|
Korean Job Discussion Forums "The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
|
Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 10:56 pm Post subject: Popularity of Western-Style Weddings in Japan Creates Demand |
|
|
Amazing. Has anyone done something like this?
Popularity of Western-Style Weddings in Japan Creates Demand for White Officiants
Quote: |
"Tom," as I call him, is an American student in Japan who does weddings for the same reason he teaches English. Money. He says, "I'm not ordained, I'm not religious, I don't understand anything that I'm reading in the actual ceremony." |
http://pri.org/stories/2012-12-26/popularity-western-style-weddings-japan-creates-demand-white-officiants
Quote: |
Anyone can officiate because the whole thing is just for show. "Tom" says he feels ridiculous when he administers weddings, and that the only reason they hired him was because of his race: "I'm white, I'm young, and that's it. That's the only thing that they care about. I'm a photo model is what I feel like. I'm a photo priest."
An English friend got him the job. He gave Tom the priest outfit, complete with rosary and cross, along with a binder full of notes. For the first few weddings, Tom was really nervous. He was worried that he was pronouncing everything correctly, and that his English sounded "English enough."
But "Tom" soon realized everyone was nervous and confused. He says there are only a few things you can't mess up.
You need to pronounce the couples names right, the couple needs to get the right rings on the right fingers, and at the end they need to kiss at the right moment. And, hopefully, on the lips.
The only instruction the wedding organizers gave him was to smile more, clap louder, and make sure to pronounce the word "kiss" with a really strong Japanese accent. So now he says "you may kissu the bride." It helps avoid confusion.
After every ceremony, Tom strips down to his t-shirt and jeans and sneaks out of the ornate chapel through a back door. On the way out, someone hands him an envelope with about $200 in yen. |
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
optik404
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
|
Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 11:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Oh Japan, you so crazy. At least the "minster" speaks in Japanese as well. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Neil
Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: Tokyo
|
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 4:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
in other news, Germany has invaded Poland... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
NohopeSeriously
Joined: 17 Jan 2011 Location: The Christian Right-Wing Educational Republic of Korea
|
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 5:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
Here in Korea you are born semi-Christian, married Christian, and die either Christian or Confucian (or in rare cases, Buddhist). |
|
Back to top |
|
|
goat
Joined: 23 Feb 2010
|
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 7:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
NohopeSeriously wrote: |
Here in Korea you are born semi-Christian, married Christian, and die either Christian or Confucian (or in rare cases, Buddhist). |
Born semi-christian, married christian? Oh really? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|