Full Version: Hajimemashite.
Yes I'm aware this is an English forum, but as I'm actually in Japan as I type this post, thought I'd introduce myself with a bit of Japanese. 
Anyway, I'm Bill, from Atlanta, GA. I found this forum because I've gotten sick and tired of "debates" that just degenerate inevitably into a slew of insults and flaming. Hopefully you guys won't disappoint! ^_~
I'm especially looking forward to reading some of the gay marriage debates in here, as well in participating in them. I'm currently engaged to my fiance who I've been with for almost 3 years, so it's a personal issue for me. Hopefully, this place will offer some constructive debate on the topic!
Anyway, I'm Bill, from Atlanta, GA. I found this forum because I've gotten sick and tired of "debates" that just degenerate inevitably into a slew of insults and flaming. Hopefully you guys won't disappoint! ^_~
I'm especially looking forward to reading some of the gay marriage debates in here, as well in participating in them. I'm currently engaged to my fiance who I've been with for almost 3 years, so it's a personal issue for me. Hopefully, this place will offer some constructive debate on the topic!
Hi Bill - welcome to 
Have you moved to Japan permanently, or is it just for a job contract? What's it like?
A friend of mine recently worked there for 9 months and said that it's about the most alien society he could imagine from Western democracy, despite superficial similarities. Not better or worse overall - though there are elements of both; just so dramatically different that it can only be described as alien.
He also said it's extremely, though not violently, racist - as a gaijin he could live there all his life and he'd only ever be a gaijin and would never take a full part in social circles.
And is your fiance male or female? (I must admit I assumed male - just because of what you said about wanting to take part in gay marriage debates, but you know what they say about assumption.) Either way, congratulations.
Have you moved to Japan permanently, or is it just for a job contract? What's it like?
A friend of mine recently worked there for 9 months and said that it's about the most alien society he could imagine from Western democracy, despite superficial similarities. Not better or worse overall - though there are elements of both; just so dramatically different that it can only be described as alien.
He also said it's extremely, though not violently, racist - as a gaijin he could live there all his life and he'd only ever be a gaijin and would never take a full part in social circles.
And is your fiance male or female? (I must admit I assumed male - just because of what you said about wanting to take part in gay marriage debates, but you know what they say about assumption.) Either way, congratulations.
QUOTE(Julian @ Jun 26 2007, 08:16 AM) 
Hi Bill - welcome to
Have you moved to Japan permanently, or is it just for a job contract? What's it like?
A friend of mine recently worked there for 9 months and said that it's about the most alien society he could imagine from Western democracy, despite superficial similarities. Not better or worse overall - though there are elements of both; just so dramatically different that it can only be described as alien.
He also said it's extremely, though not violently, racist - as a gaijin he could live there all his life and he'd only ever be a gaijin and would never take a full part in social circles.
And is your fiance male or female? (I must admit I assumed male - just because of what you said about wanting to take part in gay marriage debates, but you know what they say about assumption.) Either way, congratulations.
Have you moved to Japan permanently, or is it just for a job contract? What's it like?
A friend of mine recently worked there for 9 months and said that it's about the most alien society he could imagine from Western democracy, despite superficial similarities. Not better or worse overall - though there are elements of both; just so dramatically different that it can only be described as alien.
He also said it's extremely, though not violently, racist - as a gaijin he could live there all his life and he'd only ever be a gaijin and would never take a full part in social circles.
And is your fiance male or female? (I must admit I assumed male - just because of what you said about wanting to take part in gay marriage debates, but you know what they say about assumption.) Either way, congratulations.
I haven't moved to Japan permanently - I'm actually returning to the USA on Friday. I've been here for a 6-week program that I'm doing through Georgia Tech called LBAT - Leaders in Business And Technology.
Yes, the culture is dramatically different in many ways... in some ways worse, in some ways better. I haven't really experienced any racism. I know that I am a gaijin, but the fact that I've taken 3 years of Japanese and speak it semi-fluently makes Japanese more comfortable with me.
My fiance is male, by the way.
Two pictures just incase you're interested:http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/3131/amsundaygw8.jpg
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/3813/photo5vb1.jpg
In the first picture, I'm on the right - in the second, on the bottom. And thanks much for the congratulations.
Welcome aboard! Best wishes for your upcoming nuptials! 
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