The same friend who uses Partial Compliance to get out of doing something he doesn’t want to do, also has compiled a small list of Gaijin Superpowers. I have made my own additions to this list, I’ll publish them soon.
Azrael created the original idea through his awesome article on the Gaijin Smash, Gaijin Opticblast, and Gaijin Perimeter.
Here is the Gaijin Power of Partial Compliance, and it’s backing theory.
If you’re in Japan, you’re probably already breaking some kind of rule or social custom. Right now. No matter what you’re doing, or how. Most people go crazy before they come to Japan, and in the first few weeks of being here trying to work out the "culturally acceptable" way to act, but it’s an uphill battle - since as you further integrate into Japanese culture, you get yourself into all sorts of new situations which have new customs, regulations and rules.
You could make an attempt to learn all of these, but it’s highly recommended to just be as nice as possible to everyone, and try to enjoy the Japanese experience as much as possible.
Now, occasionally you will be placed in a situation with a regulation that just doesn’t make a lot of sense. To give you a recent real life example, I was in the gym with the PC guy (Partial Compliance theorist), and this big guy walks past with a tattoo.
To give some background, Tattoos are banned from almost all public washrooms, sentos and onsens. The main reason (as I understand it), is that many Yakuza have huge full body tattoos that intimidate and scare other people. So, a good blanket way to keep out the undesirables, is to implement a blanket rule saying "no people with tattoos may partake in our establishment". Which is really kind of silly for some foreigner with a small tatoo on his bicep - it just shouldn’t really apply to him.
Now, I can imagine the conversation between the tattoo guy, and the gym staff.
Gym Staff : Oh… I am very, very sorry, but unfortunately, you cannot use this gym. I am very sorry. Please accept my apologies, I have no excuse for my actions. (Japanese Humble attack -35 damage)
Tattoo Guy : Nah, it’s alright. It’s just a small tat. Don’t worry about it.
(Attempted Gaijin Smash)
Gym Staff : Um…. I am very sorry, but it is in the rules. (Nullified Gaijin Smash with Bureaucracy - 10 damage)
Tatoo Guy (realised Gaijin Smash did not work, attempting different manoeuvre) : So, people get upset if they see a tattoo? (Gaijin Power Partial Compliance Layup)
Gym Staff (missing the Layup) : Yes, exactly. I am terribly, terribly sorry.
Tattoo Guy : Ok. I understand.
Gym Staff (VICTORY!!!) : Thank you for your understanding. I’m so sorry.
This is where the Gaijin Power of Partial Compliance comes into force. 3 minutes later :
Tattoo Guy walks out of the locker room with a small piece of tape covering about 40% of his tattoo.
Gym Staff (Oh, shit) : Um, excuse me sir?
Tattoo Guy : Look buddy, I know you’re doing your job, I understand. Here, look, I covered my Tattoo. Pretty cool huh? (Combo Gaijin Smash and Partial Compliance -240 damage)
Gym Staff : Oh… umm… right… errr. actually…. welll….
Tatoo Guy : Seeya (Flawless Victory)
Now, the irony here is that the tape covering the tattoo draws more attention to the tatoo. However, since the Gym Staff saw that Tatoo Guy made a solid effort to try to do something to comply with the regulation, it becomes much, much more difficult for Gym Staff to win. Most people simple give up here, as Gym Staff most likely did.
There is the theory and practice behind the Gaijin Power Partial Compliance - I hope you enjoyed that.
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