[Haggis]

When I was in Tokyo I asked someone where the subway station was and they started running down the street saying "follow me" and took me there.

Another time we were just standing looking at our maps, looking completely lost, and someone came up to us, asked us where we wanted to go and directed us.

I was amazed by all this, you'd never get this in London. I've not met such helpful and friendly people elsewhere. Language wise you do need a few sayings as everyone goes to great efforts in the shops and hotels to greet you and be polite. Good morning, thank you and excuse me (very useful on the subway trains) is a bare minimum to be getting by with.