{"id":11514,"date":"2016-01-06T06:52:05","date_gmt":"2016-01-06T14:52:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/?p=11514"},"modified":"2016-01-11T12:04:05","modified_gmt":"2016-01-11T20:04:05","slug":"the-functional-traveller-the-best-of-both-worlds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/2016\/01\/06\/the-functional-traveller-the-best-of-both-worlds\/","title":{"rendered":"The Functional Traveller<\/em>: The best of both worlds"},"content":{"rendered":"

Individuality is definitely a factor in Japanese culture. It\u2019s expressed in the confines of a group an individual associates with, contributing to a subculture community.<\/p>\n

However, there are certain boundaries limiting what is socially acceptable \u201cself-definition.\u201d<\/p>\n

First, one must be Japanese. As a largely homogeneous culture, you must first fit inside the box before you move to its edges; simply put, being obviously foreign puts you far outside that.<\/p>\n

A prime example is the rising popularity of tattoos. In Japan, having tattoos prevents you from engaging in a variety of activities. Although it is true that more young people have tattoos in Japan these days, it\u2019s hardly on the scale and level as it is in North America.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Functional Traveller<\/em> is an ongoing column in Nexus<\/em> (photo by Sera Down\/Nexus<\/em>).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While your average North American 15-year-old can walk into a tattoo parlour without a second glance, in Japan these are mostly individuals considered on the extreme edge of alternative culture, as it severely limits their choice of work, leisure, and even accommodation.<\/p>\n

Employers, hot springs, gyms, and apartment managers can, and regularly do, turn individuals who have tattoos away, as they are seen as dirty and a sign of gang affiliation.<\/p>\n

Even foreigners (who aren\u2019t necessarily affiliated with such things) with tattoos are refused service at establishments. At best, they\u2019ll receive stares and bewildered comments; at worst, they\u2019ll be asked to leave the establishment in question.<\/p>\n

Foreigners must subscribe totally to Japanese culture and assimilate as much as possible before being allowed leeway in appearance. Once a person has subscribed to social norms, many more opportunities are open to them.<\/p>\n

This is much different from Victoria, where hipster subculture thrives and the more diverse and unusual your skill set, interests, and appearance are, the more sought after you are.<\/p>\n

By no means do I resent Japan for these social rules. In fact, there is merit: many people seek other avenues for creative expression, such as music, drawing, and dance, making for a society with high regard for the arts.<\/p>\n

I only hope with greater exchange with Western cultures, Japan can introduce physical diversity into its culture, and, in return, provide us with a greater appreciation for self expression beyond appearances.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Individuality is definitely a factor in Japanese culture. It\u2019s expressed in the confines of a group an individual associates with, contributing to a subculture community. However, there are certain boundaries limiting what is socially acceptable \u201cself-definition.\u201d First, one must be Japanese. As a largely homogeneous culture, you must first fit inside the box before you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10960,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,157],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11514","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-columns","category-january-6-2016"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t