Korea or Japan?...(Advice)?

Before I take a stab at ur question, I want to address racism/xenophobia bc it does exist, but not overt. They r both homogenous countries & it's a blurry line between xenophobia & racism. A Yahoo question was posted by Kate regarding “why is cultural heritage so important when it just encourages xenophobia?" Plse refer to my response as I detailed racism in Japan.

1) Either one is about the same, not one better or worse in my opinion. However, I have known a few ppl who claimed they liked Japan better, especially regarding interracial dating. Korea is heavily Confucius- Christian & I believe that’s why some may find it difficult to date (Ie. Mother wants sons/daughters to marry a Korean girl/boy). However, those r based on personal experiences & their assumptions therefore r subjective. With Asian culture, meeting a significant other is mostly done through arrangement by family or friends.

What I liked about Korea, was they had “booking” at club/lounges. Jpn does group dating. So u would need to make friends to experience this. Look into this as its diff than what u think it is. There is also “pick up dates” where a guy literally just walks up & asks u out (but that’s mostly w other Japanese, not foreigners. Not the best way to meet someone, & usually implies a quick hookup at a nearby love hotel)

I personally did not have issues. Then again, I wasn’t actively looking for a relationship & didn’t club often. I participated in a lot of activities & community stuff. Made contact w older women in my community & would often talk stories, practice language, watch dramas, go to lunch or volunteer help. I would say about 90% tried to fix be up w their sons, grandsons, or friend's sons. I found it hilarious. I mean, I wasn't befriending them to fix me up.

Guys in Asia do not approach girls the way they do in the US, so that's why it is best to make contacts.

But that doesn’t mean they r not interested or too "shy". Trust me-Guys r guys, no mater their ethnicity or country.

2)

You are very young, so I would recommend u wait to visit Japan/Korea until u finish college. Then u can apply for EPIK (korea) or Jet (Japan) & teach eng. in either country. U can stay from 1 yr to 5, and will be paid and depending where u teach accommodations may b provided.

Otherwise, Japan & Korea r very expensive places to live.

3)

Korea: Hyehwa / Daehangno- One of the best places in Seoul to take a date, the ubiquitous coffeehouses and restaurants.

Japan: Excuse my profanity, but I just ‘fuc%ing’ love Osaka (bc their Kansai accents r AWESOME!). As a history major, I’m on a high over there. It is Kind of like country (Osaka) vs city (Tokyo) life. Tokyo has more to offer, but too many tourists hang out over there.

In Osaka I found ppl to be friendlier. Kobe, Kyoto and Nara are nearby. For social life in Osaka is a good, and less distance to travel. On negative side, Kansai is more of a man's world, so status of woman is not so high as in Kanto. Can be harder for foreign women in a company.

4) Guys, no matter where they are from may be interested in you or not. It depends on personal taste & cannot be attributed to include ALL Japanese or Korean. Everyone is diff.

Most ppl have interest in the exotic. It’s probably why u are interested in North East Asian men.

Interracial relationships are difficult, culturally and language wise. Yet I think it makes it more fun too.

With that said, parent approval in Asia is vital in a relationship. In many cases, women or men do not want to go against family wishes. After that, let chemistry work its magic & hormones unleashed. The rest is instinct.

7) No way to be fluent, without assimilation. Study kanji and hanja (if u know at lest 500 out of 2000, it will help.)

*DO NOT USE ANIME AS A MEANS TO SPEAK JAPANESE!!- JPN is a flat language, and anime r pitched high for entertainment & often omit honorifics.

8) As a gaijin in Japan or foreigner in Korea u are usually forgiven for committing “no-nos”. However, my suggestion is 1) take off ur shoes before entering any home, 2) never stick ur chopsticks in ur rice (refers to incense during funerals)

7) Lastly, my golden rule: If someone asks why r u in Japan or Korea do not SAY its bc u love anime, pop-music or Asian boys/girls! Its offensive & based on generalizations. Go there w an open mind.

One more thing, be prepared for places that specifically say “no foreigners allowed”. There is no law against racial discrimination. & sexual harassment in Japan is a joke.

11)

Again, mature w age, study & aim to try teaching English either w EPIK or JET. Then determine if you want to continue to stay once ur contract runs out. I

As a foreigner living in either place, you can do a lot of good & dispel stereotypes. However, one has to be mature & b willing to face challenges.

1) Which country is more welcoming to foreigners? (I am hispanic-american)

Japan in my opinion

2) Which country has more tourist spots?

Hard to say, Japan is slightly bigger. You should visit Panjunmon which is the border village between South and North Korea.

3) Which country is cheaper to visit?

depends on how long you want to go for and what you want to do.

4) What is the best city to go to when visiting Korea/Japan?

I only know Japan but Osaka, Tokyo Hiroshima and Kyoto are interesting.

Korea; pusan, Seoul, Kwangju.

5) Are Korean/Japanese men willing to date an hispanic american?

Only my opinion but Koreans tend to be more ethnocentric, fiercely nationalistic and date their own kind.

6) How much money should I consider bringing to Korea/Japan?

For one month in Japan about $US4000 plus airfare.

7) Before going to Korea/Japan should I learn to fluently speak their language?

It will take you 5 years to learn to speak Japanese well, and its easy to get around Japan without knowing the language as a tourist.

8) What things should/shouldn't I do when visiting Korea/Japan? (hand gestures, manners, tone of voice, eating habits)

9) What are good cheap foods I can buy when visiting Korea/Japan?

Osaka; takoyaki, okonomiyaki, sushi, sashimi. udon.

10) Would it be difficult for a foreigner to get a job in Korea/Japan?

Only if you have no degree and can not get a work visa.

11) Is it a good idea if a foreigner moved to Korea/Japan?

Hard to answer, depends on your career goals, what you want to do with your life. Living here you will be separated from friends, family, familiar language. work culture and some can only put up with that so long. You get out of the experience what you put into it. You will never become Japanese or Korean but it is possible to live a comfortable and rewarding life as an expat.

I answer for Japan. I do not know much about Korea.

1) Which country is more welcoming to foreigners? (I am hispanic-american)

Japan, obviously.

There are many Latin-American in Japan.

They are the son of Japanese immigrator in Brasil, Peru, Argentin.

We understand Spanish little.

2) Which country has more tourist spots?

Japan

3) Which country is cheaper to visit?

Korea

4) What is the best city to go to when visiting Korea/Japan?

My hometown, "Kyoto".

Kyoto is beggest historical city in Japan. Korea does not have big historical city.

5) Are Korean/Japanese men willing to date an hispanic american?

It depends on the boy and that hispanic girl.

6) How much money should I consider bringing to Korea/Japan?

Foregin tourist stays 3 days in Kyoto (average).

Foregin tourist spends money 850 USD in Kyoto include purchasing suvenir (average).

So, you spend 280 USD a day AT MOST.

Cheap Domi Hotel : 20 USD

Lunch : 8 USD

7) Before going to Korea/Japan should I learn to fluently speak their language?

Not nessesary.

There are many tourists who dont speak Japanese or English.

8) What things should/shouldn't I do when visiting Korea/Japan? (hand gestures, manners, tone of voice, eating habits)

There are many manner of eating in Japan.

I recommend you to learn when you visit Japan. It must be a valueable topic of visiting Japan.

9) What are good cheap foods I can buy when visiting Korea/Japan?

Ramen

Teishoku

10) Would it be difficult for a foreigner to get a job in Korea/Japan?

Not so difficult. You can work as English teacher in Japan.

11) Is it a good idea if a foreigner moved to Korea/Japan?

Good idea.