First, we talked and saw many international weddings and compared them with Japan. Please answer the following questions in your blog:Since Japanese weddings are expensive, do you think having a massive wedding like Korea or UAE is a good idea? Eloping? Having it in a foreign location like Hawaii?What is your ideal wedding? What would you definitely do or wear or go to on that big day? Why is that important?
I want to hold wedding ceremony in grand style. Because, I've thought that wedding is supposed to cost very much. It's natural for me to need money to hold wedding. Because it's wedding!! very big event!!
I think that eloping is not so good. In my opinion, people should marry as everybody agrees with that marriage. At least, I want to get marry with the man who would be admitted by my parents. In the case if family member don't agree with the marriage, they shouldn't marry. Because family is very important. It's too hard to live without help of family.
I long for having it in a foreign location like Hawaii a little. I think it would be wonderful, but I won't do that. Because I want to be celebrated by many people who I know well and want to say thankfulness to them. So, I want to hold my wedding in my hometown and want to invite many people. It's my ideal wedding.
I definitely wear traditional folk costumes and white dress that is now usual practice in Japan. I want to go to the place that is romantic and has beautiful view or something that makes us be with atmosphere, because these are one of the few occasions in our lives. So, it is very important for me.
2007年12月6日木曜日
SUPERSTITIONS
We talked about many superstitions in many countries, but do you think it is important to talk about them? Why?Is communication affected by superstitions?Do you believe in Japanese superstitions? If so, what superstitions, what do they mean and why do you do,use, or believe in them?
I think it is important to talk about superstitions because most superstitions have some meanings in them and have reasons why they were made. Of course, there are the superstitions like for just good luck. But I found out that people use superstitions, having some decent significances such as the superstitions as a way to educate children. That's good way to persuade them, I think.
I guess communication is affected by superstitions. The reason why people distinguish their ways of speaking or tones of voice when they communicate is at least related on some superstitions. For instance, people lower their volumes and tones of voice when they are in the place where they think they have to behave well like religious place.
I barely believe in Japanese superstitions. For example, I cut my nails at night. I, however, hide my thumbs when I see a hearse. I creatively use superstitions depending on whether I view the superstitions as credible or not. I also do that because of luck. Although I don't believe in that, I sometimes do the superstitions; I will be glad to have 10 Peco-chan on my parcel paper. Superstitions are one of little threats, and are also one of amusements in my life.
I think it is important to talk about superstitions because most superstitions have some meanings in them and have reasons why they were made. Of course, there are the superstitions like for just good luck. But I found out that people use superstitions, having some decent significances such as the superstitions as a way to educate children. That's good way to persuade them, I think.
I guess communication is affected by superstitions. The reason why people distinguish their ways of speaking or tones of voice when they communicate is at least related on some superstitions. For instance, people lower their volumes and tones of voice when they are in the place where they think they have to behave well like religious place.
I barely believe in Japanese superstitions. For example, I cut my nails at night. I, however, hide my thumbs when I see a hearse. I creatively use superstitions depending on whether I view the superstitions as credible or not. I also do that because of luck. Although I don't believe in that, I sometimes do the superstitions; I will be glad to have 10 Peco-chan on my parcel paper. Superstitions are one of little threats, and are also one of amusements in my life.
2007年11月22日木曜日
HOMEWORK#4
Today we talked about time in different societies and the English words associated with them. For homework, answer the following question:The English language has many proverbs and sayings about time.
1. Time is money.
2.A stitch in time saves nine.
3.There's no time like the present.
4. Fashionable late.
Please explain what you think are the meanings of each of the 4 expressions.
1. Time is money.
I think this proverb means that time is as important as money. It says that we shouldn't waste time because time is valuable as same as money.
2. A stitch in time saves nine.
I think it means that we won't have to do something if we do that on ahead. It says be diligently, or solve the matter before that will be a big problem.
3. There's no time like the present.
I guess this proverb is used when someone hurry others. People say this proverb in the case they think the moment is best chance because time doesn't wait for people; it passes nonstop.
