Quote:
Originally Posted by callagga
interesting story re Tokyo
One thing I find in some European tourist areas is, whilst you've spend hours trying to learn some of the language before you go, when you actually get there they often (being in the tourist area) swap to English to speed the conversation. So you kind of get the depressed feeling (on these occasions) you've tried to learn the language for nothing 
Sounds like this won't be too frequently the case in Japan than? |
That you tried to use their language in the first place will usually get you much much much better service or help than had you just been like "excuse me, English ok?"
I came to Japan knowing no Japanese, at all. I did just fine, lots of people had no English speaking ability or were far too shy to even attempt remembering their high school lessons. That said, what do you really need any language for as a tourist?? give money, take item, get change, salute.
instead of "where is (place name)?" just say (placename)? with the question intonation and then watch where they point while not understanding the words lol
Survival Japanese does make the whole trip a lot more enjoyable!
Here is a list of stuff that I wish I had known before coming!
http://www.japanforum.com/forum/japa...ers-japan.html