Ode to Toilet

This is a pretty random blog entry.

Something I find interesting about Japanese girls (and I can only talk about girls because I don't go to the boys bathrooms...) is how paranoid they seem to be of someone hearing them use the toilet. Many of the toilets I've seen here in Japan have a little sensor next to them so you can have a fake flushing sound cover up the noise from your pee. I've never seen or even thought about something like this before I came to Japan. In America, it's a little weird to hear people peeing in the bathroom, but everyone just sort of mutually agrees to ignore it so it's not awkward. After, it's no secret why you're in the bathroom...everyone knows what you are doing.

I guess this just seems a little odd because Japanese girls seem to be okay with being naked in front of other people when it comes to things like showers, baths, and onsens. That seems to be understandable, but the thought of someone hearing you use the bathroom appears to be very embarrassing. I'm not sure it's something I really want to talk about in class (because I'm sure it would make the Japanese students feel awkward), but I do find this juxtaposition really interesting. I'd much rather have someone hear me use the bathroom than see me naked.

Classroom Habits

So, I'm going to start this with a disclaimer that I will be making a pretty sweeping generalization in this post. I recognize that there are exceptions to what I will say, but it's easier to write this blog if I make it general.

In last week's class, we discussed the whole "sweetness" thing about sort of asking for another person (a parent, teacher, owner, etc) to be kind or indulgent to you and also about how people can indulge or spoil those beneath them (a child, a student, a pet, etc). One of the skits done in class showed a teacher trying to indulge his students by not really punishing them much for being disruptive in the lesson. It was very well done, and we all laughed, but I can't help but thing how accurate that skit has been at portraying my experience in the classes here at KGU.

I have always believed the stereotype that Asian students are really serious about their studies and will do whatever it takes to succeed. That seems to still be pretty true regarding highschool and taking college entrance exams. However, it seems to me that once the students have secured their spot in a university, they seriously slack off.  I have many friends who constantly skip class, like on a weekly basis. Why? Just because they think it is boring.

What's most surprising, however, is their attitude in the classroom. I have been in a lot of classes throughout college, and the classes where I am with Asian students (whether they be Japanese, Korean, or Chinese) are always the worst. Many times they will be making a lot of noise, talking with each other, drawing on desks, laughing about some inside joke, and so on. It's almost unfathomable for me to see how many Japanese students act in class. Certainly, in America, students will also become bored in class and will stop paying attention. However, when this happens, an American student will likely doodle in a book or play on his or her phone. Of course, this is still rude to do, but at least it does not disrupt other students' studying. Every single class that I have here at KGU where there are Asian students in the classroom, I frequently find myself distracted by their talking, and giggling, and playing games behind the teacher's back (or, even more surprisingly showing a lack of respect, continuing to do so while the teacher is looking right at them).

I've talked with some of the other exchange students like Pang, Anna, Tanner, Jennifer, and Alex and we all agree that we've never seen students behave so blatantly disrespectful in class.  I don't if maybe it's because KGU isn't a prestigious, large university so maybe it is different at other schools like Kumamoto University, but it's been something I've been really curious about. The stereotypes are usually that Japanese University students are really studious and knock themselves out trying to study all the time...and American University students are lazy and knock themselves out drinking every weekend. However, from what  I've seen these last three months, it's quite to the contrary.

大学生とお母さんとお弁当

   So, one of the differences I've noticed between American university students and Japanese university students began with lunch...in particular, the bento box. When I first saw everyone with their lunchboxes, I thought they were really good cooks and was super impressed at all the delicious things they could make. I soon found out, though, that it wasn't the students who were making these amazing lunches, but their mothers. This was really shocking to me because, in America, mothers do not make school lunches for their children everyday. To admit that your mother made your lunchbox would be really embarrassing in my country, but in Japan it seems to be the norm. I know that a person is not technically considered to be an adult until they are 20-years-old, but even American high school students would be embarrassed to have their lunches made by their mothers.
   I understand that this may build the relationship between a mother and her child, but this mother/child relationship is a little foreign to me. I love my mother a whole lot, and she loves me dearly; however, I (and most other university students in America) would hate to be dependent upon our mothers for lunch everyday. While it's nice to know that my mother cares for me, and it would be convenient for me if she made my lunch, I value my independence more than a free meal.
    However, if one of the Japanese students wanted to share the bento their mother made with me, that would be okay! =P

War and Peace

Today's main topic concerning war and whether or not humanity can hope to obtain sustained peace was really interesting. The discussion began by talking about whether or not the Nagasaki War Museum changed our perspectives on the use of nuclear weapons (specifically) and on war (in general). I answered that, no, it did not really change my perspective on nuclear weapons because I had already decided to take a stance against them before, but it did strengthen my resolve to renounce the use of such weapons. This is actually a pretty new position for me. Only recently have I switched my view on nuclear weapons. As soon as last year I would have been all for using the atom bomb to end WWII. I grew up with the belief that the bombs did mass destruction but helped saved more lives by ending the war. However, I have recently changed that belief. Now I feel that such mass chaos and destruction can never be justified. The ends cannot always justify the means. I also think this is the mindset of more and more American college students now. The trip to the museum helped strengthen this opinion for me.

