Japan Idealizes about Us?

You may see me on the thread a lot saying things like the idealization and romanticizing Japan and it's people won't tell you the whole story. Well, let's look at the flip size of Japanese college students romanticizing America. If you live in America, you know we aren't exactly "cheerful" or "friendly," even as a stereotype, when it comes to being in the service industry or any job that deals with people (which is a lot), we do have to put on a personality. In fact, personalities change from state to state. Being in Southern California, we always say "sorry" on the bus if we brush against someone while compare to NYC when I went last summer, no one cares cuz it happens more often since many more people take public transportation than in So Cal. I also find it interesting how they consider it great Americas are "sociable" but indifferent that they are "shy." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3FgUJ8JzDI What do you think? How accurate are us Americas considered in the video? If you live a different country other than Japan, does your country also see these stereotypes in Americans? If you live in Japan, is this common for young adults today? What about other ages?

I find it kind of interesting, how in every country, there will be people who either dislike or idolize foreign countries. Even some extremes, like how there may be Americans who try too hard to act Japanese(Weeaboo), there actually are also Japanese who try too hard to act American or French or German(or any "white" nationality), or say they're part French or something(when they aren't). They seem to have a fascination with France/French in particular. I also noticed each time I go to Japan, there are more and more foreign(mostly white) actors in commercials and modeling and stuff.

I think because it is exotic in a place where everyone looks very similar. My mom was in the military and was in Korea 78-81 and was very popular, like had a following crowd, when she went about town. She was a blonde and got asked often if many Americans had gold hair. She would smile and tell them people had all kinds of colors, whatever they wanted.

There are actually some theories out there that say we actually look the same to each other. Such as Cross-race effect. This is why if you are not familiar with a group of people (such as an ethnic group) they tend to look the same to that person. This can explain that why identical twins looks the same and can't tell them apart after first meeting them but when you get to know them, you can tell the difference based on their appearance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YSK16-dSoI So is it exotic inherently or is it just how people are?

^^ agree! I would say as a person very interested in history(may do a major sometime in the future) i am very interested in all te different cultures and how they get to interact with each other, and how sone stereotypes affects how we see and perceive others! Like how many people describe americans as fat and burgeer eaters xD. And how since im Hispanic in the kitchen i work i get called rice with beans xD (well they kind of racist there

The cross-race thing is true, but even I can confuse two completely-different looking Asians. I used to always confuse everyone of Morning Musume, until I spent time watching more videos with them, and started recognizing some of them as standing out more and more, seeing their facial features more often. Then all the ones I knew graduated, and I gave up trying anymore. @_@ I don't even bother trying with K-pop groups. 2NE1 has been the only K-pop group I could tell any apart from each other, and that was before they got plastic surgery. I can still tell apart Minzy and Bom, but I don't know if someone who's never seen Minzy or CL before their surgery would notice any difference from the others right away, besides their haircolor.

we do have big portions! I think that they believe that America is a great nation and enjoy our culture but don't we also enjoy Japanese culture? It's sort of funny that people like other places but their own. I think the newer generation of Japanese are a bit more accepting than the older generations. For obvious reasons I guess, well hopefully I am able to go to Okinawa after I am done with my school and go directly to active duty again.

@Kohagura ([To your first post] I've heard of Japanese trying to be American. I've also heard of Americans liking American things. I hear it is being called "Westaboo" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfzz4d30ajo No seriously, I have heard that Japanese will wear cowboy boots and hat and say things a cowbow would say cuz they think that is what Americans do. Any time I see in Anime that is Kodomo, those that are American or something are cowboys or have an American flag on their person. @reisudo There is nothing wrong with enjoying Japanese culture! The problem is some people don't realize that Japan is an actual country, with it's own set of problems and Japan may be great in your head, but may not be an actual place to escape reality. I agree with you that "people like other places but their own." I think it may have to do with what I mentioned above. Also, yeah, the newer generation is does seem more accepting of Americans. Japan has had a reputation of the most xenophobic counties to some people. Such as the whole stereotyping that Americans smell cuz we eat a lot of spicy food and sweat a lot and try to cover it up with deodorant instead of bathing. I've heard the reason why Japan doesn't like Americans though is Americans in the past have been rude and disrespectful in their eyes (Ever heard of delinquents being called "Yankee?" I think there is some connection between that in Americans but not calling Americans Yankee.). But yes, that was a while ago and with things being more accessible via the Internet and based on those young students, they don't seem to mind us being "friendly" and "outgoing."

I've never met anybody who wanted to be American before. Maybe some people who want to go to America, or something like that, but not a westaboo(? First time i'm hearing westaboo). In reality, we respect USA and all the other countries really. If you're American and you come to Japan, you will get VIP treatment lol. And we'll probably ask you a lot of stuff about America and yadayadaya xD Oh, yes, we consider Americans very outgoing. We view people as 'MURICA; FCK YEAH