Yan-kees and bullying

[Isaak Brodsky]

After school is out, my daughter and I typically meet my buddy and his son where we let the two kids play together in a nearby park for an hour or two before dinnertime. The kids run around and skate along the walkways on their little scooters. (Evidently, they burn a lot of calories.)

As we (my buddy and I) talked about stuff like the recent unlocking of the “troop lockdown” and the price of tea in China, we noticed a gang of young hoodlums swoop down and sit very, very close to a collection local schoolboys playing with their Nintendo DS games. All of these youngsters had DS games, and they were each totally transfixed on whatever they were playing, totally oblivious to the hoodlums hangin’ around them just waiting for an opportunity to roll these kids and jack their games.

It was a very strange thing to see these hoodlums sit so close like vultures waiting for us gaijin to leave the area so that they could have their way with these much younger kids. We, nevertheless, remained close enough by to represent the necessary distraction against these would-be scavengers.

Finally, the leader of hoodlum gang motioned for his cohorts to vacate the area. Later, I thought about what my buddy and I witnessed brewing before our eyes and what sort of trouble our presence meant to those who would have likely attacked these younger kids. That circumstance got me to think about how even a person’s presence in any given situation can dissuade others to act on their impulses.

Can anyone relate to this kind of story?

[billhilly]

Picked up my youngest from school today..as usual. Strange, a couple of other parents actually showed up today. On our way home, we pass a large gravel parking area for the BIG apt. complex near by. A group of bleach blond-no eye brow havin'-tow chain hooked to an empty wallet wearin, skippin' JHS boys were, in broad day light, practicing their fast balls with rock chips- at parked cars. The other adults picked up the pace and were gone daddy gone. In my sweetest, non threatning, effeminate japanese I could muster.."yamete, ne? onigaishimasu." They booked like the bull was on their tail. I guess my non verbal communication out spoke my verbal.

[TheLastDon]

The only thing I can think of at the moment is stopping the J.H. school kids from buying cigs at the vending machine across the street from my house. I didn't make an effort to stop them it was just me being outside doing the usual stuff like washing the car or watering the flowers.

Does that count?

[dweener]

yeah, there was this one time some friends and i were trying to steal some nintendo DS's......

[Isaak Brodsky]

Picked up my youngest from school today..as usual. Strange, a couple of other parents actually showed up today. On our way home, we pass a large gravel parking area for the BIG apt. complex near by. A group of bleach blond-no eye brow havin'-tow chain hooked to an empty wallet wearin, skippin' JHS boys were, in broad day light, practicing their fast balls with rock chips- at parked cars. The other adults picked up the pace and were gone daddy gone. In my sweetest, non threatning, effeminate japanese I could muster.."yamete, ne? onigaishimasu." They booked like the bull was on their tail. I guess my non verbal communication out spoke my verbal.

Great descriptions of yan-kee and their exploits. I've seen the exact same thing happen. Too many local citizens seem to pretend not to see young punks acting in completely inappropriate ways, such as vandalizing other people's property or littering or blocking the flow of traffic with their souped up bicycles. I've spoken up many times to challenge troublemakers because I simply can't stand witnessing injustice. My wife says I'm crazy for doing it because some brave kid might try to pull out a knife on me. But, I never think of this possibility.

[Isaak Brodsky]

The only thing I can think of at the moment is stopping the J.H. school kids from buying cigs at the vending machine across the street from my house. I didn't make an effort to stop them it was just me being outside doing the usual stuff like washing the car or watering the flowers.

Does that count?

Yeah, I think this is a really good example of what I mean. I guess my underlying point for sharing this short story with folks was a part of my wondering aloud about whether our very presence in certain places has much broader implications - perhaps effects we never intend.

I wondered about this before when I was living in Korea with my brand new spouse. We were much younger. She was a totally hot, fresh college grad, and we were riding the subway one day. From nowhere, it seemed, a fellow passenger on our subway car started berating my wife for being with me - a foreigner. She was calling my wife a prostitute and a scum of the earth. Of course, I didn't realize it then what the exchange was about, but I learned that even my close proximity to others in Asia represents something fairly significant - both negative and positive.

[Mad Hatter]

These are great stories. Could the same be said about us Americans living on Japan... viewed from the rest of the world?

I mean, would other countries try some stuff if they knew that the US wasn't here?

[Oxmix]

Yeah, I think this is a really good example of what I mean. I guess my underlying point for sharing this short story with folks was a part of my wondering aloud about whether our very presence in certain places has much broader implications - perhaps effects we never intend.

I wondered about this before when I was living in Korea with my brand new spouse. We were much younger. She was a totally hot, fresh college grad, and we were riding the subway one day. From nowhere, it seemed, a fellow passenger on our subway car started berating my wife for being with me - a foreigner. She was calling my wife a prostitute and a scum of the earth. Of course, I didn't realize it then what the exchange was about, but I learned that even my close proximity to others in Asia represents something fairly significant - both negative and positive.

