|
Living here and being married to a Japanese has given me the opportunity to delve deeper into understanding the differences between the western and asian, particularly Japanese, mindset. Just today, the wife and I were talking about our ways of telling each other our needs. I said she needed to tell me what she wanted since reading her mind is, well, impossible. I know I know, that’s a typical male / female problem residing in the inherent inability for the male species to recognize that the opposite sex is more interested in “what should be done” rather than “this is how we are going to do it”. But I think there is just a little more involved here in Japan. Japanese have an innate understanding of what is expected of each other. It’s almost like telepathy. Unspoken requests are often easily understood. For example, my wife often times comes into my office and says she’s going shopping. I understand ”I’m going shopping, do you need anything?” Well, today I learned that she was asking me if I wanted to go shopping with her. Ahaaaa. She means to say “ikimashouka?” Which is “Shall we go?” The question is in the WAY she says it. In turn, I am supposed to reply “ikouka?” and her reply is then “mmm”; the OTHER sound I will talk about later which in this case means “yes.” So what I have learned today is that I am to analyze my work load and see if there is enough time to spend with the family and then respond with a question thus giving here the ability to say “oh, are you busy?” Hmmm… I’ll try it. You must be logged in to post a comment. |
|
No problem. Glad to hear from you. I hope you can join our little circle of friends who are curious about living in this country of mystery.
so uhm yeah, greetings from an half irish half arabic guy that lives in germany! ah and start making more podcasts, like 3 a week 
it was still good 
:?:
I'm sorry. It was my fault.:
Meyer's Briggs...ENTJ:
The ride up slows down...lessons learned:
DJ and Shamisen:
World's oldest man turns 113:
Things are looking better...but:
I just get sick now - alcohol:
Is it worth it to go to Japan?:
Podcast Episode #89:
16 things it takes most of us 50 years to learn:
Sex doesn't sell in Japan?:
They treat me like a child...why?:
Podcast Episode #88:
Anki - Studying Japanese - Motivation:
What's goin' on....: