.ml -1 points 7 months ago

Did you put effort into learning Japanese? I didn't experience any exclusion.

[–] CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org 7 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Welcome, though? They pretty famously don't like foreigners around them, even if they're not going to say it directly to you.

[–] PanArab@lemmy.ml 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Have you lived there? Not my experience. I felt like I was welcomed. I was welcomed into their cultural activities, I was welcomed into their homes. I did put effort into learning the language and the culture, and followed their norms to the best I can.

[–] CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

No, but a lot of other people have and you're a definite minority saying that, so, X to doubt basically.

It's not just people who don't bother trying, either. BBC's long term Japan correspondent wrote an article about it when he finally left, and I'm pretty sure he's fluent.

[–] mukt@lemmy.ml 1 points 6 months ago

... BBC's long term Japan correspondent wrote an article about it when he finally left, and I'm pretty sure he's fluent.

I wouldn'y be too sure about being fluent part. I am an Indian and I have seen bulk of so called indologists (professors in American and European academia) unable to pronounce common sanskrit words - despite writing bestsellers on the subject.

[–] LittleBorat2@lemmy.ml 6 points 7 months ago

Never felt unsafe is a very low bar. Not feeling unsafe now