[English/Japanese] Things that Surprised International Students When They Came to Japan: Japanese People's Personalities (1) When I asked international students, "What kind of people did you think the Japanese people were when you were in your home country? " I asked them. They replied, "I thought Japanese people were polite, kind, and serious. But now it's a little different. They replied. So, what do international students think about Japanese people when they come to Japan? This time, I would like to talk about some of the behaviors and conversations that international students find strange when communicating with Japanese people. Social Etiquette This is a story about a Bangladeshi student. There is a Japanese person who I became friends with during break time at my part-time job. I was very happy because I had never made Japanese friends before. The Japanese person said, "Let's have dinner sometime. I was so happy that I asked him when he wanted to eat. Where do you want to eat? I asked. But the Japanese guy laughed and said he would check his schedule and that was the end of the conversation. I waited, wondering when. I waited and waited, but there was no answer at all. I wondered why. If you are Japanese, you may understand this story. When Japanese people say, "Let's eat dinner sometime," it does not mean that they really want to eat. This conversation is a kind of greeting. However, in most cases, it is not a lie from the Japanese to the foreign student, because it is often said when the conversation was enjoyable. It also implies that you might really want to have dinner together when you get to know each other better or when the timing is right. If someone says, "Let's have dinner sometime. If you are asked, "Let's have dinner sometime," you can say, "Sounds good. or "I would like to introduce you to some restaurants in my country, so please let me know when you are free. I'd like to introduce you to some restaurants in my country. What is your blood type? I often get asked by international students, "Why do Japanese people often ask me my blood type? Why is that? There are many international students who do not know their blood type. They also say that almost no one asks people their blood type in everyday conversation. In Japan, "blood type fortune-telling" and "blood type personality tests," which are not common in other countries, are often featured in morning information programs and women's magazines. Type A is serious, Type B is self-centered, Type O is sketchy, and Type AB is mysterious, to name a few of the blood type characteristics that Japanese people believe in. Some Japanese people don't want people to know that their blood type is B because they have a bad impression of it. When I tell this story, the foreign students burst into laughter. You may think it is ridiculous to judge people by their blood type, but it is true that for some Japanese people, it is used as a basis for judging others. If you are asked your blood type by a Japanese person, you may want to reply, "I don't know. Japanese people are quick to apologize A Mongolian student said to me, "Japanese people are quick to apologize. It's strange that they apologize even if it's not their fault. " Japanese people use the word "Sumimasen" a lot in their daily lives. The word "Sumimasen" is mainly used to apologize, but it is also used when you want to thank someone or call out to someone. However, this is not the only reason why Japanese people apologize more often than other countries. It is often said that the reason why Japanese people apologize so often is that they are a nation that is careful not to cause trouble to others. When foreigners see Japanese people apologizing, they think that Japanese people are polite, but at the same time, they sometimes feel as if they are running away from solving problems. However, if you get a job at a Japanese company or work part-time serving customers, you may have problems if you cannot apologize like a Japanese person. There are books on how to apologize, and even movies about it in japan. If you want to work in Japan, learn not only the Japanese language but also how to apologize. What do you think? In the next article, I will continue to tell you about Japanese people's behavior and conversation that international students find strange! What surprised international students when they came to Japan ~ Personalities of Japan people (1) ~ When I asked international students, "What kind of people did you think Japan people were when you were in your country?" they replied, "I thought they were polite, kind, and serious. But now it's a little different." I answer. So, what do international students who come to Japan think about Japan people? This time, we will focus on the behaviors and conversations that international students think "Japan people are strange" when communicating with Japan people. Social Dictatorship The story of a Bangladeshi student. There are Japan people with whom I became friends a little during breaks at my part-time job. It was my first time to have Japan friends, and I was very happy. The Japan said, "Let's eat next time." I was so glad that when to eat? Where to eat? I asked. But the Japan laughed and said, "I'll check the schedule," and that was the end of the story. I wonder when? I was waiting, but there was no reply at all. Why? I think Japan people will understand this story. The Japan person's "Let's eat next time" does not really want to eat. This conversation is like a greeting. However, I often say it when I enjoyed having a conversation, so I have no intention of being rude to international students. And it also means that you might really eat together when you get to know each other more or when the timing is right. If someone says, "Let's eat next time," you say, "That's great." or "I would like to introduce you to a store in my country, so please let me know when you have free time." What is your blood type? International students sometimes ask me, "Why do Japan people often ask me about my blood type?" There are many international students who do not know their blood type. He also says that very few people ask people about their blood type in everyday conversations. In Japan, "blood type fortune telling" and "blood type personality diagnosis", which are not often found in other countries, are often covered in morning information programs and women's magazines. The characteristics of blood types that Japan believe in are that type A is serious, type B is self-centered, type O is rough, type AB is mysterious, etc. Some people who are Japan and have a blood type B don't want others to know because they have a bad impression. When I tell this story, the international students burst out laughing. You may think it's silly to judge people by their blood type, but it's also true that some Japan people use it as a factor in their judgment. When someone Japan you ask you about your blood type, it might be a good idea to answer, "I don't know." Japan people who apologize immediately A Mongolian student told me, "Japan people apologize immediately, and it's strange to apologize even if you're not bad." I have been told. Japan people often use the word "sumimasen" in their daily lives. "Sumimasen" is mainly used to apologize, but it is also used when you want to thank or call out. But that's not all Japan it's true that people apologize more than in other countries. One of the reasons why Japan people frequently apologize is the national trait of being careful not to cause trouble to others. Seeing Japan apologize can also make Japan feel like a foreigner is running away from solving problems, while others think they are polite. However, if you get a job at a Japan company or serve customers part-time Japan problems may arise if you cannot apologize like a person. There are also bookstores on how to apologize, movies about it, etc. If you work in Japan Japanese learn how to apologize as well as the . How was it? Next time, I will tell you about the behavior and conversations of Japan international students who think it is strange!