Something that's been bothering me

Well, my first week to Japan has come to a close. The jet lag has gotten infinitely better (although I'm still falling asleep at 8pm....but hopefully moving out in town will stop this) and I've ventured out into Japan (aka off base) many times. I've also taken a lot of the military courses on living in Japan.

One thing that's been bothering me is that the US military has taken this stance that we (Americans) are all going to be tourists in Japan for the ENTIRE time we are here. So, this brings up three issues: 1) They assume we will never speak the language, 2) We will never be able to read the language, and 3) We will never understand the culture. To make it worse, they assume that most of us in those introduction classes will never even try to understand these items.....so they make comments like, "Since you won't know what the police officer is saying to you, just be polite..." and "Since you won't be able to read your ticket..." or "You'll probably never understand the driving culture here...."

I even had one person tell me not to buy a round trip ticket on the train because I wouldn't be able to understand which ticket was used for getting to the destination and which one is used to come back. Even if I DON'T know, it's all about trial and error and making mistakes and learning. So, I bought a round trip ticket out of spite and managed just fine.

Nothing makes me simultaneously angry and determined as being told I'm too stupid, lazy, or unwilling to do something. John and I are here for a minimum of three years. Already in this first week we LOVE it here, so there's a chance we may stay here for a long time. I don't intend to be a wide-eyed tourist the whole time I'm here. I mean sure that stuff is great, but I am now more determined than ever to learn the written and spoken language and to understand to the best of my ability the culture.

You can take oodles of classes, but the only way you're really going to understand it all is to practice, learn, and immerse yourself.....making mistakes is a good thing because then you remember for next time.

Anyway, it just bothers me. Sure some people stationed here are here for two years and then they jet on over to the US as fast as they can.....but I hope that's not John and I...