Double Perimeter

About the white recognition nod...

I was browsing a store in Akihabara when I was in Tokyo last year, and one of the white clerks came up to me and started speaking French to me. I guess maybe I look French or something? I don't know.

But it often seemed to me that the guys from other countries were a lot more open to approaching who they perceived as their fellow countrymen than the Americans were. In fact, I think I got along with foreigners who weren't American a lot better than the Americans in Tokyo.

Maybe it's just the concept that if you look at someone the wrong way in an American city, people'll think you're a weirdo for paying attention to them. So the recognition doesn't happen because we don't want it to be misconstrued as aggressive behavior or something.

...or I could just be talking out of my ass. There're probably sociological studies about this kind of thing.

I know the exact head nod you're talking about, even though I'm whiter than a bar of soap. I've attended inner-city schools my whole life, and as a result, I've artificially adopted the head nod (in my neighborhood, it extended beyond the black community to basically anyone who grew up in the inner city). Interesting story about that: about the time I was 12, my neighborhood experienced a sort of bohemian renaissance, so suddenly it went from being low income and a bad place to live, to low income with a rich and diverse culture heavily rooted in the arts. I went home to visit my parents this summer to find that its been completely overrun by yuppies... AND THEY ALL DO THE HEAD NOD.

I actually find myself still doing the head nod from time to time, but the difference is now I live in an incredibly right-wing catholic/lutheran town in the middle of nowhere... it doesn't work out so well...

I think the white-people-hating-each-other thing has to do with the fear that other white people will expose us for what we are, and what we're here for. It's also the fear of the default-friendship, and avoiding the idea that all gaijin are the same and all are friends. I believe there's a facebook group to that effect- 'just because we're both gaijin doesn't mean we're friends.'
And funny about you saying black men are rare. Last time I was in Tokyo I saw more black men that white men. I also saw mormons in Yoyogi Park.

Yeah, I think I know what you mean about all the foreigners hating each other. When I was over there as an exchange student, whenever I'd see a fellow foreigner out of the corner of my eye or hear some non-accented English, I'd take a quick peek to see if it was someone from my school. If not, I'd look away quickly, pretend I didn't know them, and hope that all the Japanese would not associate me with them because they'd invariably be doing something totally uncool that proved they didn't know the local customs like totally awesome me did. Like, I don't know, look for a public trash can.

The whole racial un-diversity of Japan is pretty shocking at first. In the 3 weeks I spend there (in the Kansai area) I saw maybe 3 black guys and no hispanics. Haha, maybe one of the black guys was you. :P

Lol "Black Recognition Nod" is so true and like you I have never seen the other races' equivalent.

Thanks for the writings and take care.

The recognition nod is only in the black and community (I did see some latinos do it but a lot lesser then blacks). Some foreigners don't secretly hate you, they will tell it to your face. My friend who happens to be Caucasian was sent to Japan for a month to train some employees. He got along with everyone except with one employee who happened to be only white guy of the company. He told my friend and I quote "You are stealing the spotlight from me." What's the deal with that, when you are in the USA you are friends but in Japan you are competition? Wow.

It's interesting you mentioned how foreigners in Japan seem to secretly hate each other. I don't get it either. I am friendly toward others and have a genuinely pleasant disposition but when I see another foreigner, I swear, they act like they have been pretending to be Japanese and acknowledging they are in fact not by cavorting with a non-Japanese person would be the worst thing to happen to them that day. If their facial features could be read into a story, they would be saying, "Oh my God, what if that non-Japanese person wants to talk to me? What if that person thinks we should be friends now just because we are both non-Japanese? Do I have to acknowledge that person just because we are both clearly foreigners?" Then they drop their head or stare at an uninteresting building until we are far enough away from each other they can resume being the only gaijin within miles. I live in a city so I do see foreigners from time to time, but this city is in Tohoku; not like tons of foreigners come flocking up here, that's for sure. I recently visited Kyoto and I saw more English-speaking people than I did in any major city in America, where the language of choice seems to be Spanish. So when you see a foreigner in northern Japan, you do tend to do a double-take toward them, as so many Japanese people have done to you. Interestingly enough, my friend who lives in a very rural area (SO need to stress the word "rural!") says if you see a foreigner there, you are automatically best buds, no questions asked; it's an obligation. Anyway, I have my own "bus crew," much like you have your train crew and I enjoy your cute stories. Thanks.

