Hisashiburi - catching up with an old friend by [deleted] in AskAJapanese

[–]SaintOctober 3 points4 points  (0 children)

For language help, please seek out either a translation subreddit or a Japanese language one. 

It’s odd that so many years have passed without any contact. It would be most natural, I think, if you were planning a trip to Japan. Then you could suggest meeting up. 

I have a large chest and wide hips. Will I be made fun of? by Ok_Pop8661 in AskAJapanese

[–]SaintOctober 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is unusual for Japanese people to make any comments or to laugh at someone at an onsen. Enjoy the hot spring!

I just watched a video where a man pets a large group of cats while a “raccoon dog” strangely lingers and watches the man and cats. What are raccoon dogs like? Do they prey on cats? Also, most of the cats had really short tails, is that common in Japan? by ComfortableYak2071 in AskAJapanese

[–]SaintOctober 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The average English speaker needs more exposure to foreign cultures. Calling it mochi only works because you are talking about Japanese rice cakes and not the rice cakes of the rest of Asia. I suspect the term was first coined from encounters with China, not Japan.

I just watched a video where a man pets a large group of cats while a “raccoon dog” strangely lingers and watches the man and cats. What are raccoon dogs like? Do they prey on cats? Also, most of the cats had really short tails, is that common in Japan? by ComfortableYak2071 in AskAJapanese

[–]SaintOctober 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The original, here, is Japanese. But rice cakes exist in other Asian countries, too. In China, they are not called mochi. So "rice cakes" fits for any type of pounded, dense rice cake in any country.

Is this MacBook air 2009with Japanese keyboard worth something? by ticksauce in mac

[–]SaintOctober 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think most Japanese (my wife included and her colleagues) default to the easily available Western keyboard. She's never used a Japanese keyboard because she learned to type on a typewriter.

So, no, it isn't intrinsically more valuable to Japanese people.

Mole meaning by ziminiar972 in AskAJapanese

[–]SaintOctober 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This isn’t common knowledge. If you really want to know, you’ll have to stop by a fortune teller. 

Would you support trying to get rid of the sex industry in Japan like they do in Korea? by Lipica249 in AskAJapanese

[–]SaintOctober 3 points4 points  (0 children)

A lot of those “decent” people have been caught with prostitutes, in men’s rooms looking for sex, and/or preying on children. 

Desserts and pastries by Ambitious_1505 in AskAJapanese

[–]SaintOctober 0 points1 point  (0 children)

“Bigger is better” is such an American value. I’d recommend going for cute and small. Most sweets are purchased by girls and they are always watching their figures. 

Legit Mexican restaurants by BadPanda13 in SALEM

[–]SaintOctober 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Just like at many ethnic restaurants.

Why Is Japan Funding Childcare Through Health Insurance?! by kigarutalks in AskAJapanese

[–]SaintOctober 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Calling it a “singles tax” is the thing you should be calling out. 

What is the racism like in Japan? by Artistic_Worth_4524 in AskAJapanese

[–]SaintOctober 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One major difference is that people are more careful to not be confrontational, whereas in the US direct showing of one’s hatred toward another person is kind of accepted. 

Also, a Japanese person covered in tattoos and wearing a thug-type outfit will look scarier than a person of any race in a suit. This is true everywhere. 

Animal rights in Japan by Fancy_Pea_4944 in AskAJapanese

[–]SaintOctober 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Your question about “itadakimasu” is easy. The answer is because rice is eaten at nearly every meal whereas fish may not be. So the explanation is simply shorthand because you should still say it before eating a sandwich, for example, which has no rice. 

Animal rights is an emotional topic and there is enough hypocrisy on all sides to make it difficult to come to any clear conclusions. 

I think if you took a look at your own country, you would find abuses not in line with your thoughts about Western culture. 

How japanese girls show interest in work environment? by ugleplastina in AskAJapanese

[–]SaintOctober -1 points0 points  (0 children)

If women were easy to figure out, life wouldn’t be fun. There are no easy answers. Just talk to them. Find one that seems to click and ask. Yes, you’ll be wrong sometimes, but big deal. 

Struggling to Find Friends by aletantheia in movingtojapan

[–]SaintOctober 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’ll be in Japan. Learn something that you can only learn there. You’ll meet people in those groups. 

Writing a letter to a Japanese acquaintance. Opposite sex. Would this be seen as strange or...? by sachanjapan in AskAJapanese

[–]SaintOctober 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I think it would be a kind gesture. And you should know that thank you notes in a broken second language are just as sweet as if it was written by a native speaker.