1. You can sincerely and/or sheepishly "sumimasen" your way out of almost any awkward situation! 2. A smile! Totally the best, most international language ever! It sounds ridiculous, but I totally perfected what I called my "Japan smile." It was like 4 parts sheepishness to 5 parts friendliness to 10 parts willing to be corrected to... I think this is too many parts but whatever, throw in some parts for "sorry to disturb you" and "thank you for your kindness" and ymmv depending upon situation, and you got it.
I am so excited for you! It is tempting for me to declare that I am going back to visit EVERY YEAR EVER, but visiting makes me poor. :( So I will sit here, in my off year, and envy you! And hope you have a great trip! And if you are in any of my old stomping grounds, I hope you will give me a shout! (Nagasaki/Isahaya/Sasebo/Aino (is tiiiiiny, you will never be there, but if you are!!!) I'm always curious to know what others think of that area!
*Knowing absolutely no Japanese upon getting there... and only a miniscule amount more upon leaving 2 years later.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2012-06-05 03:15 am (UTC)1. You can sincerely and/or sheepishly "sumimasen" your way out of almost any awkward situation!
2. A smile! Totally the best, most international language ever! It sounds ridiculous, but I totally perfected what I called my "Japan smile." It was like 4 parts sheepishness to 5 parts friendliness to 10 parts willing to be corrected to... I think this is too many parts but whatever, throw in some parts for "sorry to disturb you" and "thank you for your kindness" and ymmv depending upon situation, and you got it.
I am so excited for you! It is tempting for me to declare that I am going back to visit EVERY YEAR EVER, but visiting makes me poor. :( So I will sit here, in my off year, and envy you! And hope you have a great trip! And if you are in any of my old stomping grounds, I hope you will give me a shout! (Nagasaki/Isahaya/Sasebo/Aino (is tiiiiiny, you will never be there, but if you are!!!) I'm always curious to know what others think of that area!
*Knowing absolutely no Japanese upon getting there... and only a miniscule amount more upon leaving 2 years later.