Japanese people in America, How are they looked at?

[bokuwa]

Didn’t know where to post this, so here is good for me.
Over the years I have been in social settings with Japanese people being in groups, golfing one of the places and more then twice have had the following take place.

Man those people should learn to speak the language if they want to play here. How do they expect to get along not speaking much English? I would reply; That is why I am with them. The other person did not know I was with them before making the comments.

Going out to eat together and having the Japanese person wanting to pay the bill;
When I asked why the long conversation over paying the bill, I found out a couple of times, the people were trying tell the Japanese person; “You HAVE to add 20% for tip” and me than getting upset and saying “How about no tip?” Then the people apologizing saying “Oh, just a misunderstanding”

Helping Japanese people find housing in America and the house rent is way up after they find out the people are Japanese,” Oh they have a lot of money and can pay any price” After being asked to help by the Japanese people and doing some research on the goings on. Find out the rent was cheaper before they knew they people wanting to rent were Japanese.

Seeing in Asian grocery stores, where we used to shop a lot in America at, that the owner maybe Korean or Chinese or something other than Japanese is giving discounts to everyone but the Japanese people. Finding out why,” Those Japanese have lots of money, you know”.

Helping Japanese people with visits to hospitals or doctors and having these professional people treat them as if they are stupid or not capable of understanding caring and concerned treatment, rather than a piece of product to be processed.

I have seen a few things over the years and it does not reflect all Americans or all people but it does show what people are capable of all over the world.

Why I posted this was to an attempt to display the other side or another look at things being discussed on this forum. Things happen in America that should not and the citizens who are concerned and care about the issues will attempt to effect change if possible.

Unfortunately the foreigners don’t get the right to vote to change the bad or wrong doings that go on. And just how would Americans take to non-citizens trying to change things? Not well I am sure.

[InDuhUSA]

In most places Japanese people are looked at like any other Asian. Where I live we have primarily Cambodians and Chinese living here. They usually intermarry and date within their own race. I always find it amusing to see them stair at me and my wife whenever we are in public together.

Anyhow, I am still having to remind my father that my wife is Japanese and not Chinese. To many in my family there is no difference. They grew up watching Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and other Chinese kung fu movies not to mention that we ordered chinese food a lot (HA!). But for the most part, I don't see how telling older Americans that one is Japanese makes a difference.

The young people who are big into anime, manga, and video games is a different story. My kids made a lot of friends just because they were half Japanese and could draw manga style. Want to be treated right in America if you are Japanese? Be an expert on all manga and anime and be able to draw half-way decent. Thou shlt then win many tomadache

[Bones]

Thought that I would be gone for a while, but your posting tempted me to ask this one silly question.

Everything within your post, suggests that your are being discriminated against because you are (fill in the blank), and if you're over here "Legally", welcome.

Everything that you have complained about within this particular thread, can be reversed.

As an American, while living in Japan, I was subjected to the exact same things that you are ranting about. My rent was higher than other people living within the same apartment complex, simply due to the fact that I was an American.

So how are your problems different from mine?

NBTP:confused:

[Tempestuous]

The young people who are big into anime, manga, and video games is a different story. My kids made a lot of friends just because they were half Japanese and could draw manga style. Want to be treated right in America if you are Japanese? Be an expert on all manga and anime and be able to draw half-way decent. Thou shlt then win many tomadache

Speaking of manga- I was in the bookstore here recently and noticed they had "how to draw manga" books.
My friend is artsy & flipped through it, a high percentage of the book was female bodies....a lot of them in interesting /provocative positions.
If you're kids are drawing what we were seeing......no wonder they are popular *smile*

[newvalor]

I have to agree with nbtp, you may have recieved the discrimination in the U.S. but how do you think we are treated in japan/okinawa. I have seen and even researched at times using a friend to translate a place to live off base. each time was a different cost of rent, being my friend got the lower cost and the better location in the building. I've had taxi drivers say they don't where something is trying to drive around in circles to gain extra cash when of course I tell them the street and I do know left/right in kanji.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. simple common sense is applied on this subject.