What is in your cup?

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

When asking something of a Japanese, and they say 'hmmm... that would be a bit difficult,' most American business people would say something like, 'OK, how can I make it easier, perhaps expedite it?' not realizing that what the Japanese really meant was 'There is absolutely no bloody way in hell of this EVER happening in your lifetime or mine!' He just said it in a more polite way.

I suspect Americans have similar problems with English understatement and self-deprecation.

Coke Zero in my cup. I'm partial to a Coke Zero, now and then.

[VydorScope]

Yeah, ok, note to self - Bring your katanas if you visit Japan - you might need them!

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I suspect Americans have similar problems with English understatement and self-deprecation.

I have quite a bit of experience talking with folk in various parts of the British Isles. It is quite entertaining, esply with the words that are pronounced/spelled exactly the same way, but have wildly different meanings...I'll never forget the first time some one told me they were heading to the store to buy some "fags" is a more tame example.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by VydorScope

Yeah, ok, note to self - Bring your katanas if you visit Japan - you might need them!

Bring your magic armor too. These kids start practicing kendo in elementary school. By the time they reach college teams, they are smooth and fast. Most seem to lack creative strategy but make up for it with accuracy and speed. I have a friend who makes 1,000 cuts EVERY day, and has for the past 55+ years. You should see this fellow's arms and shoulders!

Just time for a small glass of lime juice and then bed... if I can get my lips to un-pucker.


Stitchawl

[ProfCrash]

Rooibos Lemon. Doctors at 2:30, fever last night. No voice for two day.

[cromag]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

...
Even after almost 20 years together, my wife and I often find that we are not 'communicating' on the same channel. We will both look at the same situation and see very different things. Then when we try to talk about them, the cultural language problems emerge and it often becomes a huge mix up.
...
Stitchawl

I have similar cultural problems with my wife. She's from Kansas.

Good luck, ProfCrash!

A quick tea and I'm off to see the horses!

[dreams]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

Rooibos Lemon. Doctors at 2:30, fever last night. No voice for two day.

I hope you will be better.

Decaf Sumatra in my cup.

[badgoodDeb]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

Rooibos Lemon. Doctors at 2:30, fever last night. No voice for two day.

What does the baby think of a mommy who can't talk? Does he react oddly?

[ProfCrash]

He seems oblivious and is chatting more. I cannot wait for spring. This winter has sucked hard.

Cranberry juice and off to change a diaper.

[Stitchawl]

I'll light the fire
You put the flowers in the vase
That you bought today

Our house is a very, very fine house
With two cats in the yard
Life used to be so hard
Now everything is easy
'Cause of you

( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm-q0ELuk1A )

Good morning, everyone! The house is almost done! One more shoji to paper, a few more upper walls to scrub, then it's off to the shop for some silk flowers to decorate a bit... Mr. Estate Agent... Bring on the customers!

There is East India Company's "Royal Breakfast" tea in my mug today, and some home-made pita bread with Za'atar/olive oil on top, and a few Kalamata olives and hummus beside it. A good way to start the day!

Originally Posted by cromag

I have similar cultural problems with my wife. She's from Kansas.

Having lived a while in Junction City, Kansas, I can fully understand you dilemma! All those Tin Men, Scarecrows, little dogs, nasty old ladies on bicycles, etc., etc. It can be SOOOOO trying at times!

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I cannot wait for spring. This winter has sucked hard.

This has NOT been a good winter for you at all! I'm sure next one will be better! And Spring is just around the corner, so get well quickly so you can take Lucas out jogging with you!

One more cup of tea, then work, work, work!

Stitchawl

[wyndslash]

Being a mommy is hard work

[ProfCrash]

Spring will be nice. Walks, hikes, and softball.

Pneumonia twice, asthma, rotovirus,whatever virus I have now. I started the winter taking vitamins. I'll end the winter on four drugs and a nebulizer. I knew my immune system was going to weak after giving birth but this is nuts.

[maianhvk]

So Stitchawl, everything in Shogun is still true? To some extent? Like, it's still necessary to belch after eating?

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by maianhvk

So Stitchawl, everything in Shogun is still true? To some extent? Like, it's still necessary to belch after eating?

Pretty much so. While it's not 'necessary' to belch, it isn't considered bad manners the way it is in so many other cultures. And much of the polite interaction, even among enemies (business or otherwise) is still practiced. As in "Please excuse me, but my Oyabun has instructed me to cut off your right hand. I will try not to make a mess." Police have captured criminals who have been surprised during a crime or a fight because they ran off without putting their shoes back on first... Of course they took them off before entering the house to rob it... A woman always pours tea or sake for a man... You must always address someone as '-san,' '-sama,' '-chan' (for a child,) or '-sensei' and almost always in the third person; asking me 'would Steve-san' like a cup of tea? rather then 'would you like a cup of tea. In face, just to 'save face' in case I didn't want one, I would be asked "wouldn't Steve-san like a cup of tea" rather than presuming that I would... This is a BIZARRE country!

It's the most difficult culture to deal with that I have ever encountered in all my travels.

Women get angry if you hold the door open for them, people will stop to talk at the entrance to an escalator, having dinner with friends in a restaurant means that everyone 'may' get their food at very different times, and that's OK. No one waits until everyone is served. Little children are allowed to run amuck in department stores and supermarkets, tearing up and down the isles screaming with joy...If mother were to scold them, it would mean she hasn't properly disciplined them already, so she does nothing. And that's the norm. Besides, here, it is the school teacher's responsibility to teach the children manners and good behavior.

I think I'm ready to go back to Thailand.

More tea please, wife. (I should beat her. She should have been attentive enough to notice my cup was just about empty...)

Spoiler:

I'd try, too, but she'd beat the crap outta me! 4'11" tall...128cm... but don't mess with her...

Stitchawl

[Iridal]

On the down side: I don't think I have ever been more tired, I have a contact allergy on my hands and it itches like crazy (and I'm not allowed to scratch or even rub my hands AND I WANT TO SCRATCH SO BAD!), my throat is sore, my nose and sinuses are filled with an endless amount of yucky green stuff. I feel miserable.

On the plus side: Daylight War (Peter Brett - Demon Cycle book 3) has finally arrived yesterday! 800 pages filled with fighting and demon ichor to get through! And I have a coffee in my cup, which is keeping me alive at the moment. Barely ...