My Impenetrable Bubble

Living in Japan is decidedly different than living in America. The people in Japan are, more often than not, incredibly nice people. Yet, seeing as it is a very homogenous culture, foreigners tend to stick out like manga without underlying sexual tension. I've noticed that in America people tend to be set to the same standards no matter what race, class or creed. Here in Japan, that is not the case.
I fully believe that I could stroll into a convenience store only to casually relieve myself in frozen foods section, and get away with it. The standard to which a foreigner's behavior is tolerated would equate to about the strictness we would have with a rabid, 3 legged wolf. And from this view comes what I like to call "The Gaijin Forcefield." Gaijin, is a less than kind Japanese word meaning foreigner, and I think it fits prefectly into the name. I have this forcefield around me whenever I go out solely by the merits of my nationality. I love it.
The larger the group of foreigners the more impenetrable this bubble becomes. Late last night, while coming back on the train from the city, we had a group of about 10 rowdy kids. I'm pretty sure anywhere in America we would have been drawn and quartered for our loud behavior, but here in thePan we received nothing more than a couple of amused looks and low mumblings. It was an excellent time.
I hope you enjoyed this small, but important part of my life and stay tuned for more in the near future.