My wife, Korean, told me early on that Korean women who married American men were though to be prostitutes by strangers. I think they're just jealous. :D

Regards

Ox

[-Rudel-]

I remember cutting the grass in my 10 x 8 yard. I took a break and saw this kid on his bike right at my front gate looking as if he's waiting for a friend to come up the steep hill I live on.

I didn't bother any attention to much, until I went inside and came back out to go into my garage port underneith the house. There...I saw the kid again, this time near the opening of the port staring into my garage where all my tools, soldering equipment, etc are.

He looked startled (sp) as soon as he saw me. He froze in position and didn't know what to do. I tried to be cool, and said "Chiisu"....as in what's up in a slang way.

Then...I went up-stairs to tell my wife. I go back down, and he's still there...lol. So I said,...daijoubu? And then he took off....

A thief in the making, that had no peer pressure around, scared. I hope I made a difference in his life....but he has many years to go, and I proabably didn't.

[RIFFRAFF]

There was an 15-20 minute news show on TV yesterday about bullying and problems in Japan's industry. There has been a lot of media attention to bullying in Japanese schools over the past year. It seems to be a big enough problem to make it to the media which means it is a real problem.

[proudtobnotpc]

I had similar experiences over the years, but most times just staring at them in the eye is enough to get my point across and they leave, then again it could be that I look like Yakuza thats what the family says anyway

[Isaak Brodsky]

My wife, Korean, told me early on that Korean women who married American men were though to be prostitutes by strangers. I think they're just jealous. :D

Regards

Ox

I've heard the exact same thing too. Who's jealous in this case, those other Korean men who can't stand seeing one of "their" women holding hands with a foreigner or other Korean women who can't seem to get a date with a foreigner? As I said earlier, one woman - a complete stranger - was publicly attempting to humiliate my wife. Of course, I've gotten the stinky from some men as well.

I've tried to explain this feeling of "otherness" before to some of my university students - many of whom were African American. I think that our very presence in a given context has profound meaning for other people. When I was eye-balled by others with a hint of suspicion on the streets of Seoul, I felt immediately able to empathize with my fellow African-American citizens, even though my skin is so white it's pink.

I don't know if what I'm saying here makes complete sense, but if you'd like I can continue and try to clarify what I mean. Cheers, ib

[Isaak Brodsky]

I remember cutting the grass in my 10 x 8 yard. I took a break and saw this kid on his bike right at my front gate looking as if he's waiting for a friend to come up the steep hill I live on.

I didn't bother any attention to much, until I went inside and came back out to go into my garage port underneith the house. There...I saw the kid again, this time near the opening of the port staring into my garage where all my tools, soldering equipment, etc are.

He looked startled (sp) as soon as he saw me. He froze in position and didn't know what to do. I tried to be cool, and said "Chiisu"....as in what's up in a slang way.

Then...I went up-stairs to tell my wife. I go back down, and he's still there...lol. So I said,...daijoubu? And then he took off....

A thief in the making, that had no peer pressure around, scared. I hope I made a difference in his life....but he has many years to go, and I proabably didn't.

Another great example. The optimist in me would say that he was only spellbound by the plethora of foreign-looking stuff, but the pessimist would say that he was likely casing the area for potential hit.

Like what I was saying the other day, it didn't initially register that these yan-kee were looking to score some Nintendos, but the more they sized us (my buddy and I) up to try and determine what kind of response we might have to their attack on this younger kids, I really felt that our very presence in that instance detered them.

[-Rudel-]

Just glad you were there then!

The only thing foreign-looking at my house was me...LOL. It's been 6 months now.

I actually saw the kid 5 more times. I found out what he's interested in, and it was all my car parts he saw in the garage.

One night he was watching me do the "lazy eye" mod on my car's head lights. He just stood there, but I asked him questions about cars, his name, etc. He's just starting Junior high now, and loves 180s he says.

He comes by once in a while still when he hears my car rev up...lol

[Tanimaga]

One night he was watching me do the "lazy eye" mod on my car's head lights.

Lazy eye? You got bullethole and local motion stickers on there too? Late 80's retro look...cool!

[SGT_OKINAWA]

Back in 1989, I’d left New York New York club with a fellow Marine friend and his girlfriend and her friend (She had an American boyfriend already, but we just talked etc. and she was a friend of my wife, thought we’ve not heard from her in years) anyhow we went to a public park that small one south of Futenma Gate one, you have to turn off of suicide alley and it is only wide enough for one car, a long drive up, anyhow, we parked under the street lights at the parking lot and got out to talk and whatnot. Later these about 17 -18 year old Okinawan guys, think about 5 of them walked up the same street and when they came close enough to see us standing outside the car and talking in English they stopped and they had the look of “aw darn” on their face. Come to find out the park was closed, so either they were afraid to pass us or go into the park after hours or wanted to hang out in the same parking lot like we were.

Now trespassing in a closed park is not a big deal, but the fact that we presented an unfamiliar threat to their plans was a bit of a surprise to me, I’d only been on island a few months and that was one of many times the “Gi-jin” factor was used. There are more like that, but you get the idea.

