How do friends, family, and acquaintances treat you when they find out or you share with them about your J-cultural interests?

I generally get a lot of "harro!" jokes and "yellow fever" jokes from some friends ... sincere intrigue from others... and my Family members (although my mother {small part chinese} is heavily influenced) have pretty much given up on me NOT being absorbed in Japanese culture.

Others call me an "anime geek" (I dislike 99% of anime and circles) because they think it all has to do with some DragonBallZ fixation like they're used to seeing in lame publications.

I can explain things that have led to my "Japanphilia" (family business, ex-fiance, etc.) because I don't believe that it is, necessarily, a four-letter word but some people are so narrowminded, it's best to not even bother.

similar experiences?
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Ushiroyubi wrote:

I can explain things that have led to my "Japanphilia" (family business, ex-fiance, etc.) because I don't believe that it is, necessarily, a four-letter word but some people are so narrowminded, it's best to not even bother.

I refer to it as Japan-centricism... It bugs my parents and grandparents, mainly because of Japan's invasion and atrocities in China during (and before) World War II... They don't seem to understand that it was a different generation and time, and that you can't hold Japanese-Americans responsible... But the anger runs deep.

Family: We don't really talk about it. They know about my interests, but I don't mention it. It's sort of acknowledged and accepted, but not understood. No effort is made to try things out or learn...it's just said to be "my thing". If a relative is in my car, no Japanese music will be played because it will probably get on their nerves. I'm not one to push things on people anyway, so unless they take an interest out of curiosity, they won't hear about it.

Friends: Pretty much the same as the family situation.

Acquaintances: They find it weird but are sorta fascinated once they find out (I don't make it a point to mention it). It wears off, then I'm "the girl who took Japanese and went to Japan", like I'm some odd breed

bmwracer wrote:

I refer to it as Japan-centricism... It bugs my parents and grandparents, mainly because of Japan's invasion and atrocities in China during (and before) World War II... They don't seem to understand that it was a different generation and time, and that you can't hold Japanese-Americans responsible... But the anger runs deep.

yea same here! My parents don't really like it and they even call me Japanese -_- I do watch Korean and HK films too but they think I watch too much jdrama. Oh well, I keep telling them that J-dramas are produced a lot better than HK dramas and if HK dramas were done more professionally then I wouldn't mind watching them as well.

eltinator wrote:

yea same here! My parents don't really like it and they even call me Japanese -_- I do watch Korean and HK films too but they think I watch too much jdrama. Oh well, I keep telling them that J-dramas are produced a lot better than HK dramas and if HK dramas were done more professionally then I wouldn't mind watching them as well.

I think it's very typical of most Chinese families, particularly ones from thie old country... One time, my mom tried to make an example of me in front of relatives for having a Japanese girlfriend. I took EXTREME exception to it and pretty much renounced my Chinese heritage because of it....

bmwracer wrote:

I took EXTREME exception to it and pretty much renounced my Chinese heritage because of it....

Geez. You shouldn't do that because of one incident. I thought only revolutionaries renounced stuff about themselves and all, hahah.

Tell us what happened, though. What'd your ma' do?

The Man wrote:

Geez. You shouldn't do that because of one incident. I thought only revolutionaries renounced stuff about themselves and all, hahah. Tell us what happened, though. What'd your ma' do?

Like I said, she tried to make an example of me in front of relatives, and I didn't take too kindly to being publicly humiliated because of their bigotry... "Renounced" is probably the wrong word, but it's close...

bmwracer, I know entirely what you mean. And yes, I suppose Japan-centricism is a better term for it.

eltinator, when they call you "Japanese" is it in a playful, sarcastic manner or negative?

Kouseiya315, that's tough. I guess indifference is better than discussion in your case?
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bmwracer wrote:

Like I said, she tried to make an example of me in front of relatives, and I didn't take too kindly to being publicly humiliated because of their bigotry... "Renounced" is probably the wrong word, but it's close...

damn... did it extend as far as you shunning everything OUTSIDE of your family related to your heritage as well?
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A response from a non-Asian, non-Japanese?

I guess I fit in there pretty well.

My family and friends think it's wierd that I'm hooked on Japanese TV and Movies. But once they mention that it's "wierd" they become pretty dismissive, because they know I don't need them to like what I like. And since I never try to force anyone to watch along with me... everything's cool.

And by the way, they don't think it's wierd because it's Japanese.

They think it's wierd because they know I don't speak Japanese.

I think their reaction would be the same if I was hooked on French, or Spanish, German TV.

Geezer wrote:

And by the way, they don't think it's wierd because it's Japanese. They think it's wierd because they know I don't speak Japanese. I think their reaction would be the same if I was hooked on French, or Spanish, German TV.

Haha, I totally understand this and can relate.

Some people really don't understand the intrigue or excitement over media in a language you don't understand... even if the messages relayed through them are universally understood.
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Ushiroyubi wrote:

damn... did it extend as far as you shunning everything OUTSIDE of your family related to your heritage as well?

Sort of. There isn't a Chinese thing in my home (aside from myself), but I have numerous Japanese watercolor paintings, movie posters, curios (the ubiquitous good luck cats), books, etc...

My family they know what I like, they don't care..sometimes they watch Jdorama with me..and they would say thats a good song when I'm listening to Jrock and Jpop.

As for my friends..some think it's just a phase..because I do have phases were I go crazy about something..well it isn't a phase..I only have 1 friend who watches Jdorama..I have alot of anime loving friends..so it's cool talking to them..it's also cool when I introduce to new Japanese anime/movies/music..they're cool.

