# Weeaboos for countries other than Japan? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 15, 2014, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407 "2014-10-15T16:08:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/21 "2014-10-16T17:22:57Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > Pretentious morons, like scientists who use words accurately? > > The words [don’t mean the same thing](http://www.usgs.gov/faq/categories/9755/3141). They are wrong, and are back-defining the word. “Tidal wave” has always been a huge wave caused by a earthquake, etc. See the line “Tidal wave was used in earlier times to describe what we now call a tsunami.” From an interview with Dr. Eddie Bernard, Director of the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory: ELIZABETH FARNSWORTH: \*How common is-and by the way-should we say Tsunami or Tidal Wave? \* EDDIE BERNARD: \*It’s your preference. Tsunami is the Japanese word. Tidal Wave is an apt description of the process. It looks like a very rapid tide to people who live along the coast-whatever word works for you. \* They started using “Tsunami” as they were 'weeaboos". Why? Well, “because the waves are not caused by tides”. Sure. No one thought they were. “Tidal” in this case meant “in the sea, in a area that has tides”. True, the term was slightly confusing. But “tsunami” means “Harbor wave” and they are not caused by or limited to harbors. The best term is “Seismic Sea Wave”. ---
**Author:** ![Boogly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Boogly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boogly)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/22 "2014-10-16T18:47:16Z")
Japanese Greaser Bikers? > **[Bōsōzoku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C5%8Ds%C5%8Dzoku)** > > Bōsōzoku (暴走族, lit. 'running-out-of-control (as of a vehicle) tribe') is a Japanese youth subculture associated with customized motorcycles. The first appearance of these types of biker gangs was in the 1950s. Popularity climbed throughout the 1980s and 1990s, peaking at an estimated 42,510 members in 1982. Their numbers dropped dramatically in the 2000s, with fewer than 7,297 members in 2012. > Bōsōzoku style traditionally involves boilersuits similar to those of manual laborers or leather milita... ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/23 "2014-10-16T19:25:04Z")
Never fear, [Etymology-Man](http://xkcd.com/1010/) is here! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/24 "2014-10-16T20:11:46Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Funny you should say that- the more I look at this thread, the nastier it seems. [Here’s why.](http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/subcultures/weeaboo) There’s no logical reason white people should be made fun of for being interested in Japanese culture. Now, there are many ways in which an interest in Japanese culture could be annoying - if the person is myopic about their interests and never shuts up, or if their conception of Japan is based on stereotypes and doesn’t involve any real understanding, but I wouldn’t just assume anyone who likes Japanese stuff is ignorant or putting on airs. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/25 "2014-10-16T20:15:20Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > [Here’s why.](http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/subcultures/weeaboo) There’s no logical reason white people should be made fun of for being interested in Japanese culture. Now, there are many ways in which an interest in Japanese culture could be annoying - if the person is myopic about their interests and never shuts up, or if their conception of Japan is based on stereotypes and doesn’t involve any real understanding, but I wouldn’t just assume anyone who likes Japanese stuff is ignorant or putting on airs. I agree. I dont mind the term “Francophile” for those in love with French culture, etc, but “weeaboo” is dismissive. “Japanophile” is correct but somehow sounds off. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/26 "2014-10-16T20:55:49Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Now, there are many ways in which an interest in Japanese culture could be annoying - if the person is myopic about their interests and never shuts up, or if their conception of Japan is based on stereotypes and doesn’t involve any real understanding… I think those exactly the people for whom the term “weeaboo” was coopted (see the knowyourmeme link in my OP). ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/27 "2014-10-16T21:05:47Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > I think those exactly the people for whom the term “weeaboo” was coopted (see the knowyourmeme link in my OP). Yes, I see I linked to the same exact page. D’oh. And maybe that’s what the word is intended to mean. But when people throw these types of insults around they’re not that discriminating. A word that originally (maybe) meant a white person with a barely-informed obsession with Japan winds up meaning every white person who’s into Japanese culture. The Knowyourmeme definition makes that pretty clear - there’s nothing in there about stereotyping or ignorance. Just a preference for Japanese stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/28 "2014-10-16T21:39:02Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > There’s a subculture of non-Japanese people out there who are fanatic about all things Japanese. Anime, food, social norms, whatever. The