Language misunderstandings and cultural nuance The other day at the supermarket, I found myself in a situation that has become increasingly common ever since shops stopped automatically giving you plastic bags and instead ask whether you would like to purchase one. All for the environment, of course. And, conveniently, a little extra income. Shop assistant: ‘Fukuro wa go-riyō ni narimasu ka?’ Would you like a bag? Me: ‘Daijōbu desu.’ I’m OK. Shop assistant: ‘Kashikomarimashit

Language mastery without literacy in Japan Japanese people usually assume that because I speak Japanese – more or less fluently (and sometimes noticeably less than more) – I must also be able to read it. After all, there are "only" 2,135 daily-use kanji characters. Out of roughly 50,000 in total. So surely, after 29 years in Japan, I should have picked them up by now. Plenty of time, right? One per week and I’d have finished the lot before my hairline started its slow, steady

The many meanings of “sumimasen” in daily life Last week, I talked about the British "apology reflex" – that charming Olympic sport where two strangers bump into each other and then spend the next five minutes locked in a duel of “No, I insist, it was my fault!” until someone either dies of politeness or misses their train. So, what about Japan, I hear you ask? Well, here it’s a bit different. If you collide with someone on the street, you’ll usually get a quick 「すみません」(sumim

Apologies, nuance, and cultural expectations in Japan Last week, I reflected on how different cultures handle small talk. Just a day later, I was reminded of this in the most unexpectedly sweaty way: while trying to pay for a bottle of water at a convenience store: I confidently stride into my local 7-Eleven, parched from my 37°C walk. I grab a bottle of chilled mineral water, in a bid to avert heat stroke, head to the counter and whip out my phone like a digital samurai, App

Small talk, silence, and communication across cultures I’ve just returned from a two-week holiday trip to Switzerland and the UK, and once again, I'm left marvelling at the wildly different ways humans choose to interact – or not. One of the greatest joys of travel is not just the food and the sights, but observing how people in various locations engage in that ancient ritual called small talk. So, grab a metaphorical chocolate (you'll see why), and join me on a virtual tour

Mispronunciations, identity, and communication abroad My bank has been on a crusade, encouraging everyone to upgrade to their new bank card with the latest security features. Apparently, even in a country as safe as Japan, there are always crafty fraudsters lurking in the shadows. The new card is a marvel of modern technology, combining the functions of a cash card, credit card, and debit card all in one. The catch? Switching to this new super-card is more of a quest than a q