4. Fashionable late.
When people are invited from someone to a party, they should be late a little bit. I've heard that people in the US never reach the place where the party would be held ahead of time. They think that to be early in the party is rude. I guess that's "fashionable late".
1. Time is money.
2.A stitch in time saves nine.
3.There's no time like the present.
4. Fashionable late.
Please explain what you think are the meanings of each of the 4 expressions.
1. Time is money.
I think this proverb means that time is as important as money. It says that we shouldn't waste time because time is valuable as same as money.
2. A stitch in time saves nine.
I think it means that we won't have to do something if we do that on ahead. It says be diligently, or solve the matter before that will be a big problem.
3. There's no time like the present.
I guess this proverb is used when someone hurry others. People say this proverb in the case they think the moment is best chance because time doesn't wait for people; it passes nonstop.
4. Fashionable late.
When people are invited from someone to a party, they should be late a little bit. I've heard that people in the US never reach the place where the party would be held ahead of time. They think that to be early in the party is rude. I guess that's "fashionable late".
2007年11月7日水曜日
HOMEWORK#3
Today we discussed the language of clothes. After listening to the lecture and the meaning of colors in clothing, answer the following questions:
1. Do you judge people according to what they wear? Why?
I think to judge people according to what they wear is not right. Almost all people try not to judge others according to clothes of them. But unfortunately, I think we have the several prejudices about the people who are out at the heels. That's because people judge others by first impression. Clothes have big influence to the impression. Although I try not to have such a wrong thinking, not to have the bias is not so easy.
2 Do you think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country?
I don't think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging foreigners. Almost all Japanese don't know about foreigners very well such as what they wear, what they eat and how they feel. There are so many questions about who aren't Japanese in Japan. In my opinion, Japanese should wonder it's natural for the foreigners, because they meet the people from other countries for the first time. Since Japanese see the foreigners on the presupposition that foreigners should not the same as Japanese, Japanese don't judge foreigners by what they wear.
3. What colors are you wearing now? Do they reflect your mood?
Now, I'm wearing a pink sweater and black pants. I don't think these clothes reflects my mood. That's because I'm wearing them as just housewares. But when I put on the wearings in the morning, I choose the clothes according to the feeling at the time. For example, I'd pick up the bright color if it was fine outside, or if I was in the cheerful feeling. On the other hand, I would choose the dark or plain color when I want to make the day serious or chic. In that sense, I think wearings reflects my mood.
Next week we will discuss friends, please prepare by answering the following questions:
1. What are some subjects that you will never discuss with a friend?
I always care what others think about me. This has relations with that we discussed at the topic of Wrapping. Although I tend to be claimable, I'm afraid of how others think about me at bottom. So, I try to select the topic according to the conversation partner. When I talk to the friends whom I don't open up so much to, I don't discuss serious problem that's related on my personal opinion. After I get the certainty that he or she is reliable, I'll start to expose what I really feel.
Therefore, I have some topics what I can share with particular people. But I also have the subjects that I will never discuss with any friends. That is, for example, the domestic problem such as serious financial matter that I don't want any friends to know.
2. Do you have different friends for different parts of your life? If so, how are they different to you? Do you talk about different things? Go to different places? Give me some examples.
I have different friends for different parts of my life. As I said at the above, I have particular friends who can trust enough to talk about my really personal problems. I always creatively use the topic according to the partner. There are many people who have their own unique characters. Some are very cheerful. Some are serious. If I talked about serious matter, I would prefer the friends who has a serious personality. On the other hand, in the case when I talk about something interesting, I'd like to discuss with cheerful friends. Of course, I have the friends whom I discuss any topics with. Therefore, I choose the friends to talk to case by case.
1. Do you judge people according to what they wear? Why?
I think to judge people according to what they wear is not right. Almost all people try not to judge others according to clothes of them. But unfortunately, I think we have the several prejudices about the people who are out at the heels. That's because people judge others by first impression. Clothes have big influence to the impression. Although I try not to have such a wrong thinking, not to have the bias is not so easy.
