Language Difficulties 2: The Date

[JBS3009]

Hi everyone! Thanks for your replies to my earlier post. I really appereciated all the advice I received! Anyway, in case you were interested, this is how the actual date panned out!

3pm: met at Hachiko entrance, Shibuya station. Conversation went smoothly - that is, I pretended I understood what she said, and replied with a `sou da ne` to everything she said that ended with `ne`. This seemed to do the trick!
We proceeded to a sushi restaurant for a late lunch. The small talk had finished, and now the conversation started to get difficult. I listened for recognisable words, but ended up being completely boggled by her Shizuoka dialect. I surprised myself by getting the overall picture, and even managed to ask what she did for a job. I almost choked on my sushi when she answered `hostessu`! Oh... no!! But I think I was assured it was just a temporary thing, and I received many soft touches on the shoulder and `gomen ne` s.

4pm: Went to do purikura. Purikura crosses all language boundaries!! Then went to the Disney store. Not the biggest fan, but you all know the thing about Japanese females and Disney products, right?

5pm: Proceeded to the nearest, most romantic place I could fathom... in this case Shibuya koen. After walking around the lakes for a while, we sat down and I asked her if she would like to be my girlfriend. Was I being too fast? I received many `ii kedo` s, but she finally settled on a yes, with a smile.

I feel so lucky, so thanks everyone! And good riddance to bachelorhood! (^-^)

JAMES

[paulh]

James

now its time for you to hit the Japanese study books with a vengeance. Now at least you have a reason to study Japanese.

Its all very nice having a cute thing hanging off your arm who cant speak English but if you cant make conversation it gets very stale very fast. Not every day will be like your date and both of you will want stimulating conversation and not spend all day flicking through dictionaries and sign language or staring at the walls or each other not saying anything.

Anyway hope it all goes well for you. The fun is just beginning.

[THEDON]

Quality- maybe i should switch from the above average looking English speakers to the beautiful non-English speakers....

[Ageless]

Yeah, two thumbs up to you...so what`s the plan now-

Are you going to hit the books solidly?

-Go hard with the language barrier, it`s rewarding when you can stsrt to understand each other better...


Peace!

[JBS3009]

Thanks for your replies! Yeah, I really have motivation to speak Japanese a lot more now than I did. But, damn those text books with their desu/masu forms! I want to speak understandable, casual Japanese riddled with colloquialisms, slang, and the occasional swear word. Am I asking too much?!
Right now, we`re in the dreamy `oh wow, you`re so wonderful!` stage, but I realise there may be a desire for stimulating conversation some day from both of us, so I`ll definately try my best.
And yes, THEDON, do so... once you do you won`t go back!!
Thanks again!

James

[Guy Ginpot]

James

Your story is very sugoi. I speak no Japanese, apart from the 2 pages of simple terms my girlfriend taught me. I have some text books, and I know what you mean about the formality. It seems so different from the little I've learned from her. I figure that if you approach a potential lover as you would a potential employer, they just may treat you like an employee.

However, I've just found this book [but I'm not in Japan]:

'Making Out In Japanese', by Geers & Geers, Tuttle Publishing
www.tuttlepublishing.com

It's concise and colloquial, as far as I can tell, cheap and pocket-sized, and has a good range of small talk to street shite. Worth a look if you can find it.

Best of luck

GG

[Frungy]

I've seen some book about making out in Japanese... it's hilarious. The Japanese friend who saw it with me agreed that it was the most ridiculous thing he's ever seen. If your girlfriend agrees to make out with you after using some of this book's quotes, it's only because she thinks you're the funniest guy in the world.

[paulh]

I would probably advise that you ask someone about the usage of some of the expressions in that book. Pretty light hearted most of it but some of it can be pretty crass and vulgar if not used properly.

Comes with English translations but you want to be careful that language is used appropriately when making moves in that direction. You may want to use those expressions but you want to make sure you understand the answers you get as well and you dont offend her at all.

