Which outfit for graduation?

**CDNSushi** · 4th March 10, 10:59 AM

Well, it's true. "gaikokujin" do stand out no matter what, for the large part. (BTW, for many people the word "gaijin" is considered derogatory and is often used pejoratively. I wouldn't use it. Gaikokujin is the commonly acceptable term).

As far as the wearing of white versus black goes, a lot of it has to do with the fact that modern Japan has adapted many Western customs. E.g. all black at funerals, bride wears white at weddings, etc. But that refers also to the overall outfit.

For men, the difference between a wedding outfit and funeral outfit (if you're a guest) is the color of the tie. At weddings, it's a white tie, at funerals, it's a black tie.

At happy occasions, pastels are also acceptable -- light yellow, light pink, light blue.

Anyway, I'll try to get some photos from the event if I can.

Cheers again everyone for the advice.

Jim

**Lallans** · 4th March 10, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by CDNSushi

(BTW, for many people the word "gaijin" is considered derogatory and is often used pejoratively. I wouldn't use it. Gaikokujin is the commonly acceptable term).

Jim

Yes, but speaking as one foreign devil to another, there is absolutely nothing on earth that is not offensive to someone anymore and I was and am happy and proud in my gaijin status. Interesting to hear that white has lost it's deathly pallor though, one does see Japanese brides in white all the time but I didn't know that had spread to other items of clothing. Well, except that noone ever said that white golf shirts are bad.

What is the translation of 'gaikokujin'?

**Kilt_Em_All** · 4th March 10, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

What is the translation of 'gaikokujin'?

gaikokujin literally translates to "foreign country person." Personally, I don't go in for the whole PC thing myself, so I sometimes refer to myself as hakujin or "white person", which is every bit as "offensive", if not more so than gaijin.

-Elliott

**Lallans** · 4th March 10, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by Kilt_Em_All

gaikokujin literally translates to "foreign country person." Personally, I don't go in for the whole PC thing myself, so I sometimes refer to myself as hakujin or "white person", which is every bit as "offensive", if not more so than gaijin.

-Elliott

White person = 'white ghost' to my Chinese neighbours, another unhappy reference to death etc. I say we all just bash each other the odd time and all stay friends, as friends do. But I'm afraid I'm not fashionable in that regard.