I spy, Japanese style
I spied this little guy spying me on a bus in Kyoto. I don’t think he had ever seen a gaijin before and, from the look on his face, I’m not sure he ever wanted to see one again.
Being in Japan as a 6’4″ light-haired foreigner is a unique experience. Adults tend to ignore your presence after an ever-so-brief glimpse, and the kids can’t take their eyes off you. You’re always the elephant in the room that can’t be ignored, yet everyone over the age of about 17 tries their darnedest to.
April 24th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
I had a very similar experience in El Salvador being 6’5″ and blond. The only difference was that sometimes even the adults wouldn’t be able to stop staring.
April 24th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
We 190cm plus guys in Japan do get noticed, don’t feel quite like an elephant though. I teach kindergarten out here and for the most part its just a total lack of exposure after a few lessons they will kancho you like any other teacher.
I still remember the first few times I saw Rastas in London as a kid, probably reacted similarly to this little guy, even though I lived in a mixed community they were just a little different. As a kid that interests you.
April 25th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
They think u must be a cosplay or anime characters.
March 13th, 2011 at 8:16 pm
Umm is it bad that it wouldn’t be hard for me to blend in with the crowd? What with my being under five foot and being brunette hell I think I’d stick out more for being short than being tall XP. Oh well.