“An even-tempered love-hate relationship with the country.”

This country is great.

After a few years of living in Japan and getting used to the country, my friends and I had developed an even-tempered love-hate relationship with the country.

We no longer loved it. (Stage 1, “Japan is unique and wonderful,” which occurs shortly after stepping off the boat.)

It sucks.

And we no longer hated it.

(Stage 2, “Damn, this country is really screwed up,” which occurs after getting a hefty dose of reality, Japan-style.)

This stage usually begins a few months after arriving in Japan. It can last for years, but most foreigners manage to get through this stage after about a year of bitching, moaning, griping, cursing, and complaining.    _{(Image source)}

Hmmm, maybe it’s not so bad after all.

We had passed through the above 2 stages, we had learned to speak the language, and we generally looked at the country with bemused interest.    

Those who reach this stage can have a decent, rewarding, and comfortable life in Japan. But for those who do not make it to this stage, their Japan experience will continue to suck, in many ways. (See #2)    _{(Image source)}

   Introduction to – “Notes from Under the Tatami Mats”  _{(right-click on title)}

Top 3 Appropriate Nicknames for Japan

Top 5 Ridiculous Comments by Japanese about the Outside World

Top 3 Ridiculous Questions by Friends Back Home

Top 3 Exceedingly Overused Japanese Words

... and more

Links to my Other Series …

      Introduction – "Intro to Vocab-ability"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Guide – "Guide to Entries"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Index– "Index" to all Chapters and Sections   _{(right-click on title)}

      Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"   _{(right-click on title)}

_{Images sourced from Google Images, unless otherwise indicated or unless my own.}