The conversation then switched to whether or not we feel peace can be reached. As a Christian, I am a really optimistic person (which my friends will attest to); however, I believe that humans will be naturally bad. Afterall, no one has to teach a child to be bad (per contra, you have to teach them to be good). Because of this, I don't feel that we, as humans, will ever reach a utopian society where there is no war. If this were possible, I feel we would have reached it long before. That being said, I do believe we can make progress and make greater strides towards obtaining longer periods of peace. I think globalization has helped this a lot. When you have the ability to put a name and a face to the people in a different area, you will be less inclined to do them harm, I think, or at least will think twice about the ramifications. Plus, I think countries will usually (of course there will always be exceptions) be less inclined to do something bad if they know their wrongdoing will be plastered allover the news stations in other countries.

So, to summarize: I am a recent convert to the disuse of nuclear weapons, I don't believe we will ever reach a state of sustained peace, but I believe we can make progress.

新しい友達を作っている

今日は楽しいでした。Seminar IIのクラスで私は新しい友達を作っている！かおりさんとがくさん。私は、小グループの議論が好きです。小グループの議論はちょっと難しいです。小グループの議論はちょっと難しいです。でも、私は良い練習と思います。

That is all the Japanese I can do for now. I really liked how today's class was formatted. Watching the videos was interesting, but I especially enjoyed the small group discussions. I was the only English-speaker in my group, which made it a little difficult at first, but I liked the challenge. I met Kaori and Gaku. I'm really happy I got to make new friends and practice my Japanese at the same time! ^^

Respect Your Elders

So, this post has to do with Japanese culture.

One of my Japanese friends, Yudai, was talking about how he hates that he has to show respect to people who are older than him simply because they are older. I think this is a really interesting point-of-view. I'm from a pretty conservative Christian family so I have always been raised knowing I should respect my elders so this idea isn't too new to me. However, I feel that Japan takes the practice of respect to a whole new level. It seems that every action you make and every word you say conveys a certain level of respect. Certainly, in the US, I will talk a little bit differently when I am chatting with my friends than when I am talking to a teacher, but it is not done to the extreme the Japanese language take is. You're pretty much speaking a different language when you switch politeness levels.

I believe that everyone innately deserves a certain amount of respect simply because they are human beings. However, I do have to lean towards Yudai's POV that someone should not be given additional respect simply because of their age. I would rather have someone prove himself to be honorable and upright through their actions than to simply heap reverence on them for simply living more years than I have. I do not find merely living to be impressive.

I guess this is where the American way-of-thinking clashes with the Japanese. In America we value people as individuals so we are always looking at others to see how they distinguish themselves from everyone else. It is not about "fitting in" to society's mold. Hence, I guess I have grown up with the mentality that a person needs to do something worthy of respect before they get it.

Kumamon = Kumamoto?

I liked how we rearranged the desks so we could all face each other today. It's definitely more conducive to having conversations!

My favorite conversation was about Kumamon and his affiliation (or maybe lack thereof) with Kumamoto. I think Kumamon is absolutely adorable. I have a Kumamon shirt, two cellphone straps, a backpack button, visor, handtowel, and origami figure. I think he's been a great tool for giving Kumamoto recognition. I know some of the Japanese students said they liked Kumamon because he has helped the Kumamoto economy through some bad times. However, I do feel that the Kumamon love has gone overboard. He's super cute and popular, but that can only go so far. Kumamoto really needs to promote some of its other landmarks and sightseeing places like Kumamoto Castle, Mt. Aso, and Suizenji Park. Those are the things people from other prefectures should hear about and want to come see--not the city's mascot.
Kumamon can be a great way to introduce Kumamoto Prefecture to other people, but it shouldn't be the only thing they know about Kumamoto. Right now Kumamon is still pretty new so he's garnered a lot of attention, but that will only last for so long. Kumamoto really needs to link Kumamon to other areas of Kumamoto before the novelty of Kumamon wears off and they no longer have an interest in Kumamoto.

On a different note, I was really surprised how many Japanese students felt uncomfortable with the treatment of the horses during last month's festival. I thought since most of them had grown up seeing it, it would not bother them. I don't mind the horses being used for the festival, I just don't like the idea of them being whipped if they get out of hand.

～終わり～