I'm not sure what is it about us gaijin, but Japanese people seem to fear us. Perhaps because they correlate foreigners to the bombing of Hiroshima. A stretch, but still not out of the realm of possibility. Or perhaps because they see us on MTV doing things they deem wrong, inappropriate and vulgar. But Japanese people fear a face which is different to theirs, which feels uncomfortable to you at first, yet is understandable. You've seen Animal planet right? Whenever a pack of animals see a different creature, they get antsy, scared and don't wanna mingle. A foreign guy wandering in Japan - same thing.Upon arriving at the airport the staff were insanely friendly. Way more than I'd ever experienced up until this point. But still had an air of fear in their eyes as though they were trying hard as not to do anything that would provoke me from doing something they deem 'western'. Like go off on a rant, get rude, or be all up in their faces. It's strange, because the whole time they were in fear of me, I was in fear of them. Trying to leave a good lasting impression and not to say or do anything they'd deem rude or inappropriate. After all, I wouldn't have the lingo skills to try and explain myself and do damage control. All I'd be able to do is just bow constantly.