I love everything about Japanese culture…

Yesterday I read on one of the blogs I frequent how some idiot was gushing about how he “loves everything about Japanese culture.” And that to me just proved that he didn’t know the first thing what he was talking about – apart maybe from manga, sushi and Harajuku girls.

I like a lot about Japanese culture, but not everything. Far from it, actually.

And to the morons who proclaim that they just love EVERYTHING about Japanese culture, I want to say – “so how about burakumin, shudo, enjo kosai and burusera shops?”

Actually, I don’t even need to look for such extreme examples. How about smoking in restaurants? Do you like that? How about working yourself to death? Do you like that?

What about the five main principles of nihonjinron? Do you like that?

But unfortunately, those people who proclaim to love EVERYTHING about Japanese culture most likely just mean manga, anime, sushi and pop idols. They may have (or may have not) spent two weeks in Tokyo, or if they’re very lucky – also in Kyoto and Hiroshima, and now feel they KNOW the country. Though some of the “I love everything about Japanese culture” crowd never even set foot in Japan.

And I’m guessing that 99.99% of them know only two words of Japanese: kawaii and sushi.

I love a lot of things about Japanese culture. Don’t know how much, can’t put a percentage number on it, because you can’t quantify culture. And even though I know a lot about Japanese culture, I’m still learning more every day. And to put it in perspective – I’m learning about my own culture, too. And to put it in perspective again – I don’t love everything about my own culture either.

So, next time you feel like opening your mouth and bringing forth such bullshit as “I love EVERYTHING about Japanese culture!”, think – do you love EVERYTHING about your own? No? Then STFU and then you might actually have half a chance of not looking like a total moron.

~ by historyneverrepeats on November 15, 2009.