2 Do you think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country?
I don't think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging foreigners. Almost all Japanese don't know about foreigners very well such as what they wear, what they eat and how they feel. There are so many questions about who aren't Japanese in Japan. In my opinion, Japanese should wonder it's natural for the foreigners, because they meet the people from other countries for the first time. Since Japanese see the foreigners on the presupposition that foreigners should not the same as Japanese, Japanese don't judge foreigners by what they wear.
3. What colors are you wearing now? Do they reflect your mood?
Now, I'm wearing a pink sweater and black pants. I don't think these clothes reflects my mood. That's because I'm wearing them as just housewares. But when I put on the wearings in the morning, I choose the clothes according to the feeling at the time. For example, I'd pick up the bright color if it was fine outside, or if I was in the cheerful feeling. On the other hand, I would choose the dark or plain color when I want to make the day serious or chic. In that sense, I think wearings reflects my mood.
Next week we will discuss friends, please prepare by answering the following questions:
1. What are some subjects that you will never discuss with a friend?
I always care what others think about me. This has relations with that we discussed at the topic of Wrapping. Although I tend to be claimable, I'm afraid of how others think about me at bottom. So, I try to select the topic according to the conversation partner. When I talk to the friends whom I don't open up so much to, I don't discuss serious problem that's related on my personal opinion. After I get the certainty that he or she is reliable, I'll start to expose what I really feel.
Therefore, I have some topics what I can share with particular people. But I also have the subjects that I will never discuss with any friends. That is, for example, the domestic problem such as serious financial matter that I don't want any friends to know.
2. Do you have different friends for different parts of your life? If so, how are they different to you? Do you talk about different things? Go to different places? Give me some examples.
I have different friends for different parts of my life. As I said at the above, I have particular friends who can trust enough to talk about my really personal problems. I always creatively use the topic according to the partner. There are many people who have their own unique characters. Some are very cheerful. Some are serious. If I talked about serious matter, I would prefer the friends who has a serious personality. On the other hand, in the case when I talk about something interesting, I'd like to discuss with cheerful friends. Of course, I have the friends whom I discuss any topics with. Therefore, I choose the friends to talk to case by case.
2007年11月6日火曜日
HOMEWORK#2
1.Death and Funerals:
a. Do you have any international friends or a host family? If so, how would you express your condolences to them if a family member died? If not, then how would you express condolences to an American host family if their Grandmother died?
I have several friends in other countries. I'm not sure what I should do when my friend's family die. Actually, when the mother of one of my classmates died, I couldn't do anything and also couldn't say anything for her. She wanted us, other classmates not to say our condolences to her about her mother's death. In my opinion, the most important thing is the feeling of the people who lost their family. We have to change the way to express our condolences case by case.
b. Have you ever been to a foreign funeral?
I've been to funerals just two times before. One was my maternal grandfather's. Another was my paternal grandmother. Both funerals were in the style of my own country. So, I never been to a foreign funeral.
2. The language of Clothes (preparation for next weeks topic):
a.Why are Japanese designer label crazy? Why is what you wear so important?
Nowadays the number of Japanese wearing branded things such as handbag is increasing. Even the high school students have Louis Vuitton handbags. There are many people who try to show their good qualities to others. Japanese tend to express their strength through their appearances. I think what people wear is important both for one selves and for others because this idea is common now in Japan.
b.What does “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” mean to you?
In my opinion, the 'book' implies the content. At the same time, the 'cover' indicates the physical appearance. I agree with this idea, which means we have to judge the person after we get to know the person well. But to wear proper things is perceived as a matter of common knowledge. For example, when people do job hunting, they give care to their own clothes. The appropriate suit for job searching is in good order. Therefor, people mustn't judge the person by just the appearance, but people have to know that judging by costume is the common practice.
a. Do you have any international friends or a host family? If so, how would you express your condolences to them if a family member died? If not, then how would you express condolences to an American host family if their Grandmother died?
I have several friends in other countries. I'm not sure what I should do when my friend's family die. Actually, when the mother of one of my classmates died, I couldn't do anything and also couldn't say anything for her. She wanted us, other classmates not to say our condolences to her about her mother's death. In my opinion, the most important thing is the feeling of the people who lost their family. We have to change the way to express our condolences case by case.
b. Have you ever been to a foreign funeral?
