When i first came to Japan in 2002 i experienced being ‘waved away’ from several restaurants due to language issues no doubt. It hasn’t happened in a long time and i think those times are well behind us, not everywhere from what it seems.
This restaurant in Tsukiji Fish Market had gone one step further until after a flood of complaints last week they now welcome foreigners to their restaurant. Now it’s just time to get accepted into the rest of these here.
Image courtesy of Arudou Debito
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
that’s kind of sad that they would have that sign, but after witnessing the behavior of some foreigners I can understand it.. oh well it’s good they took it down but hopefully some idiots don’t go ruining it all!
The train line I use often has American Air Force personnel use it as one of the stations is close to a base. Quite often I cringe and sign as they _often_ behave like complete fools on the train and give foreign looking people a bad name.
They are only here for their 1-3 year stint, I’m here for life and they are being bad visitors. Though I don’t say anything to them as they are usually bigger than me.
Knowing when to pick fights is a key strategy in keeping all your teeth.
Interesting… My impression of Japan is that it’s a protectionist country… but still, gaijins are revered because you’re a novelty…
Take a look at this post by Occidentalism. The sign is down and the owner explained that “it was a foreigner who speaks Japanese that suggested him to set the shop for Japanese people only hearing troubles he had.”
Four years in Japan and yes, I’m starting to understand why some Japanese feel bothered by our behavior: Japanese is a culture driven by manners, and western is a culture driven by individualism. It’s easy for both cultures to clash from time to time…
How very true ….. i can understand why they do aswell, on regular occasions i’m embarrassed by the behaviour of foreigners.
japan just for japanese:) – is it really so bad? you have to learn japanese in order to buy a bread?
sucks but I am sure many foreigners make it bad for all of us
Indeed they do.
That’s not even economically sound. Why would you turn away customers who are perfectly willing to pay?
With the volume of people in Japan it’s pretty easy to pick your customers in many instances … also there’s a different approach to money here, less importance is attached to earning every dollar out there.
Yeah, it kinda sucks – however the first couple lines in the Japanese read something like this, regardless if you are Japanese – if you can’t comprehend and play by our rules you too are not allowed in -
hmmmm…
No biggie Neil, we both know how that goes. Just go with a really beautiful Japanese woman or some Japanese dudes and everything is ok. Foreigners go in there and can’t understand the menu. That makes things difficult for the staff and other customers waiting for their order.
If u can actually read the sign, u will realize the store demands a lot out of the customers…basically if u dont follow their rules, ur not welcomes. I dont think i would go, even as a Japanese. Its like going to table manners school!
foreigners are the guest of the country, so whenever any foreigner get the permission to enter any country by that govt, i think its a responsibility of the local people to welcome them as it’s a matter of reputation of the nation. ya there will be a chance to get a misbehave by the guest, but u cant ignore them.
Hi,
Imagine me, portuguese getting there (when they weren’t accepting but japanese). And I would start talking portuguese. I’m not obligated to know another language but mine, so the board message in english could be ignored by many people.
Kind regards,
José
If langauge issue is the reason why the restaurant only serve Japanese, I think it can be solved. They can use a menu in English and Japanese complete with the picture of the food and short explanation about the food in English. I think this can increase the restaurant income too…and avoid the foreigner from being hungry:)