Some Recognition Nods exist within culture niches as well, but they're usually more conscious. I've witness the BRN, and it's usually very subconscious. It's something you guys usually simply DO, without really noticing it or making any forthwright attempt to show recognition.

I myself, have received repeatedly the Trenchcoat Recognition Nod, the Dyed Hair Recognition Nod, the PSP Recognition Nod, the Yeah, That Girl IS Cute Recognition Nod (when we both catch each other mutually staring at the same girl), and the Guy With Long Hair Recognition Nod. I've given the Cool Band Shirt Recognition Nod, and at one time or another most of the ones that I've received.

I'm yet to experience a WRN, but then I've never been to a place where the white man is uncommon. Maybe in Mexico or some Asian countries they have one. Mexicans, I imagine, less have a recognition nod as they do the distinct horn of the Ford Pinto.

I am not so sure about the nod crossing all races (I am white/scottish), but it can cross cultures pretty easily. Seemingly anytime I pass another obvious IT (Information Technology, a computer hardware geek) person (and I am obviously one at the time as well) we have a nod with some form of 'Hi' although we have never met and may probably never meet. It is very common around, probably because there are so few of us...

I have always thought of joining Jet, my first real opportunity would be this coming year, and quite literally the only thing holding me back is my paranoia of not being able to ship my computer successfully...

I totally get the "all foreigners hate each other" thing... I think it's mostly an issue of, we speak the language, we think we understand their culture and are good examples of our own culture, whereas anyone else here must be some obnoxious tourist who's only looking to get laid & who will make the rest of us look bad. And maybe a little bit of "Hey, -I- was here first! Go get your own country!" I actually know a Japanese blogger who went through the same thing when she did a study abroad in the UK & ran into other Japanese people, so maybe it's a universal thing. Only then it was probably "Sheesh, you're gonna make everyone here think all Japanese people are terrible speakers who don't know their Ls from their Rs & do nothing but take pictures of everything all day, shop for expensive designer goods, and order shrimp & mayonaise on their pizzas." ^^;

Wow, great editorial. I have been reading your stuff since the OP nine days. As a black male I know all about the Black Recognition nod. I never really thought about why it happens, it just sorta happens.

And good luck with the wedding, I wish you and your wife all the best in the future.

Long-time reader, first-time commenter. I've been here on JET for just over three years now, and I can totally attest to the inexplicable secret hatred that foreigners in Japan have of each other. It disturbs me; you'd think we'd have a gaijin recognition nod like the black recognition nod you described, considering we, as foreigners, are definitely in the minority here, and would want to acknowledge our shared struggle...but we just radiate waves of hate instead.

My theory is that, while it often sucks to be singled out as a foreigner, I think that, at the same time, we also like the attention and the uniqueness, almost a sort of celebrity status. When we see a foreigner we don't know, it's like they're pissing on our turf, challenging our status just by existing. We're not so special anymore.

Of course, I totally admit that my theory could be way off, but it's the only theory I've got. Any others out there?

We have the biker recognition nod... it's when two bikers do when passing each other. Close enough.

Oooh, more updates. Awesome.

I do hope that you can somehow get out of your financial troubles, or that the donations are going to help to it. More to the point, I hope you can somehow take advantage of your Internet fame to finally support your income.

Well, here's hoping. Cheers!

Oddly enough, I'm an extreme right-wing catholic/lutheran and I do the head nod. Around here people wave. They wave at strangers. They wave at people who cut them off in traffic (not that kind of wave! just the friendly kind). They wave at old people sitting on their porches staring at the world passing them by. But I'm not a wave kind of person. So I do the head nod. I didn't realize I was doing it for a long time but a friend eventually asked why I do the curt head nod instead of waving.

I've noticed a few other people around town doing the head nod lately. But most of them are skinny little gangsta wannabes with wallets on a chain and britches so baggy a mild wind would yank 'em down. But occasionally you'll run across another cool loner type person who does the head nod.

You know, I never realized it until now, but I do the BRN sometimes, too (I'm part black, japanese, costa rican and portuguese)! It just happens!

Another great post!

Note: Hopefully, I'll be able to donate a little soon!

Memories from China: pretty much all of us foreigners would share the "foreigner head nod". I also had a tendancy to yell "yang ren" which is a somewhat insulting term for white man when I came across obvious tourists.