I've been to funerals just two times before. One was my maternal grandfather's. Another was my paternal grandmother. Both funerals were in the style of my own country. So, I never been to a foreign funeral.
2. The language of Clothes (preparation for next weeks topic):
a.Why are Japanese designer label crazy? Why is what you wear so important?
Nowadays the number of Japanese wearing branded things such as handbag is increasing. Even the high school students have Louis Vuitton handbags. There are many people who try to show their good qualities to others. Japanese tend to express their strength through their appearances. I think what people wear is important both for one selves and for others because this idea is common now in Japan.
b.What does “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” mean to you?
In my opinion, the 'book' implies the content. At the same time, the 'cover' indicates the physical appearance. I agree with this idea, which means we have to judge the person after we get to know the person well. But to wear proper things is perceived as a matter of common knowledge. For example, when people do job hunting, they give care to their own clothes. The appropriate suit for job searching is in good order. Therefor, people mustn't judge the person by just the appearance, but people have to know that judging by costume is the common practice.
2007年11月1日木曜日
HOMEWORK#1
1. Reflecting about today's class:Today we discussed the Japanese concept of "wrapping". Do you agree with the web site's description?What do you do that can be called "wrapping"? Give examples and reasons for your actions.
I agree with the opinion on the web site we saw at the class. Actually, almost all Japanese have the habit that can be called "wrapping".
Tatemae and Honnne, that is to say, public and private are separated in Japan. Tatemae is one of "wrappings". It comes from the virtue that Japanese culture has. People perceive "wrapping" as virtue.
For instance, Japanese try to intimate when they offer something or say some bad things or recommend something, but make a strong statement. Japanese is not good at saying straightly. They always concern how others think about them. This sense affects even the manner of speaking. I always use the phrase ~kamo or ~nai? when I want someone to make a change to another side, inspite of my certainty that the another side is better. I never tell someone he or she must change his or her mind.
2. Preparation for the next class "Death and Funerals" Answer these questions in your blog;
a. Where do you go when you die?
I'm not sure where I'll go when I die. It's said that people go to the heaven or the hell after they died, but this saying is without credibility. Nobody knows where dead men went, because dead men can't tell living people where they are. However, I just want to trust that people who did right thing while they were alive will go to the heaven. That's because I hope that I can be rewarded someday.
b. Explain why do Japanese have death memorial services 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, 7 years, etc. after a person's death?
The reason why Japanese have death memorial services is from Buddhism of India. There is the idea of transmigration, samsara in India. But now, Japanese have the services as customary. I think almost all Japanese don't know why the services are held. It became one of some events. Japanese just greet ancestors at the seremony.
I agree with the opinion on the web site we saw at the class. Actually, almost all Japanese have the habit that can be called "wrapping".
Tatemae and Honnne, that is to say, public and private are separated in Japan. Tatemae is one of "wrappings". It comes from the virtue that Japanese culture has. People perceive "wrapping" as virtue.
For instance, Japanese try to intimate when they offer something or say some bad things or recommend something, but make a strong statement. Japanese is not good at saying straightly. They always concern how others think about them. This sense affects even the manner of speaking. I always use the phrase ~kamo or ~nai? when I want someone to make a change to another side, inspite of my certainty that the another side is better. I never tell someone he or she must change his or her mind.
2. Preparation for the next class "Death and Funerals" Answer these questions in your blog;
a. Where do you go when you die?
I'm not sure where I'll go when I die. It's said that people go to the heaven or the hell after they died, but this saying is without credibility. Nobody knows where dead men went, because dead men can't tell living people where they are. However, I just want to trust that people who did right thing while they were alive will go to the heaven. That's because I hope that I can be rewarded someday.
b. Explain why do Japanese have death memorial services 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, 7 years, etc. after a person's death?
The reason why Japanese have death memorial services is from Buddhism of India. There is the idea of transmigration, samsara in India. But now, Japanese have the services as customary. I think almost all Japanese don't know why the services are held. It became one of some events. Japanese just greet ancestors at the seremony.
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