Expats in Japan are pretty diverse beings. They range from eager young graduates to middle-aged singles, from people who can’t wait to leave to those who have been here for years and don’t see themselves ever returning to their home country. Most expats and tourists I’ve met over here are pretty nice people, but as with any group of people, there are always exceptions.

Sometimes people say things that are just really annoying. Most of the time they’re trying to be funny or quirky, but when you’ve heard it enough times it’s hard to not just roll your eyes. Here are 4 really irritating things that foreigners say when they’re in Japan.

1. “How long have you been in Japan?”

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Now, please don’t get me wrong. The question itself isn’t an issue. When meeting someone new, asking them how long they’ve been in the country is a basic icebreaker question along with “where are you from?” and “do you like comic books?”

However, it’s the attitude that comes with it. The smug smile and the “I’ve been here [longer time than you said].” It’s especially annoying when they treat you like you know nothing because you haven’t been there as long. I once had an exchange student patiently explain to me where Akihabara was on the Yamanote line because she assumed I was a tourist. Yeah, thank you so much for your divine wisdom.

2. “I think I’m turning Japanese, I really think so!”

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Oh, you’ve heard of that irritating, repetitive 1980 song? And now you can use it here when you do something remotely local such as bowing or eating with chopsticks! How cultured of you! No, no, I get it. It’s hilarious.

3. “This is totally different to [insert one’s home city]”

Yes, Tokyo is a lot bigger than Sydney. Yes it is rare to get decent ramen in Yorkshire. Yes, there is a karaoke box in Edinburgh.

If someone asks about your home city, feel free to talk about it until the cows come home. If you’re homesick, Skype your parents. But I don’t want to hear all about your city thousands of miles away which I will probably never visit. Constantly. When I’m trying to enjoy Japan.

4. Call themselves, and each other, “Gaijin”

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“Gaijin” is a derogatory term literally meaning “outsider”. It isn’t a nice word. Even the gentler “gaikokujin”, meaning “outside country’s person” grinds my gears. We’re all people. Just say people.

Statements like “I’m a silly gaijin!” “I don’t know because I’m a gaijin”, “Just look for the group of gaijins” makes me want to jump out of the nearest window. Calling yourself a gaijin just because you’re not Asian just reaffirms the belief that non-Japanese people are “outsiders”.

They’re the most common annoying things that non-Japanese people say when they’re in Japan. Are you guilty of any of the above? Have you heard of any other irritating things commonly said by foreigners? Leave a comment.

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