Comments on: Japanese Lessons-Part 2 http://stevecotler.com/tales/2008/03/09/japanese-lessons-part-2/ One man's squint at the metaphorical signposts, songbirds, soapboxes, street musicians, and hot dog stands of life. Criticism, lyricism, polemics, performance, and making change...all with mustard. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:23:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Steve http://stevecotler.com/tales/2008/03/09/japanese-lessons-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-159 Steve Thu, 22 May 2008 19:33:50 +0000 http://stevecotler.com/tales/2008/03/09/japanese-lessons-part-2/#comment-159 Thanks for the advice. I definitely chuckled after the fact, but while swallowing the glob of guts...not so easy! Thanks for the advice. I definitely chuckled after the fact, but while swallowing the glob of guts…not so easy!

]]> By: gordon http://stevecotler.com/tales/2008/03/09/japanese-lessons-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-156 gordon Wed, 21 May 2008 02:44:28 +0000 http://stevecotler.com/tales/2008/03/09/japanese-lessons-part-2/#comment-156 Good point! And nice to note that some Japanese execs will take you up on an invitation to challenge their guest As an omnivore who loves food challenges like yourself I have often been tested by Japanese. When asked if I like some exotic piece that obvioulsy few if any at the table would wish to join me in eating, I have often enough made use of the answer "mmm, interesting" when asked if I like it or not. In Japanese the translation is simple and the meaning comes more from your intonation and facial expression than from the word itself which has many levels of meaning as it does in English. A good natured chuckle (rather than choking/gasping) is one of the best compliments you can pay a Japanese host. Under the circumstance they will all join in on the fun. -gordon Good point!
And nice to note that some Japanese execs will take you up on an invitation to challenge their guest

As an omnivore who loves food challenges like yourself I have often been tested by Japanese. When asked if I like some exotic piece that obvioulsy few if any at the table would wish to join me in eating, I have often enough made use of the answer “mmm, interesting” when asked if I like it or not. In Japanese the translation is simple and the meaning comes more from your intonation and facial expression than from the word itself which has many levels of meaning as it does in English.

A good natured chuckle (rather than choking/gasping) is one of the best compliments you can pay a Japanese host. Under the circumstance they will all join in on the fun.
-gordon

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