Update of pursuing taiko upon returning to America. Sorry for the 6 month hiatus. I'm in America now, but maybe I'll make it to Paris in 2025. #emilyinparis
Such a lovely post! I’ve always been fascinated with the transition between Japanese and American culture (generally speaking) and how one navigates between the two. You touched on some of that here and would be curious to hear more about your experiences in that realm. For example as someone who “passes” for native do you find you are treated better (one of us!) or worse (ie confused why you aren’t fluent) in Japan vs. say here in the States?
Hi! Oof, that's difficult to answer as it's not consistent. In my second year in Japan, I could pass as long as I didn't say anything, so people generally ignored me, or they might ask me for help. Otherwise as soon as I said anything, the jig was up and they would try to speak to me in English.
I don't know exactly what you mean by "better or worse," but relatively speaking, it's all just different... except when it's racist. I found that both countries are racist, there's a racial hierarchy in both, and they just show it in different ways.
Thanks for your honest response. Treated better or worse was the thought which you picked up on. The racism sucks. And I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with it. Would be educational to learn more about your experiences if you are ever open to sharing more in a future post. Either way thank you again for sharing your unique journey!
Such a lovely post! I’ve always been fascinated with the transition between Japanese and American culture (generally speaking) and how one navigates between the two. You touched on some of that here and would be curious to hear more about your experiences in that realm. For example as someone who “passes” for native do you find you are treated better (one of us!) or worse (ie confused why you aren’t fluent) in Japan vs. say here in the States?
Hi! Oof, that's difficult to answer as it's not consistent. In my second year in Japan, I could pass as long as I didn't say anything, so people generally ignored me, or they might ask me for help. Otherwise as soon as I said anything, the jig was up and they would try to speak to me in English.
I don't know exactly what you mean by "better or worse," but relatively speaking, it's all just different... except when it's racist. I found that both countries are racist, there's a racial hierarchy in both, and they just show it in different ways.
Thanks for your honest response. Treated better or worse was the thought which you picked up on. The racism sucks. And I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with it. Would be educational to learn more about your experiences if you are ever open to sharing more in a future post. Either way thank you again for sharing your unique journey!