I always enjoy meeting and hanging with my loyal readers whenever they visit Tokyo. The other day I had a chance to see Bloomzy in person. She is a 1-year exchange university student in Tokyo who is from the U.K. She is one of the readers of Tokyo Kawaii, etc. who sometimes leaves comments to my posts. From exchanges of comments or emails, I started to feel that Bloomzy was very easy to talk with. Although our age is very different, (yes I’m much older than she is) I totally enjoyed walking around Shibuya 109 with her the other day.
To be honest, I was unable to go back to Shibuya 109, maybe since I was 20 or something because I felt that was a place for much younger people, Gyaru or Gyaruo (=male version of Gyaru) or high school girls. I imagined myself feeling totally out of place, having nothing to purchase, being overwhelmed by Gyaru sales assistants and smallest size of pants I could never fit in.
Without Bloomzy, I would never encourage myself to go back there for the first time in…15 years!? When I was a high school girl, 109 was not that much Gyaru-tasted. In other words, Gyaru appeared when I became 20-something, I guess. But to my surprise, customers shopping at 109 were not always Gyaru type of girls. I saw many non-Gyaru type of girls and school girls without makeup! I was relieved. My imagination went so far as to think that I would not be treated well if I do not dress like Gyaru or something. ^ ^;
#1: I hear your major is Japanese, will you tell me why you chose it?
I knew that I would choose either a language (French or Japanese) or Photography for my major. But in the end it was the idea of being able to get a better job with Japanese as my degree and also the encouragment I received from my Uncle (who is a translator).
#2: How long have you been studying Japanese, and which part do you find most difficult so far?
I have been studying Japanese for almost 3 years now. At first I thought it was the grammar that was most diffcult, as it is so different from English. However I now feel that it is actually Kanji, as there are so many to learn and there can be various readings for each.
#3: Compared with the time you were a tourist to Tokyo, now do you feel any difference when start living in Tokyo?
I definitely feel that I understand the customs and culture of Japan slightly better. Before I felt like I was a tourist and that people could tell this, but now I feel like I fit in a little better. Obviously I will never fit in completely with Japanese society but I would like to try my best.
#4: Compared with your culture, how do you like or dislike Japanese one?
I am mostly intrigued (in a good way) with the culture, as it is so different to Britain’s. Of course there are some parts that I do not like but I was prepared for this as I knew there would be a certain amount of culture shock associated with moving to Japan.
#5: Tell me about your impression against Japanese people. Unlike western culture, we do not kiss or hug for greetings. We do not express our feelings so much. Many of us would hesitate to look at eyes directly. We do not say hi as casually as you do, for example we do not usually greet to strangers even if we happen to have an eye contact. How do you feel about things like these?
At first I was sad at the thought that I could not be intimate in this way – for example, my British friends and I often hug as a greeting and I wanted to be able to express myself this way with my Japanese friends. But then I realised that I was in a different culture and I would just have to learn to express myself in other ways – and now it doesn’t bother so much.
I also miss the interaction between strangers that happens in Britain but not here. In Japan, I feel that I would not be offered any help if I was in trouble or got lost etc.
I am also very aware of my eye contact when talking to a Japanese person. I can’t help but look at their eyes and when I realise this I wonder if I am making them uncomfortable. I often try to look at the nose of the person I am talking to (as I was taught by my Japanese tutor) but it is very difficult for me and I think it looks unnatural when I am trying to do so.
#6: Do you enjoy Japanese food? What do you like or dislike?
I love Japanese food and I really want to try a wide variety of foods whilst I am living here. The only thing I dislike is Sashimi – I actually enjoy the taste but not the texture.
As I mentioned to you, I also tried Unagi after reading your post and I loved it! I was surprised as I don’t think many people would try it back home, but I think it’s really tasty and would definitely recommend it!
#7: Do you miss your food? What kind of food or beverages do you think will hit in Japan if imported from the U.K, for example?
That’s a hard question, because so many of my Japanese friends have said they don’t like British food. That upsets me as I think we have a lot to offer and it’s not bad at all. I think that British chocolate, cakes and desserts in particular would be popular in Japan – I say this as most Japanese people seem to have a sweet tooth.
As for things I miss…decaffinated beverages. I can‘t drink caffeine and I have found it very hard to find ‘decafe’ items in stores – even some cafes.
#8: Do you learn how to cook Japanese food? Have you tried to make something yet?
