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If you have lived for any amount of time in Japan you will have undoubtedly come across the situation of how you should be addressed: by first or last name. As a teacher you would be addressed as sensei preceded by your first or last name depending usually on how easy it is to remember or pronounce your name. But should a gaijin call a Japanese by their first or last name. I find it always frustrating having to call people by their last name. Maybe it is time to make some changes in Japan. Before the World Wars it was most common for whole towns and cities in Japan to be related by blood or marriage. The name of the family was a sort of badge to be worn when leaving the city that would distinguish you from “them.” I’m editing a paper for one of the professors at my university and came across this sentence: “[In America] I did not get used to always being called by my first name, since we address others by their family names all of the time in Japan. I felt as if I had had my name cut off from my family registration and had lost my identity.” Isn’t it time to “strip” this old identity and begin a new one. It is no longer the days of clans. Belonging to a group and the idea of haji (shame) have died. I think it’s time we go by first names.
Comments:
3 Comments posted on "Call me by my first name"
The Warrior on October 5th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Since even very few Americans can pronounce my last name, I have always been called by my first name. I have actually noticed in recent years that more younger Japanese prefer me to call them by their first name. So maybe there is hope yet.
Zen on October 8th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
I find it interesting that “Americans” come to Japan and want Japan to change whatever custom(s) that they have had, to make the “Americians” more comfortable, at home. However when these same Japanaese come to America they are still expected to do the “American way”. Sounds like the typical “Sounds similar on a small scale to the GW Bush way of politics which the world has grown to love…Our way or no way On the other hand these Americans say , oh, Japan is losing it’s Japan”ness” and is so western… So which is it, you want Japan or you want America, or some hybrid…Ameripan?
Mike on October 9th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
I know what you are saying Zen, and I am sure it came out as if I am trying to change the Japanese, but this isn’t the case. Japanese are struggling with their own sense of identity. It used to be crime was never considered a problem and children would grow up to have big families and look after the elderly. Those days are changing. Workers are not as loyal and and the family unit becoming smaller. How can the society exist in a global economy without recognizing that the rest of the world is affecting how the culture is changing and then make the necessary changes to balance the beautiful traditions that exist. I’m not trying to turn Japan into a America by ANY means, in fact, I think America is actually spiraling downward and bringing the rest of the world with it. No place or being is perfect, however being perceptive and taking action at the right time is detrimental. You must be logged in to post a comment. |
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