Answers from JP Players

[Kairos]

A very interesting topic to read. I was really happy to see some japanese players come to a point of understanding with us on some issues. Its unfortunate that they would want jp and na only servers, but i agree with what they were trying to say. SE definitely dropped the ball on the auto-translate feature and they should have went for the important phrases first and translating them correctly rather than just tossing in seemingly useless phrases. Like briwn vs. board of education though, I believe you can learn and grow more being exposed to everyone rather than just staying in one group where you are comfortable in your lack of knowledge about others.


And the Adaberk is clearly Ultramarine. Any art major or anyone who has taken a formal painting/color theory class can see this. Its the most ancient form or blue pigment which has a slight hint of purple color to it.

[Grieverao]

Its the most ancient form or blue pigment which has a slight hint of purple color to it.

So it's purple then?

Okok sorry no derailing for me XD

[Saitoe]

i love you elmer. great read.

[Thistle]

While I think they have some good points (I cannot imagine what would make someone think that begging is ever okay, and I can't count how many times I've been insulted because I refused to drop what I'm doing and help someone or to join a party), it's still sad to see how much they dislike us. Not a news flash, but still sad.

[Rivieras]

Can we have them ask questions too? That would be great.

And I'm really suprized by the attempting to speak japanese thing. That took me by surprize. Good work elmer.

Extremely surprised by this as well. Go figure though.

I completely agree on the separate server's aspect; mainly because as I don't speak the language and would feel the same way of sounding like a retard. Same concerns as anyone I think and just like them log on to relax and play, hopefully without the rude assholes around either. But that's asking for far too much.

[Cream Soda]

Interesting read. When I pt at night, I'll have to add Long Time to my comment.

[Naash]

What board did you post this on? Could we have a link to the source thread?

[Lordwafik]

Very good job elmer.

Like I said on the site, this is something we could have used from the beginning to help to understand the cultural differences. I too am surprised that the "bomb was dropped" so to speak in regards to mixing regions on the same servers, completely unannounced.

Also for the Romaji / w issue, that right there is proof of a cultural difference. We thought it was lame/cheesy when someone tried to w in parties to the JP, where they found it reassuring. I'll try to learn a few phrases I guess to communicate with the Japanese, as this is a really big thing that many people I'm sure didn't know about.

Great job elmer, rate up!11!!

[Lexa]

Thanks for the incredible work, Elmer. That was extremely interesting to read. Sure, it was a little disheartening to read some of the harsher words against the English-speaking community, but on the other hand, part of me can understand some of it.

I though the part about learning some simple Japanese was the most interesting. I've always wondered if they found those of us with extremely limited Japanese vocabulary ridiculous if we try to say a word or two. I won't feel so stupid the next time I try telling someone "Arigatou" now, it being the only word I know, haha. XD

[Aquilla]

That was fairly informative, great work elmer^^

I don't believe language or culture barriers are that insurmountable -- all it takes is some communication, I think. It's good to see that at least some JP are willing to try. It's a lil sad how most of them dislike mixed servers, though :/ Being terrified to move out of one's comfort zone never helped anyone.

What surprised me is that it feels like they lump everything into 3 categories: JP, Chinese RMT, and 'foreigner'. They do know that there are more than 3 cultures/languages/methods of playing, right? lol

[Trigun]

Thank you Mr.Elmer.

[Lexa]

What surprised me is that it feels like they lump everything into 3 categories: JP, Chinese RMT, and 'foreigner'. They do know that there are more than 3 cultures/languages/methods of playing, right? lol

Eh, we do the same thing, to a degree. Unless we're talking very specific, we refer to FFXI as having JP and NA players - maybe sometimes EU. I don't really see the difference there.

[Aquilla]

I'm preeeety sure most people notice when they're partying with people who are neither JP nor NA.

Like the guy I partied with once who had 3-line macros for everything, in Spanish.

[DancingEdge]

With regards to the "/check" thing ...

Couldn't care less. I mean them no ill will, but honestly? I don't have a right to know if you're gimpy? I shouldn't care what you're wearing? I can't bookmark for future reference if you're a player with awesome or horrible gear?


Go bitch to SE, with all the changes they're making I can't imagine they're utterly unwilling to change the /check text.

[DancingEdge]

Also am I the only person who feels like there's very little middleground for JP? They're either uberly pimped, or depressingly gimp? I don't see many JP players that are average.


I'll just start editing this post for more notes.


The comments on the mixing of servers is almost offensive. Are the japanese really this terrified of outsiders? I knew they were ethnocentric, but this is just ridiculous.


The comments on lotting are interesting, but do they realize it's just a more efficient way of doing things? Instead of forcing everyone to lot if they want something you just let it fall since it's random anyway. Most of them seemed to just take it as another chance to rag on NA players.







I understand that the autotranslate might not be as good on their end, but I'm able to communicate my point 99.9% of the time .

I've gone so far as to go to bablefish and translate "Internet translation, I'm sorry" into kanji and then follow up with the phrase that I couldn't work out correctly in auto translate.

[Pun]

Excellent, excellent work. I found it very educational, and somewhat amusing at some points. I, too, was caught off guard with the Japanese players' thankfulness for attempting to speak their language.

[Lexa]

I'm preeeety sure most people notice when they're partying with people who are neither JP nor NA.

Like the guy I partied with once who had 3-line macros for everything, in Spanish.

I've never had people realize I'm Norwegian until I tell them.

EDIT: And when I had /p macros, none of them were in Norwegian, either. I know some people I've taught to say obscene Norwegian stuff, though, who has that in their macros...

[Silenka]

This was my favorite answer, under the question of why hate /check:

"It’s a cultural difference. Japan is concerned with shame, while Europe and America focus on crime and sin. Japanese are very concerned about how people see them."

This is not only very true of their culture, but it's very unexpected that a JP would point this out of his own free will (in my opinion). It's why NA players have no problem getting into shout matches in WG with gear thieves and shady players... it's also why you won't see many JPs (or none at all) involving themselves in such shouting matches.

They definitely worry most about shaming themselves in front of others, the fact that NA don't care what other people think of them really doesn't sit well with them it seems (and a lot pointed that out in their answers, but generally categorizing it under 'rudeness').

[matt4684]

Very interesting to get to read those responses. I'm not sure if it's been asked already or planned out, but are there any plans to solicit questions from JP players for NA players to answer?

[Mytiwar]

That was awesome.

Also don't forget if you find some things they said offensive.. they are under the overwhelming power of ANONYMOUS aren't they?

But I gotta admit some of them went a wee bit far when discussing aboot the segregated servers. (French canadiana gets no love too... but I guess Canada doesn't really exist.)