if ignorance is bliss, then Japan must be the garden of Eden
Inspired by a friends rant.
Sometimes I get so angry at Japan and Japanese people. But then I get a wry smile on my face when I realise that Darwinian theory is sure to take care of them.
How can a country be so technologically advanced, and have the longest life expectancy of any country in the world, but be so blatantly ignorant. Not only of things occuring outside of their tiny island nation, but also of the small things; like how their actions effect others around them.
To be honest, it wasn't that long ago that NZ was the same, all I can do is hope that Japan cottons on to it before their declining birthrate is the end of them. At the moment there are more people in Japan over the age of 60 than there are under the age of 20.
I hope they realise the fact that smoking is bad for people around you too. That there are restraints for cars for a reason, and children need to use them too. Burning millions of tons of rubbish a day doesn't actually "get rid" of the problem -- it just moves it into the air. You can't keep killing animals when you are doing nothing to ensure their continued existance. Other countries use chopsticks too. That just because you are in a car you are not anonymous. Ignoring it doesn't make it go away (I learnt that before puberty). Katakana English isn't actually English. Terrorism in Japan is not the result of foreigners, but rather the actions of Japanese nationals. Working extreme hours is detrimental to your home life. Normally you can't get away with staring at someone who is both a different colour to you, and bigger than you. Why don't you admit that Nanking happened, and get over it? You're not the only country in the world that has 4 seasons. Forcing people into a mould is not healthy, ever. Not covering your face when you sneeze or cough when other people are around is just bad manners, no wonder everyone gets colds at the same time in this country. (Yesterday I saw this one guy sneeze all over the fish in the supermarket without even considering the option of covering his face. I thanked God for making me dislike fish. Then a teacher today blatantly coughed in my face. I had to tell him that he did it before he appologised. Lucky I'm not a germophobe.)
There are lots more that bug me, but I am starting to get worked up, and I need to take a moment to reflect on why I like this country...
I have met hundreds of Japanese people, and only a few have been anything but nice. However, only a few have known anything more about the outside world than what they have seen in the media and heard from friends.
Stereotypes for the loss.