[JBS3009]

Yes, I actually have that and it`s sequel, `More Making Out in Japanese`. While the sequel is quite good as it focuses on romance terminology, the first is only really useful if you want to get into a bar fight.

Would it be realistic to suggest that my Japanese might improve just by going out with her? I really don`t know. I picked up a few new words just from that date. The thing is, before I could survive if I got lost in the station or something, and I don`t need to use Japanese at all at work, so I never thought I had to formally study. She is my motivation to speak now. I want to speak the way a boyfriend speaks, not textbook Japanese like at a business meeting with Mr. Tanaka.
Any advice?

James

[Guy Ginpot]

And as most girls appreciate a good sense of humour, I'm sure you'll do alright. Of course there are some hilarious phrases: "May I love you?", for example, even in English, would likely signal a quick end, or torturous beginning, to any love making activity.

Frungy
I think the lad seems to have the street smarts to pick and choose the kind of phrases that would best suit his situation. As I mentioned before, I speak no Japanese, but have been doing some research, and this is the closest thing I've seen that compares to the type of Japanese that my girlfriend taught me.

Maybe the book is shite, I don't really know. However, when I called said girlfriend in Asakusa the other night, to wish her a happy birthday, I threw a few of the phrases out to her [though nothing from the 'Lover's Language' section] to get her reaction. Her comment was that the book seemed 'very interesting' and that I should bring it with me when I come. That is all I know.

Please, if you or anyone else has a better suggestion, James is waiting. The man is on a mission. I say no more.

GG

[Guy Ginpot]

Wow. I just saw these other posts now. Pardon my redundancy.

GG

[paulh]

James

this may not be the place to give you a Japanese lesson but when I want to find out what my students want to learn I will do a needs analysis. What this will mean in essence is:

How much do you want to learn? What level of vocabulary and grammar?
What do you need the language for? What level of conversation? Just pillow talk or do you actual want to converse with her?
How much time do you have to study Japanese?
How much time and effort you want to put into it?
What skills do you need? listening, speaking or reading? All of them will take a while.

Once I know how far you want to go with the study and language its easier then to tell you what you should be doing.

You wont learn fluent japanese in a week, even a month and it will take you up to a year to get the basics down. I went from zero to level 2 of the Japanese Proficiency exam in 3 years. Level 4 and Level 3 are the basic levels of JLPT.

If you speak little or no Japanese now that is how long its going to take you. Before you can think about what to say to her you are going to have to get the basic grammar down, work on building your vocabulary and improving your listening skills. It will be like learning to walk all over again. All I can suggest is to get hold of some basic Japanese learning texts like Nihongo Kiso and start on the exercises. You will probably need to start learning hiragana and katakana etc as there will come a point where everything is written in Kanji and hiragana and you wont learn vocabulary by just reading romanji.

[JBS3009]

Thanks Paul. I`ve tried to familiarise myself with the language for about a year now. I`m fairly new here so I haven`t had much of a chance to immerse myself totally. I know hiragana and katakana, but if I was supposed to understand kanji I simply would have been given a bigger brain!

To be honest Paul, it`s not my desire to be fluent in Japanese. It`s at that point, I`ve heard, when foreigners become suspicious to the Japanese anyway! I actually enjoy English teaching and probably won`t want a different type of job, so probably wouldn`t need those language skills in my vocational future.

As I mentioned beforehand, my girlfriend is the ONLY reason I want to speak Japanese. She`s never travelled outside of Japan and never had anything to do with foreigners until this point. Therefore, the Japanese I would like to speak is the language that regular couples use here. I want to be able to have casual conversations with her without it sounding like a formal discussion between Mr. Sato and Ms. Tanaka. I gave up on textbooks because that`s the only type of language that was ever presented. So I`d rather look for some other materials - music? TV and movie dialogue? I don` t know. Besides, I really don`t want to spend my free time stuck in a book.
Any suggestions for my situation, anyone?
Thanks.