However, on the flip side, anyone see the thread a couple weeks ago about when I worked at the Cannon club on BC street?

One night with no Okinawan’s but the band in the place and one look around to see it filled with Americans and a group of Okinawan’s said “no thanks” to momma-san and split. In that case I felt bad, here were some clean cut nice looking younger Okinawan’s that wanted to hear some classic rock, or see what was going on and one look they split, this happened a lot to tell you the truth.

So I agree in some cases it is good, others, not good. Poor momma-san was really trying to get them to come in, because if she had, it could possibly bring in more, she always tried her best to keep a balanced crowed.

Peace!:army: :old:

[Muku]

Back in 1989, I’d left New York New York club with a fellow Marine friend and his girlfriend and her friend (She had an American boyfriend already, but we just talked etc. and she was a friend of my wife, thought we’ve not heard from her in years) anyhow we went to a public park that small one south of Futenma Gate one, you have to turn off of suicide alley and it is only wide enough for one car, a long drive up, anyhow, we parked under the street lights at the parking lot and got out to talk and whatnot. Later these about 17 -18 year old Okinawan guys, think about 5 of them walked up the same street and when they came close enough to see us standing outside the car and talking in English they stopped and they had the look of “aw darn” on their face. Come to find out the park was closed, so either they were afraid to pass us or go into the park after hours or wanted to hang out in the same parking lot like we were.

Now trespassing in a closed park is not a big deal, but the fact that we presented an unfamiliar threat to their plans was a bit of a surprise to me, I’d only been on island a few months and that was one of many times the “Gi-jin” factor was used. There are more like that, but you get the idea.

However, on the flip side, anyone see the thread a couple weeks ago about when I worked at the Cannon club on BC street?

One night with no Okinawan’s but the band in the place and one look around to see it filled with Americans and a group of Okinawan’s said “no thanks” to momma-san and split. In that case I felt bad, here were some clean cut nice looking younger Okinawan’s that wanted to hear some classic rock, or see what was going on and one look they split, this happened a lot to tell you the truth.

So I agree in some cases it is good, others, not good. Poor momma-san was really trying to get them to come in, because if she had, it could possibly bring in more, she always tried her best to keep a balanced crowed.

Peace!:army: :old:

You know you just answered quite a few questions that I had in my mind about you and how much you understand the culture and people here on Okinawa. Thank you.:D

You really dont know that Yan-kees and bullying has absolutely nothing to do with American's do you?

[Jazz]

I admit that some of Sgt's post confuse the shit out of me or just make me think that he is a retired Marine that may be a tad bit off in the head (aren't we all though?), but in his defense, it was an easy mistake - Yankee could refer to a Okinawan bad boy (as in this case) or to an American (by people of some other countries) or to an American from the north (by Americans from the south). Of course he probably should have caught it if he read the OP carefully - the only thing that really specified the fact that they were Japanese Yankees was this line, "It was a very strange thing to see these hoodlums sit so close like vultures waiting for us gaijin to leave the area so that they could have their way with these much younger kids.", and the fact that the OP's English is well written however; it could have been a Japanese OP with good English skills who was referring to themselves as Guyjins (to the American Yankee hoodlums).

OK, I'm done, I think my A.D.D. is to strong for me to play these menial "calling people out on their posts" games. I can barely finish a clear, consice thought in my head.

In the words of Sgt. Okinawa - "Peace!"

[Muku]

I admit that some of Sgt's post confuse the shit out of me or just make me think that he is a retired Marine that may be a tad bit off in the head (aren't we all though?), but in his defense, it was an easy mistake - Yankee could refer to a Okinawan bad boy (as in this case) or to an American (by people of some other countries) or to an American from the north (by Americans from the south). Of course he probably should have caught it if he read the OP carefully - the only thing that really specified the fact that they were Japanese Yankees was this line, "It was a very strange thing to see these hoodlums sit so close like vultures waiting for us gaijin to leave the area so that they could have their way with these much younger kids.", and the fact that the OP's English is well written however; it could have been a Japanese OP with good English skills who was referring to themselves as Guyjins (to the American Yankee hoodlums).

OK, I'm done, I think my A.D.D. is to strong for me to play these menial "calling people out on their posts" games. I can barely finish a clear, consice thought in my head.

In the words of Sgt. Okinawa - "Peace!"
Ryu fair enough.

I would just like to point out the title of the thread. If it was anyone other than the SGT replying as he did, I would more than likely worded my reply quite a bit differently.

But thanks for giving him the benefit of the doubt, I didn't.:thumbup1:

Yan-kees and bullying, paying particular attention to the hypen.
Plus here in Japan, particularly here in Okinawa, in my experience, it is extremely rare, if ever, to hear any Japanese person call an American Yankee It's nearly always Amerika-jin or Gaijin or something similar.

With all due respect I think that the SGT here shows a bit of xenophobia about Japanese people.

Dont get me wrong, the Japanese do as well, and to a much greater degree as well imo.

