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～

わくわく!

I'm really looking forward to the 長崎 trip!

I think this class is going to be really interesting. :)