I've got a group of close friends that are very interested in different cultures as well (one really likes China; one, Germany; one, Italy and France; ect.), and most of them like Japanese music and at least 4 of my friends think Ayu is a wonderful artist.
I've also got a group of friends that have absolutely no interest in foreign music but don't think any less of me for it.
Then I've got my family who make fun of my love of East Asia and tear me apart at family get togethers and tell me I'm not allowed home on breaks if I don't discontinue my Japanese language courses. Of course, they hate Ayu.
And then there's my (now ex)boyfriend who made me feel ashamed for liking Ayu, and when I told him about how CNN did a report on her he said, "Well, they have to fill their time with
something." He is an uncultured, ignorant poli-sci and history major (not that I've got anything against them and their opinionated-ness...). I have since never spoke of her again to him.
But overall, I try to keep it on the downlow unless I feel the person is open enough to tolerate my likes. I find people of that sort more often now in college, but no so much in high school. *shrug*
Anyone else have a really insensitive boyfriend/family when regarding Ayu??