[P_chan]

I thought that japanese hoodlums, aka yankees, were spelled with an "I" instead of two "ee"? I put "yanki" and "yankee" into google to look for a good picture of yanki style dress but couldn't find any.:(

[macker]

I want to be a Bully.....

<Uses new Google chrome to search for "How-to" websites on Bullying effectively in foreign lands>

[Blues]

If I had a kid, I'd make sure to get them into self defense (boxing, karate, etc.) I get annoyed when I see those bully situations on tv.

[Sex Wax]

I want to be a Bully.....

<Uses new Google chrome to search for "How-to" websites on Bullying effectively in foreign lands>

You are a bully you Irish wanker !! QUIT PICKING ON ME !!!!!

[macker]

Irish....


How insulting can you be!!!!!

Scottish Cvnt... I was only picking on you coz of the hot chicks...and you wouldn't share!!

[Sex Wax]

Irish....


How insulting can you be!!!!!

Scottish Cvnt... I was only picking on you coz of the hot chicks...and you wouldn't share!!

I paid for them fair and square !!!

[Muku]

I thought that japanese hoodlums, aka yankees, were spelled with an "I" instead of two "ee"? I put "yanki" and "yankee" into google to look for a good picture of yanki style dress but couldn't find any.:(

Try ヤンキー (http://images.google.co.jp/images?gbv=2&hl=ja&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=%E3%83%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AD%E3%83%BC&spell=1) instead in google Japan.

I think the mistake in the romaji that was used in the OP was written that way, imo, so that people here would understand it instead of yanki, which somehow to me sounds like some someone who is yank....ing off:ohmy:

I'll let you do the "honors" of picking a pic to post.:D

Well just to give people a small idea.....:smile4:
http://art8.photozou.jp/pub/512/137512/photo/4559490.jpg

[macker]

I paid for them fair and square !!!

Not what they said....They said you OWED them the cash......

[P_chan]

I thought this one was funny

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/o_ow/imgs/4/4/448981ef.jpg

Wish I could remember the name of the show with that okinawan lady my wife watches. She's got a class of yanki kids who are actually really nice but everyone treats them like crap but her. Show always ends with the kids getting their ass kicked by some other non pussy yankis and their teacher showing up to kick their ass and save her class. I don't know the actresses name but she's okinawan and she also does adds for AU. Oh and she is fine as hell:thumbup:

[macker]

A quick reminder of why I hate JP TV

[SGT_OKINAWA]

Oh, dear here we go again….

Personal attack #1

You know you just answered quite a few questions that I had in my mind about you

Again, *Sigh* a simple, “Gee SGT_OKINAWA you might have this mixed up or confused your message.” could have worked, but no your prejudice thoughts had to come forth and defend your virtual cyber space / zone as if I was on a course to overthrow the forums. I don’t want to hurt your feelings MUKU, I’m no threat to you, I don’t call you names, and attack YOU do I? You however seem to be looking for some type of information, slip up, or mistake on my behalf and want to enter into some sort of fight. Sad.

and how much you understand the culture and people here on Okinawa. Thank you.:D

Married to an Okinawan 16+ years, known her for 19 and lived there 10+ years, BUT again, one more JU member wants to attack good old SGT_OKINAWA.

MUKU was I in competition with you on Okinawa trivia, status, type, or culture, NO I was relating a story to a thread and just felt I could contribute my experiences for entertainment purposes in this thread; however YOU turn it into a personal attack. *Sigh*

No note that I have not lived in Okinawa for 6+ years and a lot changes over there… *sigh*

You really don[‘]t know that Yan-kees and bullying has absolutely nothing to do with American's do you?

Personal attack #2, rather then saying politely, “Again SGT_OKINAWA I think you have worded your response in your story a bit twisted.” You have to take it and make it into a personal attack and throw stones.

Had you not been focused on a personal attack, you might have seen that I simply worded it less then “flowing” for good reading and I tried to shorten it, because ….

My $1.02 worth is TOO MUCH *cough* as someone else pointed out IN ANOTHER THREAD, *cough*

….others too were taken a back by how I worded my story from 1989…. If you read and understood…

Back in 1989….,

I was not all up on the current 2008 slang like amegio, Yankie http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=yanki or what ever, does that make me a retard?

Later these about 17 -18 year old Okinawan guys, think about 5 of them walked up the same street

So, MUKU, who do you think I was talking about in a thread called “Yan-kees and bullying “ who are these guys smart ass?

Oh, now the light turns on in your head, I would have called the thread “PUNKS”, but I found it not necessary to use such derogatory terms, we all KNEW what we were talking about. So huh? Who are they, they are your precious “Yankie”’s http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=yanki

“about 5 of them” does that help you? And it helps if YOU read of MY post, smart ass!

However, on the flip side,

OMG! I even state in a common colloquial way, “flip side” so, what part of “flip side” don’t YOU understand? Flip side, = opposite, reverse, different, change over, exchange, make not the same, shall I go on?

So I agree in some cases it is good, others, not good.