James

[paulh]

James

Obviously the language used in basic textbooks has been sterilised and cleaned up so that the learner can grasp the central grammar points and vocabulary. What you read in a text book and what you hear on the streets are two diffferent beasts. Your girlfriend will understand you if you use the language in the books. think of it as being japanese on training wheels. there are so many other aspects of language that do not get covered in textbooks but you pick up by trial and error e.g. fillers, onomaetopaeia, respect language (I wouldnt go calling her "omae" for 'you' just yet) local slang. Mens and womens language (women put a lot of 'no's' and 'yan's' and 'wa's' on the end of sentences. they may call themselves atashi or watashi. men call themselves 'boku' etc. You have to get a feel for the rhythm of the language, the intonation. For me a good way was to learn to sing karaoke. when i didnt read kanji I just got a freind to put it into romanji and then i would sing along in Japanese even though i didnt understand the words.

I can not emphasise this strongly enough but if you want to make progress you cant be half-arse about it, and that means consistent study. that may mean making your a social wallflower and getting away from the other foreigners at worker, the after work drinking parties and other english speaking groupies. I learnt japanese by hitting the local bars and talking to the locals. You learn by doing, by opening your mouth and speaking. You cant do it when you hang around with foreigners after work. Input, my man. You dont get by speaking english in your free time.

Im not sure whether she will just want to be seen a vehicle for you to practice japanese, just like we dont like japanese practicing on us. Obviously if she cant speak English theres not much argument but dont just use her to teach you new words and grammar. Shes not a trained teacher and probably doesnt know how to teach you Japanese anyway. Just act natural, let it flow and dont get too hung up about what language you speak. You never know she may be thinking the same and think she should start learning english and speaking some with you. Dont treat her as a japanese teacher but just as a person who doesnt happen to speak English, and you will last longer.

Not exactly sure what regular couples use, but to my way of thinking, english or Japanese is just a vehicle, not an end in itself. think about about what you talk about with your girlfriends back home and what your common interests are. Obviously at this stage its getting to know you stage, so its things like her job, interests, taste in music, favorite sport, what restaurants she likes, what she does on weekends her family. pretty run of the mill stuff. This leads into all sorts of other functional language such as likes and dislikes, expressing approval or disapproval, asking personal questions, making invitations, suggestions etc (why dont we.....?)
I could probably recommend the nihongo Journal which you can buy at Maruzen etc. comes with tapes and CDs and has drills from beginner to advanced.

I might also add that you may not wnat to become fluent in Kanji, but i think the more you study the language you understand how they tick, where they are coming from and how they see the world, especially foreigners. Up to now you have seen them through the prism of your language school, your students, not as regular PEOPLE. Students behave and think differently when they take an english lesson, and sometimes they become like someone else, or put on an act.

With your girlfriend you will see the real her, an ordinary Japanese, not a student, not an english groupie, and you will know something about whats going through her head when you speak and understand her language.

Just a few ideas for you.

[JBS3009]

Wow, thank you very much! That is a huge help. I live in a relatively small town in Kanagawa (though only about an hour from Tokyo), so I really don`t see any other foreigners; I guess that may be a plus in this situation, as I don`t get to speak English outside of work (and thus don`t really get to SPEAK, as yet!).

You were right, she really does want to make an effort to learn some English as well. So it`s not entirely one-way. And I definately understand that seeing her as a Japanese teacher wouldn`t be very good. Besides, I haven`t fallen in love with Japan or it`s language, I`ve fallen in love with her. So anything I can do to make this process go smoother I will.

Anyway, thanks for all your help. がんばるよ！

James

[paulh]

Therefore, the Japanese I would like to speak is the language that regular couples use here. I want to be able to have casual conversations with her without it sounding like a formal discussion between Mr. Sato and Ms. Tanaka. I gave up on textbooks because that`s the only type of language that was ever presented.


