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waterboy
Joined: 12 Dec 2008
Posts: 5
Location: Hokkaido
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 Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 10:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Sour Grape wrote: |
Welcome to the forum.
If the chopsticks comment bothers you, a disdainful look is probably best. Some people recommend sarcasm, but it will likely pass over the Japanese person's head.
Funny you mention the fingerprints. I seem to be the only person not bothered by it. I wish the British government would do it, instead of throwing as many benefits as possible at the extended family of every asylum seeker who turns up from the hellish persecution of France.
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Thanks - I've been reading for a while, thought I'd get writing.
I know what you mean, disdainful looks and sarcasm are really tempting but not the best way to respond to an icebreaker. Generally I just explain that pretty well every town in Oz has a Chinese restaurant and that everyone can use them. |
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waterboy
Joined: 12 Dec 2008
Posts: 5
Location: Hokkaido
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| Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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| flyer wrote: |
| waterboy wrote: |
| Living in Hokkaido, I love the nature and 50km speed limits which make for great cycling all year round. |
... did I read that right?
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Yes, you did.
I live in the south which doesn't get that much snow, the main impediment to winter cycling. If the roads are dry, you can ride a road bike at any temperature; if it's snowy / icy, we go for mountain bikes with spike tyres.
It's great fun, especially on the mountain trails and small country roads. But we're not alone, there is a whole bunch of ojisan who battle along on their vintage mamacharis whatever the weather! |
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JL
Joined: 26 Oct 2008
Posts: 241
Location: Las Vegas, NV USA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:47 am Post subject: |
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| waterboy wrote: |
I know what you mean, disdainful looks and sarcasm are really tempting but not the best way to respond to an icebreaker (the "chopsticks" comments). |
That's a good point. Like everyone else, that remark drives me bananas. But it probably is meant innocently enough by those just trying to strike up a conversation with a foreigner. |
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markle
Joined: 17 Jan 2003
Posts: 1316
Location: Out of Japan
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| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:19 am Post subject: |
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| JL wrote: |
| Like everyone else, that remark drives me bananas. |
Guess I'm not 'everyone else'. Funny thing is the wife, who is Thai, gets vexed when everyone back home assumes that she can use chopsticks well (she sucks).
Mind you I do work with a guy who's been here (and Taiwan earlier) for 4+ years and still needs a fork. |
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JL
Joined: 26 Oct 2008
Posts: 241
Location: Las Vegas, NV USA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:45 am Post subject: |
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| markle wrote: |
| JL wrote: |
| Like everyone else, that remark drives me bananas. |
Guess I'm not 'everyone else'. Funny thing is the wife, who is Thai, gets vexed when everyone back home assumes that she can use chopsticks well (she sucks). |
She sucks her food, instead of using chopsticks? Wow.
Actually, the chopstick remark is only annoying when it comes across as being benignly patronizing. (Afterall, if Japanese children can be expected to be able to use them, then the 'marveling' at foreign adults using them, isn't saying much for us.) Now, I don't know what to make of your colleague and his fork, but I most certainly am not about to criticize your fairer half for her chopstick chops!
In any event, as I have already acknowledged, Waterboy aptly points out that a lot of this is just a good-intentioned way for Japanese to try and have something to say to a foreigner. I may be going bananas inside my head, but, hey, with bananas, you can make bananas Foster! |
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gaijinalways
Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Posts: 2279
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| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 4:59 pm Post subject: |
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Actually, the chopstick remark is only annoying when it comes across as being benignly patronizing. (Afterall, if Japanese children can be expected to be able to use them, then the 'marveling' at foreign adults using them, isn't saying much for us.) Now, I don't know what to make of your colleague and his fork, but I most certainly am not about to criticize your fairer half for her chopstick chops!
In any event, as I have already acknowledged, Waterboy aptly points out that a lot of this is just a good-intentioned way for Japanese to try and have something to say to a foreigner. I may be going bananas inside my head, but, hey, with bananas, you can make bananas Foster! |
Yeah, but....
If you complemented a Japanese person on his/her skill with a fork, would he/she feel the same?  |
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JL
Joined: 26 Oct 2008
Posts: 241
Location: Las Vegas, NV USA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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| gaijinalways wrote: |
Yeah, but....
If you complemented a Japanese person on his/her skill with a fork, would he/she feel the same? |
They would not. But please realize that I'm just trying to differentiate from, and give a pass to, the ones who merely are awkwardly trying to come up with that "icebreaker", as oppose to those who only will see us as big dummies. And if there is some overlap between the two, oh well. |
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