Comments on: Return Envelope http://xn--ick4b7a7i.net/wordpress/2010/02/01/return-envelopes-in-japan/ Wed, 12 May 2010 07:01:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: digitalcog http://xn--ick4b7a7i.net/wordpress/2010/02/01/return-envelopes-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-4770 digitalcog Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:15:28 +0000 http://xn--ick4b7a7i.net/wordpress/?p=651#comment-4770 There was a guy in my Japanese class in Sapporo who was called "Ahasan". This caused all sorts of confusion and misunderstanding in Japanese because when he would say "My name is Ahasan" it would sound like he was saying "My name is Aha-san". And then when other people would address him they should actually say "Ahasan-san", which most people in my class did, but I just called him "Ahasan-kun" cause it was easier to say and he was a year younger than me anyway so it was appropriate. Another interesting moment I had when I was working in Sapporo was when myself, the vice-manager and manager went to see the 部長 (bu-chou, department head). Normally I was used to speaking friendly but respectfully to the vice-manager (who I interacted with alot) and only had very formal interactions with the Manger. (going up to him in the morning to give my greeting...such a civilised country!) Often the Manager would call out loudly in casual Japanese for the vice-manager to come over and look at something and the vice-manager would always scurry over in a most urgent and diligent manner. But when the three of us went to see the department head, the manager who I was used to seeing being hugely respected and tended to was suddenly just like myself and the vice-manager, furiously bowing and speaking in humble language to the department head. The three of us were like three young boys in the headmistresses office in school, desperate to not screw up! It really is very important to try and get it right (though Japanese are accommodative of foreigners making mistakes as they often aren't exactly sure themselves of the right behaviour at times) but when you do pull it off it produces a sort of harmony and pleasant aura, as all interactions are "correct" and everyone knows what to expect from the other party. It's definitely the best way to organise a civilised society. 頑張りましょう！ There was a guy in my Japanese class in Sapporo who was called “Ahasan”. This caused all sorts of confusion and misunderstanding in Japanese because when he would say “My name is Ahasan” it would sound like he was saying “My name is Aha-san”. And then when other people would address him they should actually say “Ahasan-san”, which most people in my class did, but I just called him “Ahasan-kun” cause it was easier to say and he was a year younger than me anyway so it was appropriate.

Another interesting moment I had when I was working in Sapporo was when myself, the vice-manager and manager went to see the 部長 (bu-chou, department head). Normally I was used to speaking friendly but respectfully to the vice-manager (who I interacted with alot) and only had very formal interactions with the Manger. (going up to him in the morning to give my greeting…such a civilised country!) Often the Manager would call out loudly in casual Japanese for the vice-manager to come over and look at something and the vice-manager would always scurry over in a most urgent and diligent manner.

But when the three of us went to see the department head, the manager who I was used to seeing being hugely respected and tended to was suddenly just like myself and the vice-manager, furiously bowing and speaking in humble language to the department head. The three of us were like three young boys in the headmistresses office in school, desperate to not screw up!

It really is very important to try and get it right (though Japanese are accommodative of foreigners making mistakes as they often aren’t exactly sure themselves of the right behaviour at times) but when you do pull it off it produces a sort of harmony and pleasant aura, as all interactions are “correct” and everyone knows what to expect from the other party.

It’s definitely the best way to organise a civilised society. 頑張りましょう！

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