Fun with Japan

[deralte]

Why is my chicken ramen flavoured with curry? And for that matter, why is the pork ramen flavoured like barbecue? Or is the real question why can't I find the Japanese brands I'm used to? *pout* Oh, Ichiban, wherefore art thou?

In other news, I was extremely amused today when a woman knocked on my door. She looked disconcerted and asked if I spoke any Japanese (in Japanese). I told her a little, and she handed me a familar looking booklet (ie a Mormon evangelising thingy) and went on her way. I closed the door and started laughing upon realizing that the Mormon's could visit all they like since I wouldn't be able to understand a word they said *L*

This is almost as amusing as how confused my boss was when I answered my phone with "moshi moshi" this morning. She sounded rather disconcerted when she said I sounded Japanese *L*

Comments

[deralte.livejournal.com]

It's just the normal Mormon creed stuff, only in Japanese. They even used the same pic I've seen in America though.

[kilerkki.livejournal.com]

I just wondered because I'm Mormon. Professional curiosity, perhaps?

The same picture wouldn't surprise me, as Church literature tends to be distributed world-wide with only the translation changing. Though it'd probably be nice if they could take country-specific photographs.

[deralte.livejournal.com]

Ah. I was thinking that they could really stand to change their pics. There isn't a single Asian person in the entire booklet and I'm sure many Japanese just flip through it to see the gaijin (foreigners) then recycle it. I was told by one of my students today that there's a Mormon church in the next city over and a major temple in this prefecture, hence their presence at my door this morning.

[kilerkki.livejournal.com]

Are foreigners really that uncommon?

I know there's a temple in Tokyo and one in Fukuoka, but I have no idea which is your prefecture. *forgets things easily*

[deralte.livejournal.com]

Well, foreigners in everyday life seem to be pretty uncommon. I get stared at wherever I go, though especially when I'm in an uncommon place like the second hand store or a bookshop (not so much in the supermarket, I've noticed). And I suspect I'm not stared at as much as they want to considering the way the kids act (staring all the time). I had a kid wave to me yesterday and I waved back and made her day *L* I'm average Japanese height so I don't stand out in that way, but I have long, brown hair and a very curvy figure, so I'm sure I stand out. I suppose I should be weirded out by the whole thing, but for some reason, I'm cool with it. Go figure.

It's the one in Fukuoka. I believe that's still Yamaguchi prefecture, but even if it isn't, that is the closest major city to here.

[kilerkki.livejournal.com]

At least we're not White Devils anymore? Though I believe that was in some book I read about a Chinese kid in 1900. I think it's actually kind of cool, speaking from total non-experience; curiosity about another's culture is the best way to avoid xenophobia. And after all, you're there to teach--by example as well as classroom instruction, perhaps.