Just kill me now...
I was in Shodo (Calligraphy) with the 1st years (10th Grade/Sophomore)this morning and I was almost taken aback by what the girl next to me said.Mari: Can I have you e-mail?
Me: Sure, it's xxx@gmail.com, you can mail with you phone or computer even when I'm back home in Australia. (Note: Japanese messages are sent using e-mail addresses rather than phone numbers).
Mari: Oh, thankyou. Does it go to your mobile in Australia?
Me: No, it doesn't but it goes to my e-mail on my computer which I generally check everyday.
Mari: Ok. Hey, do you communicate with your family in Australia on the computer as well?
Me: Yes, via e-mail.
Mari: So the e-mail can travel to Australia as well?!
Me: (I was a little surprised, but understood why she didn't know much about the internet because despite Japan being the most technological country in the world, they don't like use computers very much). Yes, through the internet, but my parents ususally just call me.
Mari: Call? Like to Japan?
Me: Yep.
Mari: They can call you from Australia?
Me: ... yes...
Mari: It's possible to make international calls?!
Me: ... yes...
Mari: WOW.
Me: Yes... anywhere around the world as long as there is another phone...
Mari: WOW.
Me: *dies*
However, I don't think the reason she didn't know about international phone calls was solely because she was ditzy, another reason is that Japan is just surprisingly separated from the rest of the world. There are many Japanese people who haven't been to another country before, since Japan is a island you'll have to travel by plane to get anywhere, which isn't always affordable (with time and money) for a lot of people, so they only really get to know Japanese culture. Japan is not a very multicultural country either (it's easier to to become an idol here than it is to immigrate), so the only other cultural influences are from neighbouring Asian countries especially China, Korea and Thailand. American or European culture is rather a Japanese interpretation of it, which can sometimes be very stereotypical and amusing at the same time.
A lot of girls in my class don't understand how I can be a Chinese Australian, since in Japan you can only really be Japanese Japanese. Many of the students can't grasp the concept of migration and naturalization because it's simply not common in Japan as it is compared to the US, UK or Australia etc.
Students: Are you half?
Me: Nope, both my parents are of Chinese heritage.
Students: But you're tall, you have long lashes and your hair is not black.
Me: Yes, I know... but...
Students: So you're dad is Australian?
Me: Yes. No... well you see, he's a Chinese Australian as well.
Students: So you're Australian then.
Me: Yes.
Students: But you don't look completely Australian.
Me: What do Australian's look like?
Students: White people with blonde hair... but you are tall though.
Me: *sweatdrops* Yes there are Australian's who look like that, but there are also Australian's who look like me, and Australian's who look Latino and Australian's with darker skin.
Students: Huh?
Sometimes it can be a little frustrating explaining and they start to get bored with my commentary on multiculturalism in Australia so they start asking me about the new eyeliner I brought from Lancôme instead -_-;;
From now on I'm just going to use Amir's line (Amir is half Irish half India):
Whenever they ask you, "Are you half?", tell them, "no I'm full." XD
Labels: Japan Exchange, Rant
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