polite term for these people is [Japanophile;](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanophile) the less polite slang term (especially for those who exhibit extreme obsession) is [weeaboo.](http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/subcultures/weeaboo) > > Thing is, I have never heard of such fanatics for other cultures of the world. Are there people who are obnoxiously obsessed with all things German? Indian? Malaysian? Mexican? …? What are the things about their target culture that they obsess/commune over? Perhaps one analogy might involve Renfair/SCA folk. Or figure skaters. Or scrabble enthusiasts. FWIW, I consider myself a Japanophile. I generally consider Japanese manga and anime to be superior to American comics and animation, though I enjoy some of the latter. I practice an Asian martial art influenced by Japanese martial arts. I can’t see how any of this is a bad thing and even perceive some xenophobia in one of the OP’s links, but whadya expect from a weeaboo? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/29 "2014-10-16T21:48:29Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > I can’t see how any of this is a bad thing and even perceive some xenophobia in one of the OP’s links, but whadya expect from a weeaboo? It’s obvious you’re only doing those things to look cool or impress others, not because you enjoy them. That’s how it works for everybody who’s into stuff I’m not into. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/30 "2014-10-16T22:15:34Z")
Obviously European obsession with Chinese culture started in the 17th and 18th centuries — partially due to curiosity and interest in design; but the first great wave of fascination with things Japanese, particularly prints, due to their incomparable drawing skills, was — in Western Europe at least — around the 1860s and '70s. Not only Whistler, but most Impressionists, and collectors, were maddened with Japonaiserie. Even in the 1930s, common household china in Britain was still strongly influenced by previous Japanese patterns and motifs. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/31 "2014-10-16T22:42:39Z")
Many of the people I’ve run into who are obsessed with Japan seem to have a highly sexualized view of Japan, Japanese culture, and most importantly, Japanese women, or rather girls. You know, that stereotypical infantilized thing so often seen in anime? They dig Japanese stuff because Japanese stuff gives them raging boners. Those guys are creepy as hell. Liking anime is not creepy. Fantasizing about fucking about fucking [Dawn from Pokemon](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Dawn_(anime)) is. > [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > FWIW, I consider myself a Japanophile. I generally consider Japanese manga and anime to be superior to American comics and animation, though I enjoy some of the latter. I practice an Asian martial art influenced by Japanese martial arts. I can’t see how any of this is a bad thing and even perceive some xenophobia in one of the OP’s links, but whadya expect from a weeaboo? It’s not a bad thing at all. Unless you also fantasize about fucking Dawn from Pokemon. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/32 "2014-10-16T22:59:59Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > Unless you also fantasize about fucking Dawn from Pokemon. Does being _up_ at fucking dawn count?😛 ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/33 "2014-10-17T00:19:26Z")
I know more than a few Afro-philes of various strains (full admission: I may be one myself.) I think part of it is that Africa is so often misrepresented in the US that people who happen to like Africa kind of reflexively overdo it. Afro-philes most definitely gravitate to modern Africa, with its pop music and wax prints. But a lot of “modern” Africa reads as “traditional” from the outside. I’ve always been a little baffled with the fact that we easily accept other people being interested in American culture. Indeed, it’s almost a given that random Joe/Liu/Jose/Yosef/Jomo will enjoy Hollywood films and Beyonce and would probably cut off their arm to go to the US, but we find it almost pathological when an American has a strong interest in a non-European country. Nobody asks the Indian doctor in Atlanta “What’s wrong with India? Why would you want to leave you home to live in a strange country? Don’t you want to help your own people?” But if an American doctor wants to move to India she’s going to get those kinds of pointed questions. ---
**Author:** ![bizzwire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/958977/32.png) [@bizzwire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizzwire)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/34 "2014-10-17T00:47:15Z")
I seem to remember, dimly, a fascination with Polynesian culture in the early 60s. Anyone else recall the rattan/bamboo wallpaper, tiki torches, of those days? ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/35 "2014-10-17T01:10:17Z")
Weirdly, or perhaps not, I’ve never watched or played Pokemon as an adult. Yeah Polynesia was once all the rage: highlights or lowlights included Hawaiian basements, [Trader Vics](http://tradervics.com/), [Tiki bars](http://hawaiiantimemachine.blogspot.com/2010/11/tiki-bar-goes-east.html), [enchanted Tiki rooms](https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disneyland/enchanted-tiki-room/): the fad dates from the 1930s and continued through the 1960s. And afterwards, though with increasing irony. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/36 "2014-10-17T06:31:29Z")
