Misconceptions and misconceptions often spread like water. Sometimes people have an experience and spread it around, thus causing people to believe and have misconceptions about a certain subject.
Because of these rumors, Brazilians have an idea that japoneses are cold and independent. I had a completely different view and experience on my trip to Japan in 2016. With my personal experience, of brasileiros and even japoneses, and after many researches, I wrote this article to discuss the subject.
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Why do people have this idea?
There are many reasons why people come to this conclusion that Japanese people are cold. Cultural differences, Japanese immigrants who live in Brazil, the influence of ancient Japan and many other factors.
One of the points that Brazilians use to say that the Japanese are cold is the lack of contact, that handshake and hugs that happen between Brazilians. But all this is a matter of respect and hygiene, Japanese who have a great friendship and intimacy feel the urge to touch each other.
Another thing that can lead you to think that the Japanese are cold is the lack of communication with unknown people. If you get on a train, hardly anyone will strike up a conversation with you. But this happens because nobody wants to make noise, or due to the great shyness that exists among the Japanese, especially if you are a foreigner, this ends up becoming a greater difficulty for them to communicate.
Of course, there are some scenes in Japan and even with immigrants and descendants living in Brazil. This ends up making people have this idea that Japanese people are cold. But all this is taken in a generalized way and ends up staining the name of the Japanese. What makes me even sadder is the fact that Brazilians say that Japanese people are cold, amidst so many horrible cases of coldness that happen within our country.
Of course there are cold Japanese people, just as there are cold Brazilian people. A big fact is that Japanese people are reserved, avoid contact with strangers, avoid interfering in others' lives, and especially do not want to bother others. Japanese people have a serious communication problem and difficulty socializing, but this most of the time is due to their shyness. This also results in the difficulty of expressing emotions and affection.
How are the Japanese?
The Japanese are the opposite of cold and independent. Do you know what a cold person is? A cold person has no feelings, does not cry, does not show pain, fear, anger, or sadness. Now watch a Dorama or Anime japanese to see how much crying and drama there is. Japanese people do their best to avoid letting their problems affect others, for this reason they avoid crying, complaining, and showing their feelings and weaknesses, but they have all of that, and when it bursts, you can see that Japanese people are quite the opposite of cold people.
I don't even need to comment much on the individuality of the japoneses, because the opposite is very visible. The japoneses are independent and try to solve their problems alone, but they always work in teams and do everything to help others. The povo japanese was raised with the aim of always thinking of others and not themselves.
The Japanese apply the “golden rule” or “ethics of reciprocity” where everyone should treat others as they would like to be treated themselves.
We cannot say that Japanese people are independent just because they keep their feelings and problems to themselves. In reality they always work as a team, teamwork is taken very seriously in Japan. People who want to be independent in Japan are frowned upon.
My experience with the Japanese
I also thought that Japan would have a somewhat cold climate, and I saw some signs of individuality and coldness. But I also saw a lot of the opposite, smiling people, chatting and laughing all the time. The education is amazing, I got tired of hearing sumimasen (sorry). All the time, sometimes the person didn't even touch me and apologized. Not to mention the service, people were very patient and served me with a smile on their faces.
I could feel the regional difference between Tokyo and Kansai. In Tokyo, no stranger spoke to me, but when I climbed a mountain in Kyoto, every Japanese person who passed by greeted me, with one even giving me a chocolate. Meanwhile, all the foreigners who passed by said absolutely nothing.
I also noticed a lot of public displays of affection. I saw Japanese people hugging, kissing, and always holding hands, the opposite of what people were saying. I had the opportunity to stay in the homes of several Japanese families and witnessed a wonderful environment, full of love and affection. I really didn't notice anything cold in Japan, everything was beautiful and warm. Of course, everyone has different experiences, but don't draw conclusions because of a few people.
And remember, I'm not saying that Japanese life is perfect and that everyone is happy and smiling. But I've noticed that there are many Japanese people who prefer to smile and forget about problems instead of looking cold and distant.
And now? Are Japanese cold?
The simple fact that Japanese people do not have much physical contact like holding hands or hugging does not indicate coldness. The fact that Japanese people keep their problems and feelings to themselves, or spend most of the time alone, does not demonstrate independence. Many Japanese people end up isolating themselves, and do not share their feelings and problems with others. This is a big problem that can end up resulting in suicides or depression.
But it's worth remembering that there will always be cold and independent people anywhere in the world, and there are quite a few. For this reason, never come to the conclusion that in one country people are colder than in others. Take into account their culture and education! And try to look at the beam in your own eye instead of looking at the speck in your brother's.
Before concluding that the Japanese are cold, try to rethink the concept of what it really means to be a cold person. I don't like making comparisons! But to say that Japan is a cold country because of the culture of being reserved and some reported cases, while our country has many more people without a speck of love, compassion, and respect for others, is a great hypocrisy!
In this way, the Japanese who do not like to talk or have physical contact, prefer to keep their feelings and problems, or have difficulties socializing, are not cold people but reserved. Cold people are those who do not care about others, who have no feelings, compassion or pity, who do not respect others. In other words, cold people are thieves, murderers, and poorly educated, which is the sad reality that dominates our dear Brazil.