Thank you for sharing the video, your comments on cultural differences re men and women were interesting and got me to think deeper about gender role/gender equalities here in Japan. I was born and raised in Japan until 9 and spent 4 years in the Bay Area, then moved back to Tokyo, and moved to Louisiana in my early 30s for my grad school and then moved back to Tokyo again after that, so I have personally experienced the differences you two mentioned. I think one of the biggest differences between Japan and the US is that in Japan men have traditionally seen women as the "superior kind, the ruler" in a society, in a community, and in a household (maybe analogous to Italian households where the big Mama or the Grandma is the boss. (note that the almighty Goddess in Shintoism is a female (The Amaterasu)), whereas in the US, or maybe in Christian nations in general (not so sure about this so pls correct me if im wrong) , men have always been regarded as the "superior" being (pls correct me if Im wrong - because God is male and God created human beings like Him?) . I have always wondered why a traditional Japanese household- with a full time working husband and a full time housewife with kid(s) - can be "ruled" by the wife where the wife fully handles the money and the husband only gets the monthly allowances (okodukai) (husband gives away the full monthly salary to the wife and the wife gives back the okodukai to the husband). The interesting fact is that some (many?) traditional households (including my dad and my father in law) are happy being "managed" by the wife under the okodukai system. Maybe this has the same roots with your comments that wives become "the mom" in a household in Japan. Anyways thanks and I enjoyed watching your video!!
I’m so glad you guys talk about this! I went to an American local high school for an year as exchange student and that’s exactly how I felt. I just said hi smiling, trying to make friends and people thought I was flirting with everybody 😂 I was really confused and shocked , so I’m glad that the mystery is now finally solved .
I see many people holding a door when another one is behind in Tokyo, too. Especially for elderly people or a woman with a stroller. Not only men but also women do. And also in Tokyo, some people hold a door when someone is just behind them until the person holds the door themselves. We don't think it is men‘s duty. It depends on the distance between those people we think we should. However, I felt comfortable with a man holding a door for me when I was in the States😊 Also, I appreciated that foreign men asked me to help when I had a bunch of luggage at the airport.
This topic was really interesting to me especially bc i was born and raised in Japan, moved to the US in my 20's and have lived in the US for about 10yrs. I personally think friendship bw men and women in the US are as common as in Japan. I also like how opinionated women are in the US in front of their guy friends. Whereas in Japan, women tend to stay in a "good listener" position for their guy friends, which reflects the Japan's old gender expectation. Im in my late 30's and been away from Japan for a while, so things might be changing among young ppl in Japan tho. Anyways thank u for unpacking the very interesting cultural topic!
As you guys discussed, I feel a bit distant in relationship between men and women in office in the U.S. But same thing can be applicable to Japanese company. It is depending on kind of occupation and regional area
I think this is one of the most interesting videos of yours!! I used to live and study in the us both in high school and college in the us and thought that the “true” friendship between men and women was quite more often seen than here in Japan, BUT as you guys pointed out, I remember I had never ever seen like boys and girls stayed in the same hotel room kind of things. But in college in Japan for instance, those kind of situation do happen pretty often and maybe something happens among some kids😂 just because usually boys are more shy? than Americans maybe? 😂😂😂
Thanks for the interesting conversation. I personally think one of the major reason why native Japanese women are attracted to go with foreign guys outside Japan are being fascinated for their Decision-making and survival skills more than only customs of lady’s first. Each people might be the difference but this is one of my perspectives.
I have a disability. If someone opens the door for me, it would be helpful. As for paying bills, not all men pay it for me. Maybe we were in twenties and he just came from England. Apart from ladies first, a Japanese man asked me if it's rude to say "Bijyo(美女)". It's ok with me. "Bimajyo" is not ok.