Ushiroyubi wrote:

Kouseiya315, that's tough. I guess indifference is better than discussion in your case?

I don't really see it as tough. It's kinda crappy I don't have friends IRL that share the interest much (maybe ONE, but she doesn't live near me), but it's better than being ridiculed, LOL. So for friends and family, they sorta find it weird sometimes, then sometimes they think it's cool. The discussion of my staying in Japan comes up every now and again and they are interested sometimes. But I don't bother them with it or anything...if they wanna know, they ask. Otherwise, I don't mention it much at all because it's not their bag I sorta see it as the same way if my friends liked Russian culture or shows or something. I wouldn't understand and I don't really have an interest, but I'll listen and ask questions if they come up. But I'll also wonder "why Russia?".

From my trip stories, finally ONE friend is curious and wants to go with me when we can both afford to go to Japan Plus her sister minored in Japanese so she's heard occasional stuff. But...her sister has no real interest in Japan, just took it with an International Business major. She can't speak a word of Japanese or read even after completing the minor.

Actually, I shouldnt be posting here, since I'm of Chinese decent, but I am anyway.

I used to get made fun of by my familia for watching, listening, and enjoying things of Japanese nature. I grew up watching Cantonese and Mandarin dramas, and while my family still made fun of me, at least they could say 'Well, it is our culture.'

But it gets worse, outside mi familia. See, I'm not predominately Asian. In fact, I'm mixed with more ethinicities than there are different cultures in my hometown of San Francisco; I've got a rich ethnic background. So because of that, I DONT look 'traditionally' Asian. In fact, I dont look like any one nationality, which has made life a bit of a task, trying to fit in with the right crowds and what not. You never realize how much racism still exists, until you realize you cant fit in to a single ethnic group of cohorts.

My parents are in Hong Kong and I live with my sister only.

My interest in japanese stuff started only after my parents left Canada so they don't really know. My sister knows cuz I'm always blasting up the speakers listening to jpop or watching jdramas. She could care less.

None of my friends are really into japanese stuff either. I tell them about it and they're like okay...not much interest there.

I'm asian/ pacific islander (whatever you want to call it). My family doesn't mind me watching jdramas, kdramas, cdramas , coz its shown in my home country (even spanish telenovelas). We are really open to other cultures coming into our country (maybe this is an effect of America colonizing us). ..so watching and supporting other asian works is sort of normal.

I did not grow up in the US but I grew up in an English speaking country, and I dunno but I find it weird/unusual when i see caucasians listening to asian music or watching asian dramas (weird not in a bad way),

I'm Chinese and I don't get any issues from watching japanese dramas or listening to japanese music. Even my mom asked me to make a compilation cd of jpop songs for her so she can listen to it at work! My dad doesn't care - he just doesn't like anime - well, except for Cowboy Bebop which he thought was kind of interesting....My parents' friends watch Cdramas and JDramas but a lot of them are now more interested in Kdramas. However none of my friends (asian and non-asians) watch or listen to anything that's not western and is not in English. Theydon't understand why I like to listen to french songs too and the funny thing is, we all know french pretty well But most of them just think I have an eclectic taste so it's okay...lol...

as for real they reallyt don't care abt. me getting into japanese culture what bugs me is when they try to speak some non-sense and gibberish nihonggo. I don't know what they are trying to imply.

Well, I'm Filipino and I get teased constantly about it by my parents and family. I guess it's there way of rebelling against me because I tend to favor watching an episode of "Friends" or "Will and Grace" over a Filipino show any day. While my older brother still "acts Filipino" as they put it, I've basically assimilated and think of myself as American than Filipino. I think it's natural for me to think this way when I have little or no memory of my life in the Phil. and have spent a huge majority of my life in San Francisco, but they don't see it like I do. I guess it's hard for them to see me interested in another Asian culture when I barely know my Filipino cultrue. But it wasn't for the lack of trying. It makes it hard to try and connect to my Filipino culture when I do watch a Filipino show, it's all about news about political corruption and rioting, variety shows where there are more shots of cute girls in the audience then the actual show, and badly made movies. Yesterday, I tried again and I caught a variety show where the guys sing songs titled (as a rough Tagalog translation) " My Jumbo Hotdog..can you handle it?" .

My family would interrupt in the middle of me watching a show and say a bunch of japanese words like "ohayo" or some common Chinese they hear like "Ni Hao" (simple stuff) in mocking that remind me of the old Jerry Lewis movies where he played an Asian man. Very rascist in tone and the cause of many fights between me and my family. When my friends come over, some of whihc are Chinese or Japanese, to watch some doramas, sometimes my mom would do her small impression. My friends put on a face that they shrug it off, but the minute of silence after the event is a sign that they are more hurt then they let on. My parents don't see it as rascist and think my friends aren't offended. That's why I avoid just "hanging out my house" as a form of activity and prefer to go to other people's houses.

The only dramas my parents approve of are ones that get popular back home in the Philippines (like Meteor Garden). . The teasing is worst when when the shows have Eng. subs so they can understand it,too. They would say something about it being weird watching something with subtitles when there are planty of shows out there in a language I can understand. That's why I love buying official Japanese DVDs because while I can understand it, they can't and their whole "why don't you watch a show in a language you can understand" argument is gone.

My friends are all cool about it. When it comes to high school or college friends, we don't like mentioning it around the friends who don't like it or anime because that just leaves them out of the conversation. Then there are my friends from grade school who got me introduced to anime and all things Japanese in the first place so of course they have no problems with it.