Explaining the Name

My guru/cousin just brought to my attention the fact that it might be smart of me to explain the title of this here blog. Well, it's a phrase I've borrowed from my Japanese teacher, actually. Gaijin, in Japanese means 'outsider' or person from the outside, aka a foreigner. My teacher likes to say that Americans who go to Japan and use their American naivete to skate by, or sneak around the accepted Japanese rules are using the 'Gaijin Discount.' For example, (crappy example though it is), say you're late for an appointment, or for class, and you tell the teacher, 'Sorry, but I couldn't read any of the signs.' You have just used the Gaijin Discount.