chopper5

Having lived in Japan going on 7 years now, how much does the culture and perception that the west gets from japan in terms of their imported media (tv shows, anime, manga, etc.) match up to how it really is? As in, much of the U.S's understanding of Japan is only from what they see from the outside, how much does that line up with how it really is to live there?

What are some of your biggest take-aways from the culture in terms of differences between east and west?

I remember going into Akihabara a few years back and not understanding what the top level in a bunch of the department/game/hobby stores was all about, being a novice to all the hentai/manga sort of stuff, but it seemed so nonchalant and normal for everyone else there. Was just funny how a single floor separated gundam toys and magic cards from the most hardcore lolicon manga porn that is just blazingly on display and out in the open. Something like that would never fly here in the states.

Glade to hear you met someone while you are over there! That probably made all the difference in sticking it out this long eh?

Care to go into more detail about how that happened? Does she speak english? It seems like a long term relationship with a 'gaijin' could be a tough thing in some circles there to sustain because of social implications/culture whatnot. Maybe I'm totally off base but genuinely curious how dating and relationships over there work, especially for a foreigner.

Thanks and if that's too personal a question I totally understand!

Glad you met that special person :)

How would you rate your Japanese at this point? can you speak as fluently as you can write/read? How much kanji do you know at this point compared to your speaking of it?

I've heard time and time again that you really need to live in Japan for the immersion factor to learn the language no matter how much you may study and practice it elsewhere. Any thoughts on that?

thanks for doing this btw :)

ha thats interesting. I almost expected the classic "nah its not as weird/perverted as everyone thinks it is", but that was certainly how it seemed to me in the couple weeks I visited it years back. The range of things they do and don't have shame for is very different.