OMG, AGAIN I am in comparison mode of the statement of the thread title “Yan-kees” and both sides, DID YOU HEAR ME? Let me say it again, BOTH SIDES, having an affect on others, both “Yan-kees” and “YANKEES” or however you want to spell the American term of “Yankie”’s http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=yanki
Both having affect on others, but NOOOOO, you had to focus on my wording, real thoughtful MUKU.

Personal Attack #3

With all due respect I think that the SGT here shows a bit of xenophobia about Japanese people.

WTF? Where did that come from? Why would I have xenophobia to Japan? “An abnormal fear or hatred of foreigners and strange things.” LOL!@U. Again, dismantling of ME and not focused on the topic in the thread, way to judge and throw stones AGAIN MUKU, even after everyone told you were harsh or in error, and not giving the benefit of the doubt to me, you still “E-THUGED” a simple error, you bring ANOTHER POST with a personal attack.

And… back to me LOL, I have to laugh at your statement, xenophobia, Oh I can’t wait to tell my wife that, she will laugh so hard, lol!

How the hell could I suffer from xenophobia, are you – A see, I’ll refrain from attacking you, to show that I am more respectful.

*Sigh* again, another I have to dismantle myself to explain something, this is getting really old you know.

I want to live in Okinawa more then any other place in the world right now, so you think I have a xenophobia to my Japanese wife, my multi-national children, the Shi Shi Lion’s I have at the front door of my home, nori in the cupboard, and a piece of the NAHA tug of war rope framed in my office at work, (By the way looks sweet, if I ever get back, I’m getting a BIGGER piece) and the fact that I speak Japanese, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.?

Sorry you feel that way about me MUKU, possibly we can avoid each other from now on, for the benefit of everyone here and us both.

Best regards and wished for you and yours.

Very Respectfully,

SGT_OKINAWA

Edit: P.S. Edit:

here is how I respond to a typo, mistake, etc:
New to Okinawa :) (http://www.japanupdate.com/forum/showpost.php?p=144911&postcount=7)

[Muku]

If the following quote here
You know you just answered quite a few questions that I had in my mind about you

Is considered a ...
Personal attack #1
Along with the rest of your reply as well

I think you got the wrong answer on your
http://digigirl.us/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/pocketmind.jpg


This is a web forum SGT:rolleyes: You want Sunday school then go to church.

Oh and by the way I like how you talk out of both sides of your mouth here too. Keep reinforcing the image I have of you:rolleyes:


I’ll refrain from attacking you, to show that I am more respectful.
who are these guys smart ass?

If that's respectful then I think you need to look up what the work means.:army:

Oh and all that nonsense for a 3 line post by me....WOW:scratchchin: I hope it didnt over tax you too much.

You almost come across to me as one of the people referred to in the OP. And I will let you try to use your mind reader here again to guess which one's I am thinking about. Good Luck!:rolleyes:

Edited to add.......
The term "Yanki" btw goes back a hell of a lot longer than 1989 btw, it was used well back in the mid to late 70's as well. It received more prominence in the early 80's thanks in part to Japanese TV. Live and learn SGT live and learn

[Jazz]

I truly think you're both a little koo koo for Co Co Puffs, but agin, who isn't?

[SGT_OKINAWA]

Oh and by the way I like how you talk out of both sides of your mouth here too. Keep reinforcing the image I have of you:rolleyes:

What? please expalin?

Edited to add.......
The term "Yanki" btw goes back a hell of a lot longer than 1989 btw, it was used well back in the mid to late 70's as well. It received more prominence in the early 80's thanks in part to Japanese TV. Live and learn SGT live and learn

I said I was not all up on the "slang" and that makes me a bad person?

Why the hate? What did I ever do to you?

[SGT_OKINAWA]

I admit that some of Sgt's post confuse the shit out of me or just make me think that he is a retired Marine that may be a tad bit off in the head (aren't we all though?), but in his defense, it was an easy mistake - Yankee could refer to a Okinawan bad boy (as in this case) or to an American (by people of some other countries) or to an American from the north (by Americans from the south). Of course he probably should have caught it if he read the OP carefully - the only thing that really specified the fact that they were Japanese Yankees was this line, "It was a very strange thing to see these hoodlums sit so close like vultures waiting for us gaijin to leave the area so that they could have their way with these much younger kids.", and the fact that the OP's English is well written however; it could have been a Japanese OP with good English skills who was referring to themselves as Guyjins (to the American Yankee hoodlums).

OK, I'm done, I think my A.D.D. is to strong for me to play these menial "calling people out on their posts" games. I can barely finish a clear, consice thought in my head.



In the words of Sgt. Okinawa - "Peace!"

Ryu, why was it clear to you that I made a mistake, and MUKU has to get all "my thoughts of you" about this?

Plus I get a warning for saying "SmartAss" and he can call me a xenophobia and get away with it. I guess I need to use "big words" to avoid that "name calling stuff"

Plus I get told to "This is a web forum SGT You want Sunday school then go to church."

Please someone tell me what I am doing wrong here, I like all the great info provided, advice, help, jokes, and such, but I guess a guy can't have a bad day and make a mistake without people "forming opinion about me" ?

