JAWing On – Life on Okinawa

Do you believe philosophical “mumbo jumbo” can replace personal experiences?

If you want a “Big Mac” do you go to KFC for dinner? Do you think being intoxicated will change the KFC menu into a McDonald’s menu?

Many people believe that the philosophy of “no rules” governs people’s actions on Okinawa. Do you realize that this is a belief in perhaps what is the ultimate facade? If a person believes in the philosophy of ” no rules” to the point that it governs their behavior and actions, than aren’t they are following the “rule” of “no rules”?

One often hears the locals say it’s all about happiness. But in modern times it isn’t uncommon to find people whose idea of happiness is causing other people misery. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to say you wish tranquility (an inner calm) for others?

When an adult (say someone over thirty years of age) spends all night partying, drinking, and neglecting the consequences of that behavior seven days a week, do you really think babying is going to help anything? When that person ends up sick, why shouldn’t he or she take responsibility and be held accountable for their own choice to neglect their health?

One aspect of the locals that most foreigners quickly notice is the “enthusiastic” and “fun loving” characteristics projected in almost every situation. But that seems to be one of the more confusing aspects of the culture as well. This animated behavior can be cute in young women up to the mid-twenties. However, the inability to communicate in a straightforward, non-catty manner after that age is less attractive, and almost ridiculous. The fact that this type of behavior is promoted in both men and women well over the age of 30 as “cute” somehow tends to undermine the ability to take anything these types of locals do or say as anything other than nonsense. Is it possible for an entire culture to be “histrionic”?

In college I majored in Asian Studies. One of the things we learned is that the local culture tends to adopt systems that meet their needs better than existing systems. In religion that seems to be the adoption of Christianity for many of the locals. However, when one adopts a system to meet needs are they really a true follower or just using the program to get what they want? Given that thought, for people who are raised with the theology does Christianity mean being naive?

On Okinawa fads seem to govern the masses, whatever is the new thing rules until the next new thing comes along. Whatever that current fad is, there are always people who try to jump on the wagon. Is there an understanding of the difference between really liking something that one has no say in and being obsessed with something one has no say in?

Okinawans have very many charming sayings. Some of which are “Children are for playing, money isn’t;” “Once we have talked we are friends;” and “A smooth talker is no good.” But if you talk once to a person who is a smooth talker, is that person a friend who is no good? What if you talk to the smooth talker many times? Does that make the person a close friend who is no good? Is there a word in the local dialect for acquaintance? I haven’t been able to find that particular phrase.