I might just add that trying to learn japanese just by listening to music or without having a basic gtammatical foundation is like building ahouse on sand. You dont learn Japanese by osmosis. You need to learn what Japanese are saying to each other, body language etc. It would be like plonking your girlfriend down in front of a Hollywood movie without subtitles. You can learn about the tanaka and satos and then once you have learnt vocabulary, grammar rules , sentence structure, verb endings, then you can play around with it and adapt it to your situation and what you need to do e.g. making refusals, asking questions, negatives etc. learn to walk before you run. People dont talk like textbooks in real life but you have to put down a gramatical foundation first as well as learn proper pronunciation etc.

[sincity]

Paul,
My God you spend a lot of time on this forum. Your wife is either very lonely or very-how shall I put it- fat. The only advice this joker needs is to wear a condom.

JBS3009,
I guess you'll be popping the question on your next date, eh? Be sure to invite us to the wedding. I love a good spread and Paul the preacherman can always use the extra bucks.

Hey, do you think she's got a hot friend for me? Maybe we could double date. I know how to "make out in Japanese" so leave all that pesky communication to me. You can just concentrate on the love of your life.

[radagast]

textbook language might be kind of awkward, but you need to learn basic grammar to communicate, otherwise you are just memorizing phrases. get a good textbook, and in addition if you want to learn slang or cool phrases get a little notebook and write them down when you hear them, check with a j friend about how they are used and try to pick up 5 or 10 a week. that and drink with j people a lot.

r

[JR3]

I'm Japanese and this is the way I studied Enligh.

1) Find a good English show in English on TV
2) Record it, watch it in English, and then watch some diffitcult parts in English
3) Record it on a cassette and listen to it at least once every day( like on the way to work till the same day of next week, when the next story is on TV.

If you just keep listening the same story again and again, you will remember all the lines and be able to say them by heart. That will help a lot. Usually love story would be good because they don't use difficult Japanese.

I studied in some other ways ,too.
Like many other teachers say, reading text book storie over and over is good ,too.



Post Edited (08-16-04 07:01)

[Mandrake]

JR3,

I absolutely agree for studying English there are a lot of good TV shows but I have no idea what is a good show in Japan. I've tried watching Japanese TV but it bores me silly.
You, being da man, as it were, what would you recommend to watch on TV?


JBS,

Good for you my man, you are the Last Romantic, dude.

[paulh]

I have been told that the anime "Sasae-san" on Sunday nights is good for learning Japanese for foreigners. Pretty easy to understand japanese and you learn about Japanese culture and customs and well. I do agree, most of Japanese TV is rubbish, but I enjoy the wide-shows as i enjoy hearing the gossip about Japanese celebrities.

Naru-ho sa world with beat Takeshi is one of my favorites too.

[JR3]

I myself, being young, watched Rosewell, Party of the Five (or Party of Five...I don't remember....), Beverly Hills and so on.....
Sazae-san might be good for studying but then you'll learn how to talk like a little kid....that's just how I think,though... You should watch the shows that are on like at nine or at ten. Those are not for little kids and would be more fun to watch.

Shows like Beverly Hills were really hard for me to understand at first (and they still are hard now,too) but I used to stop the tape at every scene and wrote down all the new expressions I heard. That seemed to have worked good.

If you keep doing this for a couple of years, you'll come to understand Japanese shows

[paulh]

The trouble with TV is 1. it is not interactive and you are a passive participant sitting on the sidelines. the language used in a sitcom is not aimed at non-native speakers. Good for listening skills perhaps, but the vocabulary and syntax is way over the head of a beginner. How does a beginner learn how to use idioms and slang correctly and in context. Obviousy if you can pick up some expressions off the TV that is good but a lot of language is also context-dependent and can not be duplicated really in a real-life environment. As one poster said, he may learn phrases and expressions he will never use. You also really need to be able to understand for gist as well- the reason many Japanese have trouble learning English is they think they have to understand every word to derive meaning. You can get the gist of what people are saying even if you only understand 50%, and this takes practice.