Yeah, I know it is "arguing on the Internet" but wow, I'm getting attacked on all sides here, what did I do?

Peace?:crying:

[DougP]

Plus I get a warning for saying "SmartAss" and he can call me a xenophobia and get away with it. I guess I need to use "big words" to avoid that "name calling stuff"


Huge, huge difference between calling someone a smart ass and saying someone is exhibiting signs of xenophobia.

Again, you can comment on someone's posts and question their motives and behavior, even comment on that. But directly insulting them is where the line is drawn between shit talking and name calling.

[DougP]

Another thing to add. After reading SGT Okinawa's original post in this thread it's apparent to me that he was commenting on the OP's question. Whether or not one thinks that a person’s presence in any given situation can dissuade others from acting on their original intentions. I didn't see anything in his post that would give cause for me to think he was misconstruing the meaning of yankee(yanki) in the OP. More or less responding to the question and offering up a perspective based on his experiences. Honestly I can't see what provoked Muku into responding to SGT Okinawa's post the way he did. It seems to me it was Muku who was originally mistaken and did not fully understand what SGT Okinawa was trying to say.

[Jazz]

Ryu, why was it clear to you that I made a mistake, and MUKU has to get all "my thoughts of you" about this?

Plus I get a warning for saying "SmartAss" and he can call me a xenophobia and get away with it. I guess I need to use "big words" to avoid that "name calling stuff"

Plus I get told to "This is a web forum SGT You want Sunday school then go to church."

Please someone tell me what I am doing wrong here, I like all the great info provided, advice, help, jokes, and such, but I guess a guy can't have a bad day and make a mistake without people "forming opinion about me" ?

Yeah, I know it is "arguing on the Internet" but wow, I'm getting attacked on all sides here, what did I do?

Peace?:crying:

I wish I could help you but I, probably more than anyone, will never figure out some peoples thought processes.

I could suggest a visit to the Jufua thread (JU Forum support group).

Peace

[Jazz]

Another thing to add. After reading SGT Okinawa's original post in this thread it's apparent to me that he was commenting on the OP's question. Whether or not one thinks that a person’s presence in any given situation can dissuade others from acting on their original intentions. I didn't see anything in his post that would give cause for me to think he was misconstruing the meaning of yankee(yanki) in the OP. More or less responding to the question and offering up a perspective based on his experiences. Honestly I can't see what provoked Muku into responding to SGT Okinawa's post the way he did. It seems to me it was Muku who was originally mistaken and did not fully understand what SGT Okinawa was trying to say.

Very insightful of you.

[Muku]

Another thing to add. After reading SGT Okinawa's original post in this thread it's apparent to me that he was commenting on the OP's question. Whether or not one thinks that a person’s presence in any given situation can dissuade others from acting on their original intentions. I didn't see anything in his post that would give cause for me to think he was misconstruing the meaning of yankee(yanki) in the OP. More or less responding to the question and offering up a perspective based on his experiences. Honestly I can't see what provoked Muku into responding to SGT Okinawa's post the way he did. It seems to me it was Muku who was originally mistaken and did not fully understand what SGT Okinawa was trying to say.

Doug if you look at the OP and the Sgt's remarks you should see the difference between the two. One, in the OP it was discussing how they observed a gang of young hoodlums and a group of other kids playing their games.

I am not going to go through all of that again however I would like to know how the Sgt's reply about Japanese being afraid or put off by the prescence of American's relates to that? The OP was an observation by an American(?) towards the actions of a group of Japanese hoodlums, and possible bullying that may have or probably would have occured if the "adults" were not there to witness it. It's a different topic altogether. Unless you want to equal Yankee's with Yanki. Yeah right Scratching Chin here....

I would also like to know how you or anyone for that matter can possibly assume to know what I meant by the following, my quote here, without actually asking me? Not that it matters anymore because his replies just reinforced my beliefs and will no longer get a response even if asked now. Assumptions are a bitch.

You know you just answered quite a few questions that I had in my mind about you and how much you understand the culture and people here on Okinawa. Thank you.

You really dont know that Yan-kees and bullying has absolutely nothing to do with American's do you?

Also why is it that the Sgt gets all butt hurt when someone makes an innocuous comment and he ends up talking out of both sides of his mouth in reply and makes excuses for his own commentary.rolling eyes here.....

Plus wants sympathy as well and considers that one comment a personal attack Give me a break here. Particularly after his following replies.

Actually I really dont care, he can feel anyway he wants that's his choice, but if he actually feels this way....

Sorry you feel that way about me MUKU, possibly we can avoid each other from now on, for the benefit of everyone here and us both.


I suggest that he take his own advice and either quit replying to my posts, put me on ignore or both. It's up to him.

[DougP]

Doug if you look at the OP and the Sgt's remarks you should see the difference between the two. One, in the OP it was discussing how they observed a gang of young hoodlums and a group of other kids playing their games.