I don't know about a nod . . . I just spent a month in Vietnam, and whenever I saw another white person, I sort of glanced at them nervously and then quickly looked away. White people are damned ugly in the tropics (we go all red and sweaty and look like someone's slowly suffocating us), and every time I saw one, I worried that I looked like as much of a pathetic tourist as they did. Almost made me wish I was Asian. (That, and the kids staring at me on the streets.)

The recognition nod must more obvious if you're in an area where you stick out like a sore thumb.

Oh well...

Hey, I'm finally coming back to Japan in October after four long years. Maybe I could count how many times I see the ?RN.

The South Asian Recognition Nod exists, although it isn't a nod as much as it is the South Asian Disarmingly Friendly Smile.

I'm so glad AfroRomance has decided to grace your page with its ad. All these years of the bling wearing and basketball pracise was for naught.

Hmm well I dont have any kind of nod or anything like that, but.. it kinda depends. Because say its in the morning and there arent a lot of people and youre walking past someone, sometimes I dont know if I should acknowedge them or not.. cause sometimes if I do, they dont return it, which feels weird, and if I dont, sometimes they look as if I'm being rude of something.. XD I dunno if its just me but im get confused as to when to acknowledge people and who to acknowledge... (I miss nyc.. down there everybody pretty much minds their own business without repercussion... >_> )

Oh and reading this brought to mind some family I have living in TN, I remember when I visited them for a while and they wave at EVERYONE down there.. while driving they wave at random people who drive past on the other side (even the police), at people they walk past... like wtf.

The BRN was quite common at the inner-city high school I attended, although it wasn't entirely exclusive to black guys. I have, however, yet to see it exchanged between women.

By the way, when I saw it, it was actually a raising of the head slightly followed by a slow lowering to normal level, rather than the more common opposite. Is this what you all generally experience?

And, finally, typekey isn't working for me. It keeps giving me an error:
"The site you're trying to comment on has not signed up for this feature. Please inform the site owner."

In Colorado I've definitely seen the hispanic recognition nod. Around here it's not really a nod, though.. just the upstroke of one. Two inch chin lift kinda thing. If verbalized, it's 'hesse' and then movin' on.

Maybe you can rent yourself out to newcomers in Japan to teach them the way of the Gaijin Smash.

FWIW, I'm white, but I grew up in a black neighborhood and acquired the nod. All the black guys I've thrown it at have reacted appropriately... and about 75% of the white guys. So we've taken that too, bitches!

Haha, I just realized...

What if the Train Crew all have names for you?

"Asians actually outnumbered whites!"

You didn't happen to attend UC Irvine, did you?

Your PayPal link is not working for me. I have tried it with three different browsers on 3 different computers at two different locations, they all give "General PayPal Error" page. We can still send based on your email, but the link needs fixing... :)

(Az's Note: Should be fixed now.)

Feh, expats, What can you say about them? They couldn't adjust in their own countries so they bring their pathologies and sense of entitlements abroad (not saying that you fit the mold, Az, just most expats)

Ahh the Black Recognition Nod. I know what you mean. I'm a black that lives in a mostly white city so any time I see another black guy I nod at him. I don't know him, and chances are I will never see him again, but it's nice to see someone like me out there.

Riding the train just to see them isn't sad!
It's kinda sweet.
I mean, you've known them for this long, having this one-sided relationship and all.

I say do it, Az.

The Mexican nod is just two Mexicans staring at each other maybe because we try so hard to act tough

You mentioned not seeing any mexicans... I gota say, when I was in Kyoto this summer I went into a hyaku en store and actually ran into a mexican. Granted i suppose its a lil presumptuous to think she was mexican but I live in so cal... I know my mexicans.

"I'm seriously considering just riding the train one day to see how everyone is doing. ...How sad is that?"

I say go for it. It couldn't be more awkward than, say, a class reunion; I mean, at least on the train you can pretend you have some other reason for being there if you get too many hard stares.

Again, thanks everyone for the continued donations! At the current level I'll be posting over half of my wedding pictures. At this rate I might just have to put up the whole thing!

Thank you everyone.

since when the hell is everyone mexican? its freaking hispanic.there way tomany hispanic countries to call everyone mexico(try from central America to south America)

Funny, because where I live, there's usually always a nod of recognition or a simple "hey". By the way, where I live, we had a population of 350k in the 2000 census, if that gives you an idea of the area, so the nod to me is less special.

