Would you buy a tshirt with the work Gaijin on it?

[Paddaman]

Pretty simple question I guess.

If you don't know what the word Gaijin means, I guess you would walk right past the stall.

Nevertheless, it is a Japanese word that means outsider or foreigner.

It was a word popularised, by the movie Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift.

It has a cool stigma attached to it in Japan, where foreigners often invoke much intrigue.
As well as a bad stigma, aka Baka na Gaijin, stupid foreigner.

All in all, I thought it was pretty cool and I thought a lot of Japanophiles would buy it on a tshirt, so I am in the process of getting them made. Naturally, I don't have any pictures to show, it would have the word once in roman characters and once again in one of the Japanese writing systems, as well as perhaps a character, kawaii or otherwise, and maybe a symbol of Gaijinness, like a spoon.

I cam up with the idea, for when I go to Japan, so that I would not be hit by hardcore Japanese and be let off for my poor, unaccustomed etiquette.

What do you think?

[MMM]

I think you need to look back a lot further than 2006 for the word Gaijin.

No I would not buy a shirt that said Gaijin on it. That would be pretty lame. There isn't anything "cool" about the word, and it can have neutral to negative implication.

I'd rethink my business plan.

[Paddaman]

Thanks for the reply, although I said that movie popularised the term. I know its old.

I certainly understand the implications, but I have also heard a lot of supportive things. I guess its pretty hit and miss with some people.

Any others?

[myk]

I wouldn't wear that shirt. I think a lot of people would miss the humor.

[Paddaman]

Originally Posted by myk

I wouldn't wear that shirt. I think a lot of people would miss the humor.

Yeah, this is what i fear. At least, I see you would appreciate it yourself.

[myk]

Originally Posted by Paddaman

Yeah, this is what i fear. At least, I see you would appreciate it yourself.

Regardless of what the wearer thought about it, it could easily create a negative impression of him/her.

[Paddaman]

Originally Posted by myk

Regardless of what the wearer thought about it, it could easily create a negative impression of him/her.

valid point, although there are t shirts on the market with baka na gaijin or hen na gaijin, so they are still selling.

there is a market for it at least.

[myk]

Originally Posted by Paddaman

valid point, although there are t shirts on the market with baka na gaijin or hen na gaijin, so they are still selling.

there is a market for it at least.

In Japan? Or among Japanophiles in America or the UK or something?

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Paddaman

valid point, although there are t shirts on the market with baka na gaijin or hen na gaijin, so they are still selling.

there is a market for it at least.

Those look silly, too. And I don't think the guy who came up with those is putting his kids through college on the profits.

[Paddaman]

Originally Posted by myk

In Japan? Or among Japanophiles in America or the UK or something?

USA, i believe. also, its worth noting that gaijin isnt juat about being a foreigner. it strictly means outsider.

it is widely used about rebel artists etc. inside of japan. perhaps even for their equivalent of scene kids.

i've seen a whole documentary about gaijin, who are japanese.