I am not going to go through all of that again however I would like to know how the Sgt's reply about Japanese being afraid or put off by the prescence of American's relates to that? The OP was an observation by an American(?) towards the actions of a group of Japanese hoodlums, and possible bullying that may have or probably would have occured if the "adults" were not there to witness it. It's a different topic altogether. Unless you want to equal Yankee's with Yanki. Yeah right Scratching Chin here....

Again, after reading both the OP and SGT's post, again and again, my take on it is quite different. I see SGT's remarks as being inline with the question posed in the OP. Again taking a look at the last part of the OP


It was a very strange thing to see these hoodlums sit so close like vultures waiting for us gaijin to leave the area so that they could have their way with these much younger kids. We, nevertheless, remained close enough by to represent the necessary distraction against these would-be scavengers.

Finally, the leader of hoodlum gang motioned for his cohorts to vacate the area. Later, I thought about what my buddy and I witnessed brewing before our eyes and what sort of trouble our presence meant to those who would have likely attacked these younger kids. That circumstance got me to think about how even a person’s presence in any given situation can dissuade others to act on their impulses.

Can anyone relate to this kind of story?

Whether or not it was the presence of foreigners or the presence of adults that led to the disappearing of the hoodlums is left up to interpretation. Either or Ian(Isaak) asked if anyone can relate to this kind of story. Clearly SGT Okinawa could relate and posted his experiences of when the presence of either adults or gaijin had dissuade others from their original course of action. In my opinion, you misconstrued the intent of SGT's post. I also wouldn't rule out the possibility that xenophobia plays a role as a deterrence over here(or anywhere for that matter).

I would also like to know how you or anyone for that matter can possibly assume to know what I meant by the following, my quote here, without actually asking me? Not that it matters anymore because his replies just reinforced my beliefs and will no longer get a response even if asked now. Assumptions are a bitch.

First off if we are not supposed to know what you meant by posting
"You know you just answered quite a few questions that I had in my mind about you and how much you understand the culture and people here on Okinawa. Thank you.


Then what's the point of posting it??? To confuse people? Or were you trying to imply that SGT Okinawa knows little of the culture and people here on Okinawa? That's how I would have received it.

And this....

You really dont know that Yan-kees and bullying has absolutely nothing to do with American's do you? "

Way out of left field... SGT wasn't even talking about yankees in his original post... When did he mention the word Yanki, Yanky or Yankee??? Or misinterpret its meaning in the OP???

Also why is it that the Sgt gets all butt hurt when someone makes an innocuous comment and he ends up talking out of both sides of his mouth in reply and makes excuses for his own commentary.rolling eyes here.....

Why people get all flustered about forum stuff is beyond me.:) He was probably wondering where your statement came from. Probably thought "WTF?? Where did Muku get all that from???"

Plus wants sympathy as well and considers that one comment a personal attack Give me a break here. Particularly after his following replies.

Actually I really dont care, he can feel anyway he wants that's his choice, but if he actually feels this way....



I suggest that he take his own advice and either quit replying to my posts, put me on ignore or both. It's up to him.

All that crap that happened after his first post and your reply is none of my concern:D Well as long as neither one of you starts with the personal insults.:) To me that whole back-and-forth started off on misconception so I can't even begin to comment on any of that junk... that's on you two. :thumbup1:

[Jazz]

Nicely put Doug, I saw what you pointed out originally and considered how I wished I could put it into words and break it down like you have here.

[Muku]

Whether or not it was the presence of foreigners or the presence of adults that led to the disappearing of the hoodlums is left up to interpretation. Either or Ian(Isaak) asked if anyone can relate to this kind of story. Clearly SGT Okinawa could relate and posted his experiences of when the presence of either adults or gaijin had dissuade others from their original course of action. In my opinion, you misconstrued the intent of SGT's post. I also wouldn't rule out the possibility that xenophobia plays a role as a deterrence over here(or anywhere for that matter).

I dont see it that way, and that's fine, we disagree, however I will explain to you why.....

The original post was discussing the possiblity of bullying or worse that may have taken place but didnt because of the prescence of Issak. At least from the OP nothing happened because they were there. There is also an implied idea that the possiblity of a crime would, or should I say could have occured, at least bullying as refered to in the subject of this thread.

There is nothing in the SGT's post that implied that the American's or Japanese were bullying or looking to prey upon a victim or potential victim. The only thing he related was that the Japanese people in question were put off by the prescence of American's, huge difference in my eyes. Different subject. Oh unless in the SGT's posts the implication should have been made that the American's were hoodlums looking to prey on an innocent victim, in that case then I would have thought it was on target for the thread.

Also taking that and other posts around this forum that he has made in reply to a number of different subjects enlightened me to respond as I did.

Way out of left field... SGT wasn't even talking about yankees in his original post... When did he mention the word Yanki, Yanky or Yankee??? Or misinterpret its meaning in the OP???

Not so when you read what I wrote up above here.

As I wrote to Ryu when he questioned my response I stated and I again quote myself here.... If it was anyone other than the SGT replying as he did, I would more than likely worded my reply quite a bit differently.

