Well, I suppose. But the conformism of Japan is not just a stereotype, it is very much a reality. And my Japanese friends are always telling me "we Japanese do this/do that."

And I'm always scratching my head, responding, "Soko made kimatteruno?" :confused:

I have friends like this too! I wouldn't say that's just a Japanese thing. I mean people here also have an idea of what it means to be a "New Zealander" probably in the same way some people in Japan have an idea of what it means to be "Japanese" or some people in America have an idea of what it means to be "American". In my opinion the reality is that much of what people believe about themselves in relation to their national identity is perpetuated by themselves.

maybe your dads just a regular hoon lol

EDIT: i just realised i may have read your post wrong >< did you mean you find it amazing how he drives on the roads because other drivers are crazy? or was i right? and your dad really just is a hoon

Yeah, I think he meant that ^_^

People often have to do difficult or risky things to simply progress on the roads (they're usually too narrow for comfort) and I think drivers in Japan do a sterling job at manoeuvering their cars. Dad is a dangerous driver but a needlessly dangerous one (for eg. If you say he's taken a wrong turn, he'd slam on the brakes abruptly)

Maybe he really really just doesn't want to get lost...theres a lot of streets in japan....or maaaybe he just likes the feeling of whiplash...one or the other

Sure! People make their own stereotypes, and they become self-fulfilling prophecies. But I think the Japanese have a stronger sense of being watched at all times than we do. This can be a very good thing sometimes -- my customers treat me very well, understanding that the way you treat your suppliers contributes to your reputation just as how you treat your customers does. This was not my experience in Canada!

Sometimes the results can be jarring. I remember watching a TV program, this was back in the early 90s, about gay culture in America. One man interviewed in the program stated that he was gay. Big deal, you may think, but the studio audience gasped, and my friends said, Isn't he worried what his company will think? The feeling being that what you do on your own time is your own business, but attracting attention for "selfish" actions should be avoided, because it might embarrass your company.

Are the interactions in Japan between a white man and a Japanese then more positive then negative?

For the most part yes. I haven't seen any problems with caucasian in Japan, of course, as mention in a different post, some area handled/managed by the yakuza is a bit sensitive, as long as you know the rule you are fine

Absolutey 100% true.