Statistically Speaking...

Every now and then, blogging seems to become more of a job, and less of a pastime (at which point, I immediately lose interest). But here is a new one...

This makes more sense if you have actually been to Japan recently, in a commercial area; but there are basically only four types of Japanese people (not including children, cause they really haven't developed their own self-image yet). There are:

-Girls that are actually guys
-Little girls that are actually women
-Business-men
-Old people.

That's it. The sense of what guys should look and dress like here is completely different from the states, and it's completely normal for certain guys to spend more time dressing and grooming themselves than some girls do. Also, carrying of man bags is completely normal and is almost expected. Guys fashion here is way more involved than in the states, and seems to be just as big of a market as womens fashion.

As far as women are actually concerned tho, the sense of what is desirable here is exactly the opposite in the states. Every little girl in the states wants to be older; she wants to mature and look like all the girls in the magazines, cause she thinks that is what is pretty. Which is why little girls try mommy's make up. In Japan, however, being young, and naiive is considered beautiful (part of the reason why every model over here looks like she's twelve). So you have adult women, who look and act like little girls, simply because the value system is different. "it's so kawaii!!!"

The Business-man category is just that. All Japanese students have very rigid dress codes in Jr. High, and High-school, so individuality is hard to pull off. During college, students actually have a chance to rebel a bit - dyeing their hair, and dressing how they like. As soon as job hunting time comes, it's back to uniformity. Since there is such a strong emphasis on community harmony and oneness within a group. You pretty much have a cookie-cutter business man type. They are not hard to pick out. They all have their full suit (usually gray or black) and the standard dress shoes and briefcase. Finding one with long hair is pretty rare, as well. The sad part of it is, getting a job, is pretty much just an outcome of whether or not the business feels you will be able to fit into their particular business community. So if you are different at all, it's going to be difficult to land that position you wanted. I hate the man!!! He's bringing people down even in Japan.

Lastly is old people. There's really no transition phase for women. It's just straight from little girl, to hunched over old lady. Businessmen, you can see aging, but they still look like businessmen right into retirement.

~LjD~