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I'm not entirely sure that the majority of people here actually live in Japan so much as are fans of some aspects of it's culture.

I'd recommend a guy named Azrael's editorials "I Am a Japanese School Teacher" editorials for a quick and dirty look at the things that might make you o.O while you're there but it seems to be down at the moment...

I'd recommend just being yourself, perhaps a little more courteous and polite than you are normally and respect the fact that while you may find aspects of their culture strange and bizarre, it doesn't quite mean that it's WRONG to them...

Unless you run across a vending machine that sells USED panties (true o.o) or an arcade game that simulates poking people in the butt with fingers put together of both hands (also true...scarily, look up "kancho" on Wikipedia).

Welcome to Unet and have a nice stay :)

good luck with your trip Paine101! Send our love to Hikaru-san if you meet her there!

btw nice looking siggy but i think its too big, better resize it, or lord snow will take it away.

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Sorry to break it to you, but there is nothing you can do to make yourself not look like an stupid american. You can learn the language, be versed in their poetry, you can play a teiko better than them, you can be respectful, but you will always be a 外人(gaijin). The japanese are very xenophobic. But I must admit, the younger people are less like that, but with old people...forget it. Now what you can do is not act like an *ss when you go to drink. You can be respectful, and you can be friendly. These things will earn you lots of friends in japan. Well the ones interested in gaijin. Well the major thing is not to rock the boat... Their culture frowns upon it... But If you are respectful, your time there should be enjoyable. But try to learn some japanese before you leave. Not every japanese person will know english, but a lot will, but just incase, learn some elementary japanese, just in case you run into someone who only knows japanese. Also get used to rice. Its not america...they eat rice with almost every meal. Try to make a friend in japan before you go. It will be so much easier!

Sorry if it came off as harsh at the start, but just telling you what I have learned and what I experienced. I spent 3 months there. But I talk to lots of americans who live in japan. direct your questions to gaijinpot.com, they are experts.

oooooooh i love ur siggy Gackt & hikki! x333333

Hey guys,
This summer, I'm going to be leaving the U.S to go to Japan and I need to know as much as possible so I don't look like an "American Idiot" to them. So...to those who are living in or know anything about Japan...can you help me?