[binarray2000]

It's nice that most of them are polite (okay, except some politicians) but how many are friendly, how do they see foreigners staying for very long (or maybe forever?) in Japan or even marrying a girl (daughter?)? During my years in Germany, I have observed the politeness and sometimes friendlyness but, after meeting new people, most of them would ask me "And, when do you go back home?". (BTW: Almost every foreigner who lives there - even those born there but with african, asian or other non-white roots - reported the same experience)

[ido]

> During my years in Germany, I have observed the politeness and sometimes friendlyness but, after meeting new people, most of them would ask me "And, when do you go back home?".

I wouldn't read too much into it. I'm white (living in Austria) and I also get a lot of questions like that from people I just met (although it's normally "do you want to go back home?" rather than "when are you going home?").

I think that in countries for which immigration is a relatively new phenomenon (unlike the US/Canada/Australia/etc) people are in some unconscious way more reluctant to believe that it's actually possible for people to move to another country.

EDIT: how do I quote?

[binarray2000]

Last big immigration wave is happening in Germany for almost 50 years (Austria is probably similar) and, considering negative birthrate, it's clear that in a few decades there will be less Germans (or Japanese, as both countries - ironically - lead the statistic). Under these circumstances, it doesn't seem logical to (still) ask foreigners dumb questions.

Not a few of those who asked me that question (or the version you quoted) have lived in other countries and are otherwise open minded. Still, probably subconsciously, they see someone (even if s/he's white) as some kind of different person. Yes, US/CAN/AUS are different and that's why their birthrate is sinking but it will not get negative in the coming decades.

[guruz]

I'm from Germany and can tell you: It means that person is interested in you, your life and your background. It does NOT mean "go home!". Also, Germans probably don't expect that other people like it there.

[binarray2000]

> It means that person is interested in you, your life and your background. It does NOT mean "go home!".

It doesn't mean "go home!", it's much subtler. But it surely does NOT show "interested in you, your life and your background".

> Germans probably don't expect that other people like it there.

(Danke für die Vorlage) If you live abroad a quick test for you: Imagine, in the country where you live, you get asked the same question(s)? How would you feel? And then (on the top of that) one of the natives even says we "don't expect that you like it here". Quite subtle...

[guruz]

you are paranoid, dude :)

[binarray2000]

Whatever...