I'm sure at least ten people have posted this already, but the WRN does exist, at least where I live. It's actually a really sad WRN. Since I live in the center of the country, there are very little white people here. We have about 1000 foreigners for 10 million people (gross estimate). In fact, when I see a white person I don't know, I get kind of excited like the chinese do. they normally scream "wai guo ren! wai guo ren", and I have been known to whisper that and to point them out to even OTHER white people. but when I see one I always nod. We have this unspoken idea that if the other person doesn't nod back that he/she is an asshole :)

So this may come across as racist, but I honestly did not know you were black until you were talking about the other black guy on the train. I always thought you were very articulate and intelligent, so good on you for being an amazing writer! again, sorry if that was racist.. having lived in China for a few months, it really brings out the inner racist in people :(

We (Black women) have our own BRN: we smile at each other, mouth the word:'HI!' or just flat out say hi.

But more than likely, we just smile, lol.

You should totally take the train and see how they're doing. I'd donate another fiver for that.

The Paypal link has never worked for me

i know the "insert recognition nod" here thing.

my dad had several, one for people driving the same motorcycle as he was, or any motorcycle actually, or if they were driving the same type of vehicle (his old truck, or his bus since he was a bus driver) although he would actually wave at all bus drivers no matter what he was driving. all those years i thought he knew all those people, since he drive the buses for 2 places (city and school) and he was in a motorcycle and truck club, but he said that it was the kinship of ownership and employment. nah i think my dad just knows everyone we could go in to the bfe of no where and someone will come up to him and know who he is, no hes not a rock star lol.

then my sister tells me that in nebraska they have the one finger flip, which is when you pass anyone on the road (since there is rarely any traffic) you must acknowledge them by raising your index finger off the steering wheel, and after a while its just habit to do the one finger flip no matter who is coming at you, tractors, regular cars, trucks, trains, cows lol.

Wooo, all the pictures huh? Maybe we can deduce what your superstar-cashcow kids will look like. :P

"She was clearly just uncomfortable being sandwiched between so much raw, sexual power, that she had to change her seats. Or she thought we were both going to carry her off the train and murder her. Whatever."

I had to laugh at this one. And I, too, have seen the videos. Some of them are very interesting.

you have got to be kidding me, recognition nod in mexicans is used by every mexican towards any body who is or looks mexican. damm just watch george lopez. it basically substitues hello for us a lot of times fuck sometimes the only communication i have with another mexican in the same room as me is the nod.
It is also used by mexicans ages ranging between young as a small child to a old wrinkled man you basically the only time amexican does not do the head nod is when he dies.

I've gotten the recognition nod here in Taichung, but I'm not sure if it's because I'm white or more broadly because I'm a 外國人. I'm guessing the nod would happen regardless of skin color, so long as neither of us happen to be Taiwanese, but I can't say for sure; I honestly can't even remember the last time I saw a jan-u-wine black person, in the flesh.

Actually, I got more than a nod today; walking down a side street, where the foreigner is a rare and exotic breed, I ran across another white guy who gave me a forced 'Hi!' as he walked past, apparently purely because I'm another foreigner and maybe I could understand what the hell he's saying. I'm tempted in those circumstances to break into Cantonese, just to screw with their heads.

> I lose desire towards women who are prone to bite on long slender objects that they put into their mouth. Wonder why...

Funny, I only lose it towards women who are prone to bite on long, THICK objects ;-) But that's just me...

Oh, and I thought it was more a 'guy recognition nod', because I'm white and I always do it. But I thought it was more a "I know you're there, but we don't really have anything to talk about and I don't want to pretend that I do want to talk unless there's a reason" nod.

Though I could be reading too much into that.

Totally know the Black Recognition Nod. I'm currently in Japan studying abroad, and I have recieved the nod on a few occasions. An Asian friend actually witnessed it once and it blew her mind! After explaining this phenomenon to her she wanted to see it over and over again.

I think the nod is the same for both females and males. Just a quick recognition of our blackness and our struggles!

The secret is, there is no "White Recognition Nod". All White Men are fundamentally rivals in a kind of Code Geass, Darwinian, "Let's Kill Our Way to Kingship!" type of way. ;D