Godzwilla versus Staring

People in Japan will stare at foreigners. There is simply no way around this fact.

Of course this really only applies to non-asian foreigners. I've met several Chinese folks here who blend in like...Japaninjas...or something. Until they're forced to talk, nobody can see through their disguise. But for the rest of us, typically the white or black male, it's practically a Japanese past-time to stare at us. This isn't because they dislike us (well...it isn't ALWAYS because they dislike us), it's just that when you see a thousand Japanese people, then a person with white skin and blonde hair, it's a natural reaction to turn and take another look. In fact, I'm fine with this.

But that's not where it ends. People will stare at you as if their freaking life depends on it. They'll take the common double-turn...then turn and stare a third time. But they will suck that third stare dry for as long as they can. Of course, a quick reverse-stare at them will cut this out momentarily, but their prying eyes will be back in no time. These people see us foreigners as a free show, not to be passed up. It's the worst on trains. To be me on a train is a dangerous game, and here's why: We're in a train, and all these old people are around me who haven't seen a foreigner in probably 20 minutes (God forbid), and they are all very bored. It's a recipe for social disaster. In my first week here I was so fed up with the staring that in one of the morning trains, after a 5 minute silence with an old man next to me just glaring, I turned and gave him the classic Meet the Parents "I'm watchin you" hand gesture. He immediately got off as soon as we arrived at the next station. I felt terrible later but hey, he's a big boy and he'll learn.

Godzwilla versus Staring?
The winner: Staring, because it will NEVER stop.