Which outfit for graduation?

[Lallans]

(BTW, for many people the word "gaijin" is considered derogatory and is often used pejoratively. I wouldn't use it. Gaikokujin is the commonly acceptable term).


Jim

Yes, but speaking as one foreign devil to another, there is absolutely nothing on earth that is not offensive to someone anymore and I was and am happy and proud in my gaijin status. Interesting to hear that white has lost it's deathly pallor though, one does see Japanese brides in white all the time but I didn't know that had spread to other items of clothing. Well, except that noone ever said that white golf shirts are bad.

What is the translation of 'gaikokujin'?

[Kilt_Em_All]

What is the translation of 'gaikokujin'?

gaikokujin literally translates to "foreign country person." Personally, I don't go in for the whole PC thing myself, so I sometimes refer to myself as hakujin or "white person", which is every bit as "offensive", if not more so than gaijin.

-Elliott

[Lallans]

gaikokujin literally translates to "foreign country person." Personally, I don't go in for the whole PC thing myself, so I sometimes refer to myself as hakujin or "white person", which is every bit as "offensive", if not more so than gaijin.

-Elliott

White person = 'white ghost' to my Chinese neighbours, another unhappy reference to death etc. I say we all just bash each other the odd time and all stay friends, as friends do. But I'm afraid I'm not fashionable in that regard.

[azwildcat96]

What is the translation of 'gaikokujin'?

foreign-country person...

Never mind, you guys beat me to it.

[CDNSushi]

Yup...

Anyway, everyone is free to refer to themselves or others as they please... However, some of my friends really are touchy with that word. They feel it is like the word "n*gger." And yes, just like there are debates among African-Americans whether it's OK to refer to each other using the word, the very same debate rages on among ex-pats living in Japan.

In terms of PC-ness... Japanese television *bleeps* out the word "gaijin" just like N. American TV bleeps out certain offensive words... So it's not just a small handful of people who feel that way.

Basically, the difference between "gaijin" and "gaikokujin" is the "koku" in the middle of the word. If you write it out in kanji (Chinese characters), the first character means "outside" (the same one you would use to tell your kids to go outside to play). The middle character means "country" and the last character "jin" means person or human being. So put them all together and you get "outside-country-person." However "gaijin" isn't merely a contraction (like don't = do not)... The etymology is different. When you use only the two characters "outside-person" the implied meaning is a person who is not a part of an "in" group. Japanese society is made up of "in groups" and "out groups." It's a very binary system. Either you are one or the other, but you cannot be neither nor both. Thus, an "outside person" or "outsider" can literally be anyone -- not necessarily a non-Japanese... I could technically call someone who is not in my family, or someone from another prefecture as an outsider, even though it's not commonly done (at least not anymore). The offensiveness stems from the Japanese custom of trying to be polite and as welcoming as possible, but saying to someone: "Hey, outsider!" is generally not the way to do it. Personally, I don't like to refer to people by what they are not. It would be akin to me referring to everyone in the world as "non-Canadian." It's weird. I also don't go around assuming that just because someone looks (or doesn't look) or speaks a certain way, that they must not be Canadian. I know the U.S. is a bit different in this regard, but I grew up virtually not knowing (and never even having to use) the word "alien."

I know there is an anti-PC movement... Probably because sometimes the PC-minded people go a bit overboard, so there must be a counter-revolution too. But the way I look at it is this. If I KNOW that a certain term/behavior/appearance MAY be offensive to someone, I try to err on the side of caution. One of my favourite Bible verses is this: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18)

Anyway, I'm not trying to single anyone out or anything... Just something to think about is all. I'm all geared up and ready for the ceremony. For those who haven't realized it yet, the votes are in and everyone overwhelming chose the kilt outfit. That is what I am wearing... Pix will follow hopefully.

Cheers everyone, and thanks for all the good, helpful advice and encouragement.

Jim

[Kilt_Em_All]

I'm sure the procedings are well under way at this point. I hope that kilt is well received. Please tell your students "卒業 おめでとう！" for me (and I'm guessing the rest of the forum members as well, but I can't speak for them). Let us know how it went, and post some pics when you get the chance.

-Elliott

[CDNSushi]

Okay, gang. Piccies are up! I posted them in the Photos section of the forum. Hotlinky here:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-2010-a-57588/

[Lallans]

Handsome photos and I do like the white tie effect- I notice that the principal was not however wearing one. Off topic question: I've been assuming that the CDD part of your user name meant 'Canadian' however have caught hints that is not the case. So what is the CDN reference?
I'm paid to be curious and it spills over ith: .

[CDNSushi]

True. But you'll also notice that he's wearing tails. Very often white tie and tails are not worn together (at least not here) -- a dark, diagonally striped tie like he's wearing is very appropriate also.

You'll also notice that the students don't generally wear white ties. The custom is for those who are celebrating the students to wear them, but for the students themselves to wear something a little different.

Also, different to some of the other celebratory ceremonies I've attended, no one was wearing white and red rosettes.

What makes you think I'm not Canadian?

[Lallans]

What makes you think I'm not Canadian?

Just something that went by in passing, don't even remember what it was. I was mostly wondering what else 'CDN' could stand for in that context.