The other day, I was talking to an American girl who’s teaching English in Japan and she mentioned the term, “gaijin bubble.” I had never heard of the term, but she explained it to me as a situation where native Japanese refuse to stand or sit near a foreigner (gaijin) on the train. I’ve never experienced this “gaijin bubble” before when by myself, but maybe I just didn’t notice it either. When there’s a group of foreigners, things can get loud, so I completely understand when Japanese look for a spot in the train away from the chatty and energetic foreigners.
If there is a “gaijin bubble” forming wherever you go, you may want to consider the message you’re sending to those around you through your body language. Here are a few questions to consider when riding the train:
- Are you sitting with your legs wide open and hogging more space than you need?
- Are you sitting with your legs crossed?
- Are you trying to claim your personal space with your body?
- Are you eating smelly food on the train?
- Are you talking loudly on the phone or with friends and family?
There are some things we can’t always control, such as how Japanese get nervous around westerners because they’re worried we’ll speak English to them, or how our outgoing personalities and larger presence can be intimidating to some.
Being of a smaller build with a shy personality, I’ve tended to blend in well with the Japanese culture growing up, but there are moments when my Japanese friends gently remind me of the importance of being conscious of my surroundings. I do get animated and expressive when with close friends, which can lead to embarrassing moments such as knocking over a box of fish flakes all over the floor of a restaurant. You don’t have to completely conform to the Japanese way if you’re not comfortable or interested, but it can be a kind and respectful gesture to the Japanese if we can be a little more self aware about our surroundings, especially when in confined public places.
We can sure learn more about grace and self awareness from the Japanese culture.