[Muku]

In clarification....just because the SGT is married to a Japanese woman does not free him from the possiblity that he is exhibiting signs of xenophobia towards the Japanese/Okinawan's.

There have been, and I am willing to bet still are posters on this forum that like him are married to or have Japanese GF's. However they bitch, moan, complain about everything here and are arrogant as hell in still thinking that this island is under American control.

There was a time many, many, years ago that I too felt the same way. The reasons being a normal reaction to being submerged into such an alien culture in comparison to my own. However I took the time to educate myself and find out more about my surroundings here and to learn to accept things that previously I would have dismissed out of hand.

The roots of which imo, come/came from a lack of understanding, fear, and ignorance of the people and culture.

Oh and just so the SGT doesnt get the wrong idea here :rolleyes: outside of the opening paragraph in this post the rest is an observation and opinion on my part and not directed directly towards him.

[DougP]

There have been, and I am willing to bet still are posters on this forum that like him are married to or have Japanese GF's. However they bitch, moan, complain about everything here and are arrogant as hell in still thinking that this island is under American control.

There was a time many, many, years ago that I too felt the same way. The reasons being a normal reaction to being submerged into such an alien culture in comparison to my own. However I took the time to educate myself and find out more about my surroundings here and to learn to accept things that previously I would have dismissed out of hand.

I can't argue with that.:)

[SGT_OKINAWA]

In clarification....just because the SGT is married to a Japanese woman does not free him from the possiblity that he is exhibiting signs of xenophobia towards the Japanese/Okinawan's.

There have been, and I am willing to bet still are posters on this forum that like him are married to or have Japanese GF's. However they bitch, moan, complain about everything here and are arrogant as hell in still thinking that this island is under American control.

There was a time many, many, years ago that I too felt the same way. The reasons being a normal reaction to being submerged into such an alien culture in comparison to my own. However I took the time to educate myself and find out more about my surroundings here and to learn to accept things that previously I would have dismissed out of hand.

The roots of which imo, come/came from a lack of understanding, fear, and ignorance of the people and culture.

Oh and just so the SGT doesnt get the wrong idea here :rolleyes: outside of the opening paragraph in this post the rest is an observation and opinion on my part and not directed directly towards him.

Muku, and all others who had to witness this terrible incident.

Sorry, to hear and now I understand where your initial drive
comes from, and how you "attacked me" as a result of my poor
wording in my post, I'm not the best story teller, sorry to hear
that you feel / felt that way about Japan and its culture in the
beginning.

That is unfortunate.

Myself however, I grew up in the state of Nebraska in a xenophobia
free environment, my brother, sister and I were taught NOT to have
a preconceived prejudice / racist thoughts, efforts, or beliefs. I have
always embraced, encouraged, and promoted a positive approach to
all matters "unknown" to me, it is what makes our life fulfilling. My
parents would always say, "Put yourself in their shoes before you throw
stones." That is where the "stone throwing" remark came from, I guess
I was talking like my mother does, shes 64 years old now and still makes
me laugh when she comments about Barrack Obama and says, "News man,
I could care less what race he is, how well will he be as a president is all
that matters", (She is very Democratic as you can tell.)

Also, last night after having explained and showed my wife this thread,
at first she laughed,

"YOU not like things foreign? Ha ha, yeah right"

and then with a stern look told me, and the look of a concerned wife
and said:

"Maybe you should stop reading or commenting on that site, it's
possibly a bad thing for you and you don't need that extra stress
right now with the hopes of a new job and everything going on
right now."

I can't agree more, so sorry to have upset you in anyway MUKU, or
others here, my defense / response use of the word SmartAss was
uncalled for and childish. I was desperately trying to defend myself
and you have every right to be mad at me, for that I apologize.

DougP and others, thanks for the kind comments, you did truly break
it down and explain in detail as I could not a way that straighten this
whole mess out. For that I say thanks and please at any time if I use
my less then stellar way of getting information across, I would love to
say thank you for assisting me in keeping me out of hot water, :) I'm
not so good at the "What I want to say, getting it out in type form."

Side note: Can you really put someone on ignore? If so, how do you do
that? MUKU not to say that is what I want to do with you because
your 4,000 posts I know some place I have thanked you, because you
do have some great advice, and information to provide, I hope you'll
continue to post responses to my "err, not so good worded posts"

Thanks, and take care all and :D Peace! http://www.japanupdate.com/forum/images/icons/icon11.gif
SGT_OKINAWA

P.S. There, now I feel better. I was all bummed yesterday night, I really thought I had dome something very wrong. :crying:

[jrademacher]

the following people are gay

[Jazz]

the following people are gay

You mean the preceding? And if I'm included then thank you. I've always thought being gay was a key to longevity.

[SGT_OKINAWA]

You mean the preceding? And if I'm included then thank you. I've always thought being gay was a key to longevity.

Ha ha ha ! :first:

Peace!:D

[jimbob17755]

You mean the preceding? And if I'm included then thank you. I've always thought being gay was a key to longevity.
not longevity, NEATNESS! and setting a nice table!