I have tried to make simple things such as Omurice, Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki. I think I need to invest in a recipe book and try a little harder though.
#9: What kind of Japanese magazines or books do you like to read?
As you know, I am interested in Gal so I enjoy reading magazines centred on that fashion such as JELLY, Happie Nuts and Ageha. I especially like Japanese fashion magazines for their in-depth tutorials.
When it comes to books I enjoy ones based on the Japanese culture – I am currently reading ‘Japan Unmasked’ and ‘The Japanese Mind’. I also want to buy ‘100 Questions for Japanese people’ – the whole series seems really fun and interesting.
#10: What kind of Japanese music do you like to listen to?
I like a mixture of music but when it comes to Japanese music I prefer r’n’b, hip-hop, trance and electro. I am not a fan of Japanese girl/boybands though.
#11: I was very happy to hear that you’ve been a reader of Tokyo Kawaii, etc. blog for a long time. What kind of article do you think was helpful or informative or fun to you?
I really love the articles based on Japanese culture, as I find it very interesting to read them from a Japanese perspective – I think I can learn more this way.
I also enjoy the articles on what to eat, and where – but of course this is helpful to me as I also live in Tokyo.
#12: Please leave your message for the rest of readers! (Free talk)
I guess I would like to say something to people who are thinking of studying or living in Tokyo at some point; Tokyo is a great city, and even though it may seem like it has been Westernised it is still very much ‘Japanese’. There is so much to do here and everyday you learn something new, whether it’s about the language or culture.
There are many great universities/language schools to study at. I would highly recommened studying in a Japanese university if you can as you can integrate with Japanese students, make friends and practise your language everyday; also there are many opportunities with fieldtrips etc. that you may not experience in a language school – and it is also easier to arrange an exchanged program with the university in your home country.
However I think both places would be very helpful and worthwhile to those who want to live in Tokyo and study at the same time.
P.S. I really enjoyed meeting with Kirin and I think she is a lovely person. She is so enthusiastic about her blog and I know she wants to try her best for her readers.
Thank you!
===end of the interview===
Wow~ Thank you Bloomzy for sharing your thoughts with us! 
I remember the time I went to a university in the U.S for 1 year with exchange program, just like she does now. Culture can be learned from anime or TV dramas but the best thing is to live in the country. I’m sure Bloomzy faces so many different things from her own culture. I came up with #5 interview question from my own experiences. I was shocked to be pointed out why I didn’t look at their eyes when I spoke with the local people in the U.S at the early stage of my staying in the U.S. I guess I was very Japanese at that time who carried Japanese way unconsciously. Now I think I can look at people’s eyes directly when I talk to them. ^ ^;
At the same time I liked people smiled and said hi each other even if we were complete strangers in some countries such as the U.S. I miss we don’t do this in Japan. Well, to be exact, I may have to say “in Tokyo” because I think people in Tokyo are most indifferent to others compared with any other areas in Japan. (People are a lot more friendly in Osaka!) In Tokyo, I feel very awkward when I have an eye contact with someone I don’t know but I have to just ignore him because I know he will think I am very strange if I smile and say Konnichiwa! Same thing can be said at a shopping mall. Sales assistants would say “Irasshaimase” for welcome but usually customers are supposed to keep silence. If I answer her “Konnichiwa” or something, that would sound like a…old lady from good old days or countryside where people are more helpful and close each other.
Hugging is not very common even between close friends in Japan. It’s easily misunderstood but without kissing or hugging doesn’t always mean we are cruel who have no emotions or something. Our way of expressing emotions are not as apparent as that of western ways, for example. I have met many nice people who shared their feelings with hugging, kissing, repeating that they will miss me or they love me. But the truth is sometimes these apparent actions or words do not always mean as much as how those look or sound. After all, it’s possible I have no contacts from some of those who say they miss me with hugs and kisses and thousands of words, while I do from Japanese friends without hug or kiss who are never likely to say that they love me directly to me. (This is just one example, I don’t say all the people who kiss or hug and say “I love you” easily don’t mean it.)
I will talk to you in Japanese next time, Bloomzy! 
Ganbatte! for your Japanese study and please enjoy your life in Tokyo!!
Now please leave your comments or ask Bloomzy for more if you have a question!
Posted by: kirin on 
Mar 24th, 2011 | 
Filed under: Fashion, Tokyo Kawaii TV
Comments (31) 
Tags: 
