Dating and Romance in Japan, how is it different from other countries?
Written by admin on April 6, 2009 – 1:01 pm -I know somewhat about Japanese culture and their social stigmas.
Anyway – How do men / women approach each other in Japan? How does one behave on a date? I know in American culture, women go for loud, somewhat offensive but witty and funny guys like moths to a flame. But I know that being rude is not smiled upon in Japan.
(or any culture for that matter, but U.S has exceptions)
What is considered a "Normal date"? What would be out of the ordinary?
Sex on the first date – is that a taboo?
Is there a "dating ritual" different from other cultures? (Quirky things etc)
Any answer would be great, add anything else if you have something to share – and no I'm not looking to get a date. I feel how people with different culture's dating rituals reflect on their inner selves, and reveals more about their culture than anything.
I'm not 100% sure but I think theres a lot more people who date friends of friends, coworkers, and other people they would otherwise know somehow. There are still those that meet at clubs but its the same kind of people that do that in America. Sex on the first date is probably less taboo than it is in the west but most people still probably won't want to do it and those who do it are the same kind of people who do it in the west (usually sleazy). If they are opposed to it, it isn't because of their religion so they are much less likely to cave in to temptation I think.
Anyone who thinks Japanese women are all 'innocent' is easily fooled by outward actions and lies. Men like it and that is what women are going for but that doesn't mean thats what they actually are.
There are alot of relationships that are more old-fashioned but like many other places, there are recently many more relationships based on at least partial equality.
Foreign guys often think they have a magical effect over Japanese women but this is usually due to their inability to tell attractive from not attractive outside of their own race (ex:fetish). There are however some girls who have an equally bad taste and strong interest for foreigners.
I hear a lot of foreign residents who are women in Japan who complain about not being able to find a guy. It's usually because they come on too strong and also due to many Japanese guys lacking of confidence (and sometimes lack of interest in what they aren't used to). Some come on too strong; most Japanese guys like that whole innocent little girl image, its whats popular on TV.
Oh and I'm not sure how much you can generalize this but it seems to me that its less normal to introduce your significant other to friends and family. Maybe a best friend is normal and obviously parents when it comes to marraige and stuff but don't expect to meet aquantinces or distant relatives unless your dating someone friendly for a long time.
Karaoke is very common for a date. Also fancy cafes and bars and clubs. I'm sure people do movies although I don't go to the movies so I wouldn't know.
And lots of Japanese probably have the same dating problems that people in the west have. People forget that Japan has more in common with the west than most of Asia does.
Posted in dating romance | 3 Comments »
By TokyoE on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
"I know in American culture, women go for loud, somewhat offensive but witty and funny guys like moths to a flame"
As an American myself, I would say there is a sterotype and totally not true for everyone.
Sex on first dates is a taboo in many cultures, including American culture, yes it is in Japanese culture too.
In the end it all really depends on the person's state of condition (too much too drink?) just like any clulture.
Normal date can be anything very similar to western culture, movie, go out drinking, theme park, dinner, walk in the park, its all the same in Japan.
How men meet women or vice versa, again its all the same, meet at work, school, by chance, at a bar, you name it its the same.
Sometimes in Japan there might be arranged group dates, or group blind dates, not too different form other cultures, again you have a friend, and he might arrange with another friend to meet other people. Not all too complicated.
In the end, there's no real major difference, also in the end it depends totally on each individual person.
References :
By e on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
I'm not 100% sure but I think theres a lot more people who date friends of friends, coworkers, and other people they would otherwise know somehow. There are still those that meet at clubs but its the same kind of people that do that in America. Sex on the first date is probably less taboo than it is in the west but most people still probably won't want to do it and those who do it are the same kind of people who do it in the west (usually sleazy). If they are opposed to it, it isn't because of their religion so they are much less likely to cave in to temptation I think.
Anyone who thinks Japanese women are all 'innocent' is easily fooled by outward actions and lies. Men like it and that is what women are going for but that doesn't mean thats what they actually are.
There are alot of relationships that are more old-fashioned but like many other places, there are recently many more relationships based on at least partial equality.
Foreign guys often think they have a magical effect over Japanese women but this is usually due to their inability to tell attractive from not attractive outside of their own race (ex:fetish). There are however some girls who have an equally bad taste and strong interest for foreigners.
I hear a lot of foreign residents who are women in Japan who complain about not being able to find a guy. It's usually because they come on too strong and also due to many Japanese guys lacking of confidence (and sometimes lack of interest in what they aren't used to). Some come on too strong; most Japanese guys like that whole innocent little girl image, its whats popular on TV.
Oh and I'm not sure how much you can generalize this but it seems to me that its less normal to introduce your significant other to friends and family. Maybe a best friend is normal and obviously parents when it comes to marraige and stuff but don't expect to meet aquantinces or distant relatives unless your dating someone friendly for a long time.
Karaoke is very common for a date. Also fancy cafes and bars and clubs. I'm sure people do movies although I don't go to the movies so I wouldn't know.
And lots of Japanese probably have the same dating problems that people in the west have. People forget that Japan has more in common with the west than most of Asia does.
References :
By bluemoonmemory on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
I think Sex on The First Date is usually too kinky except involved with money all over the world even in most of USA.
I also think you really know nothing about Japanese culture and the social stigmas anything.
Of course, there are many people and occasion so that you could see the right person what you can get laid instantly at the first time even in Japan but I don't think we can say it romance. Romance always takes time and cost to flare gloriously to remember.
Love is not just fun sports for Japanese, especially younger generation who are more conservative than decade ago.
References :