> [@bizzwire](#): > > I seem to remember, dimly, a fascination with Polynesian culture in the early 60s. Anyone else recall the rattan/bamboo wallpaper, tiki torches, of those days? [Tiki](http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/tiki-hangover/) culture. Interesting article, if a little naive: hey, it’s OK if we pinch random bits of your culture to furnish our bars 'cos it’s done with _lurve_. ---
**Author:** ![Recusant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@Recusant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Recusant)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/37 "2014-10-17T09:25:24Z")
I’ve encountered this idea before, and it baffles me. Here in the US, we are very much a composite culture. We certainly have created elements of our own, and by far the biggest chunk of what we’ve absorbed comes from the English, but bits and pieces from all over the place have filtered in over the centuries. This seems to be tolerated well enough, but anything new… The general rule seems to be, if it was brought to this country by immigrants, that’s fine, but if you’re copying an idea you’ve seen someone else do, that’s condemnable. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/38 "2014-10-17T17:47:49Z")
I think you’re working from the wrong definition of weaboo. Yes, they may call themselves Japanophiles, but the version of Japan they like is the fictionalized version from anime, combined with western stereotypes. Heck, I’ve heard the term used just for an otaku, someone who really likes anime. The reason I have a problem with weaboos is that they’re kinda (unintentionally) racist. I’m not sure that’s the case with other -ophiles. I’m sure there are some true Japanophiles who get put under the weaboo label. They treat Japan the same way Anglophiles treat England. But there are so many that are the anime-fantasy kind that it’s hard to treat the same way. Not that I think they are horrible, just extremely naive. I think the cure is just for them to go to Japan for a little while and see what it’s really like. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/39 "2014-10-17T17:59:24Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > They have this fanticy about what Paris is like and the reality completely shocks them. So is it a positive difference, as in they thought it would be ok, but the Louvre, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, etc… are more awesome than they thought? Or is it a negative sort of difference, as in they had it in their heads that Paris was some sort of fairy-tale romantic place, and they get there and find out that it’s kind of dirty, filled with people with very different attitudes, and generally not much different at all than any other big city in the world. I’ve kind of had both happen- not to the point of having physical symptoms, but I’ll admit that I thought Paris was going to be a lot cooler than it really was, and I didn’t go to Rome expecting very much at all, and was really surprised at how much I liked it. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407/40 "2014-10-17T18:13:09Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > There’s a condition called _[Paris Syndrome](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_syndrome)_ The Japanese version of the article specifies that it’s mostly women in their 30s. They have this fanticy about what Paris is like and the reality completely shocks them. > [@bump](#): > > So is it a positive difference, as in they thought it would be ok, but the Louvre, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, etc… are more awesome than they thought? > > Or is it a negative sort of difference, as in they had it in their heads that Paris was some sort of fairy-tale romantic place, and they get there and find out that it’s kind of dirty, filled with people with very different attitudes, and generally not much different at all than any other big city in the world. The second one. The idea is that their expectations are so totally unrealistic that the city itself becomes a crushing disappointment. > [@BigT](#): > > I think you’re working from the wrong definition of weaboo. Yes, they may call themselves Japanophiles, but the version of Japan they like is the fictionalized version from anime, combined with western stereotypes. Heck, I’ve heard the term used just for an otaku, someone who really likes anime. In other words, nobody’s working from the wrong definition. An insult for a specific type of person got applied to a much bigger group of people. Quoting from the OP, someone who is “fanatic about all things Japanese. Anime, food, social norms, whatever.” probably isn’t just going off of stereotypes or fiction. They sound pretty well-informed about the country. Which apparently is bad if you’re white. > [@](#): > > The reason I have a problem with weaboos is that they’re kinda (unintentionally) racist. I’m not sure that’s the case with other -ophiles. I think that’s pretty common. It’s part of why you sometimes see people having the Oriental vs. Asian debate: the word Oriental was sometimes used by people who admired those countries (and sometimes not), but it was always associated with a shallow and stereotyped image of the countries and the people. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weeaboos-for-countries-other-than-japan/701407.md?page=3)