Japanese image

Thank you Keisaku, for your direct  and helpful answer! In my humble opinion, the Japanese culture and people are very peculiar, partly due to their history and also (much more original) to the unique homogeneity of their group.



Hope to read from you again soon, Japanese lovers =)

pat

Hi, i'm Or from Israel, and when i think of Japan i think of hi-tech, tidyness, obedience (sometimes blind obedience), ancient culture (shrines, monks, mythologies etc...) and more :)



if you want to know more write me P

i've been australian for 14 years but i was born in indonesia and raised with chinese traditions (chinese indonesian family :spin: ), so i don't really speak for australia.

from what i've heard and seen, my view of japanese people generally is...

- neat/tidy
- polite/humble
- respectful
- cool
- hot (the girls of course... heheheh ;-) )

there are a few images of japan which i like, but the one that i prefer is the unspeakable peace of a zen monastery.

Hello,

I'm Canadian from the province of Quebec.Me and my immedeate group of friends worship Nihon. I have read several things about the country such as:
Economical/Technological:
1.Pauverty and begging are all but inexistant in Japan because it is custumary to take care of your most distant relatives; so government provides the nessecities to the "poorer" including jobs, to get them back on their feet.
2.Japan is the second most productive country in the world next to the USA (OmG)
3.Many other countries are indebted to Japan even though Japan imports almost all its raw matirials.
4. Because of the economical boom years (1980-1989/ 1989 is when beloved Emperor Hirohito died :( ) Japan technological status rose dramatically as well! (Sony, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Toyota... "Mario")

Cultural/religious:

I'll add it later but tell me what you think about Canada in the mean time.

Great topic by the way!

In general, and when compared to our past relationship... not good. I live in the US and have many French friends, and from what I have witnessed many people on both sides will grumble about the people on the other then change the subject. The rumors and stereotypes ToneEO4O spoke of are for the most part true, but they are all considered somewhat puerile and, like fairytales or Santa Claus. Many find no validity in these stereotypes or if they do, won't think less of a people because of their cultural differences.
Out of those that even care, very few even dislike France or the French. As a matter of fact, the only ones that seems to care enough to talk about such matters have close ties with your country or have visited and are fond of the France and its people. As I'm sure is present in your country, the few individuals ignorant enough to actually despise a whole people for suspected "common flaws" are mostly those no one takes seriously. For instance, many supporters of the Bush administration and the war in Iraq are angry with France for its resistance to the war, even though European reluctance to support an unjustified war (no proof of WMDs) has proven right, and thus are often thought of as foolish and ignorant by their fellow Americans. The absolute truth is that most in this country just don't care or are not upset with the French people until they hear a report from our news media about wide-spread anti-American sentiment over there. Even then, the informed and open-minded of this country can understand that any such sentiment is usually low-key and as a natural reaction to the globalization and homogenization of American popular and corporate culture, as well as the sadly ubiquitous "Obnoxious American Tourist" who ruins our image with the rest of the world on their travels through Europe. I myself would rather not be disliked because I'm American, but can understand and sympathize with why I might be and hope that the stereotyping and animosity felt toward us is as low-key and sparse as the sentiment over here.

hi....
how are you......
do you want to talk?
I am waiting your message
write back..........

Coralie you might not like what you're about to hear. I'm sure many people in America appreciate the French alot but many that I do are caught on to rumors such as the "irony" of French fragrance industry to what we hear about many French who do not bathe or take showers very often. Then there are those who make fun of France's reputation of surrendering in battles. Also there's a rumor(to my knowledge) I don't know if it's true or not but it's been said that many French women don't shave and French men find that attractive. There's plenty of stereotypes but I know alot of us keep in mind the good aspects of the French. I honestly don't like what I hear from some people around here about France. But I have nothing against them, the language is very interesting I must say.