Comments on: The Gaijin Nod

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:42:06 +0000

I definitely did and received this when I first moved to Japan. It was an acknowledgment that you were both there for some reason – you’d both left a life behind to end up here, and you both sort of understood each other.
As my time there went on I stopped doing this and started getting resentful of any foreigner I saw – thinking to myself “why are you here?” It was completely irrational, but that’s just how it was. Just before I left Japan I kind of reverted back and went back to the nod.

By: Kristy

Kristy — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:37:58 +0000

Wow I couldn’t stop laughing because its true I would most likely do the nod when seeing someone else cause waving seems like you know them and its weird to be like “HI!!” to someone you never meet so I am pretty sure most people would do the nod without even realizing it unless they are in their own world

By: Gabriel

Gabriel — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 18:43:42 +0000

Wow, amazing this has a name and all. I went to Tokyo this summer, it was the first time I had ever traveled to a foreign country. Me being a latino and with darker skin, everytime I noticed another on the streets we would nod at the same time. I couldn’t stop laughing after thinking about it for a while. I thought it was great though.

Personally, I never did it or took it as something race-related or offending. I just felt compelled to do it.

By: Mystic Traveller

Mystic Traveller — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 02:53:47 +0000

It is a strange phenomenon, isn’t it? I must say, I do find it a dilemma, as I am a friendly fellow, but it just seems odd for me that I have to acknowledge every foreigner I happen to pass by; especially, now that so many foreigners have moved into my area.

I get a complex if one is approaching, whether to just brush by, or do the nod, which will either be greeted in like, ignored or I myself am being blanked out. It is a tough one.

By: Johan

Johan — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 05:02:04 +0000

Exactly! It definately won’t, and that’s why I actually do like the “nod” !

Sure, it can feel strange sometimes (i.e. the transvestite…..) but as you say, you can make new friends out of it too.

By: akazukinchan

akazukinchan — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 09:01:00 +0000

A couple times I honestly didn’t notice there was a “gaijin” standing in front of me. Too late for any kind of nod. I’m surprised to hear English and I’m at a lost for words. Probably seems like I need an English lesson. I think it’s a little unnatural to say “hi” to people who are in actuality complete strangers. However, it’s rude to avoid other foreigners like the plague. You might learn something new and improve your “Japan experience.” Would making new foreign friends really kill you?

By: Johan

Johan — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 07:33:12 +0000

That’s interesting. Seeing as I have no experience of being a “gaijin” in any country other than Japan, I cannot say if this kind of behavior is usual all around the world or not!

Would be great to hear from other people in similar situations.

By: RisingSunOfNihon

RisingSunOfNihon — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 19:02:56 +0000

Thats kinda funny… gaijin nod. I think I know what you are talking about. I was raised my whole childhood as gaijin so I never did the nod. some times I feel the need to do the nod to the Japanese that are in U.S. lol But they seem like they want to be left alone…