>>2795234
>fake politeness and platitudes
Join a community group dedicated to some activity. Commit to it and you’ll be fine.

I did kendo back in college so I picked it back up in Japan at my neighborhood dojo. Ended up getting my first dan which is a low level but that’s not important, the important part is giving a shit and going to each practice. I did that and the nips loved me. They threw me a party when I left and my sensei gave me her dad’s old platform geta from the Showa era

They’re also very indulgent of gaijin bullshit (bad Japanese, not picking up on social cues, etc) since they knew me and knew I was trying

picrel

The moral is, join an in-group. A local dojo, hobby/sports club or even a temple/church.Then demonstrate that you give as much of a shit as any of them even if you’re a beginner. Remember, this Japan, group do thing, you in group, you do thing. I was legit surprised at how well this worked