Shopping & Masculinity vs Femininity Post

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Hi, girls! Sup?

This week, we talked about shopping cultures and made comparisons between those of our home countries and Japan. I really enjoyed the class–especially there's a King who prefers being treated like "royalty" when shopping. 😹

Just as I said in a previous class, I am a shopping person. So I connected deeply with the topic. In China, online shopping is so advanced and convenient that I rarely did in-store shopping before coming to Japan. That's why I sometimes feel a bit stressed when Japanese shop staff try to explain products to me or make too much eye contact. Most of the time, I think to myself, "Just leave me alone..."

Regarding Hofstede's Femininity & Masculinity model (though we didn't discuss it much in class), the video was quite thought-provoking. From an emotional perspective, Hofstede highlighted key points such as the emphasis on family and work, the length of vacations, the connection with wealth, and the sympathy for the weak. 

What stood out most was his opinion that "masculine societies admire the strong, whereas feminine societies are jealous of High Flyers". This idea reminded me of『女ぎらい』by Chizuko Ueno, a prominent Japanese feminist sociologist. In her book, Ueno explores how women can sometimes internalize societal pressures and even develop resentment toward other women who succeed. Her work deepened my understanding of the emotional undercurrents in both masculine and feminine cultures.

Anyway, I look forward to exploring these topics further!

评论

  1. 匿名2025年6月16日 23:15

    I am a bit curious for girls what are some of the things that tend to be more competitive and get jealous of?

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  2. Jules2025年6月16日 23:18

    I rarely do “offline” shopping back home too!! It is not as advanced as in China, but I preferred that back in Poland a lot more. Although here, I like looking at different brands and stores, finding something new and checking it out.
    I also like the part about Chizuko Ueno! It fit right in :)

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