I think you need to consider programs that are formulaic- they have a set pattern e.g. quiz shows as they will use certain expressions over and over again.

I still have trouble understanding my wife when she is talking to her friends on the phone as I am not actively processing language myself. Listening is OK, but you have to combine it with speaking and reading and other skills etc, which TV doesnt really do anything for you, unless you enjoy talking back to the TV.

[Mandrake]

Hmm JR3,

I wish I was that patient but I'm not. Rather than watching subtitles or studying the show I like to sit back switch off and enjoy.

Personally I don't put the subtitles on, ever. I just like to let my head absorb whatever it can without making a conscious effort. I get a feeling though that Japanese people like subtitles a bit too much.

Then again I think the materials available for Japanese students studying English are fantastic and cater for a broad range of learning styles whereas I haven't found brilliant materials for learners of Japanese other than the standardized let's learn lists of obsolete grammar and words. An over-exaggeration I know, just does my head in :)

There is a publisher...forgotten the name that publishes scripts and commentaries for Japanese learners about Films and some sit-coms. I've never seen that for learners of Japanese, might be a fun way to try to learn.

Take a script of the Waterboys or Winter Sonata might be fun.

[kurogane]

YEA!

As for the casual, colloquial Japanese yada yada yada................. Forget it for now. Learning proper Japanese properly will be much more valuable in the long run. As for details, listen to my fellow Kyoto-ite and The Vocie of Wisdom, paulh.

Ganbare Ya

[Nozomi]

Congratulations! Your new girlfriend sounds really nice.
Regarding learning Japanese, I would echo what other posters have written.
Having a Japanese girlfriend is a great incentive to study but it is not going to get you that far by itself.
There is no substitute for learning the basics. It doesn't need to be painful!
Like everything else in life, you will go far just doing a little day by day.
継続は力なり!!　

Nozomi

[FLCL]

Try reading some kids books like 'Doraemon', you know, the fat card ones. Everything is in hiragana and the stories are easy (and short) to follow. Read the book over and over again until you understand everthing in it, then get another one.
You will look super cool getting it out in your lunch break at work, oh , maybe not.

Soon you can upgrade to some childish manga with the kanji in hiragana down the side, the pictures sort of help and soon you will find the kanji making the hiragana easyer to read. I started with urusei yatsura beacuse the short stories are fun and resolve quite quickly.

[kurogane]

she pimp,
Are U a F'in sexless virgin? Its called attraction, you over-rationalised F'wit. Leave the guy alone. He is sincere, and asking for advice. At least he's not boasting about flipping her over w/o the benefit of jelly. Go and abuse someone who deserves it you dried up c&nt.

[buds]

"Why were you so interested in her anyway if you couldn't even tell most of what she was saying?"
who wrote that? only a woman would write something like that
okay, i see it now... sorry
i thought the et was missing

[JBS3009]

Thanks Kurogane, that`s exactly it.
Love usually doesn`t carry a left-side-of-the-brain logic that can be hypothesised and analysed.

BTW, I dusted off the old grammar books, guess I`ll have to learn all the formalties, right?
がんばるぞ！！！

By request, we`re going to Disneyland next Sunday. Darn the Japanese female fixation with Disney paraphernalia!! Still, should be fun and I`ll make use of all the great advice I`ve received.
Thanks again!!

James

[adamface]

kurogane..

that reply to she-pimp was simply poetic.
i was moved

[imTony]

adamface,

I second that. Do you know that he requested my hand? I'm still flattered.

[kurogane]

She Pimp,
I didn't call it love, I called it attraction. Learn to read.

Quality Control?????????? You out amercianise even the most obscenely stereotyped Canadian version of the Ugly American. Not that theres anything wrong with that.

These are human relations we are talking about here, not a production line, you wizened up spinster in training. How does one start a relationship with someone to whom one isnt attracted? Through contractual negotiations based on clearly deifned rights and responsibilities, based on the probablities of mutual benefit and profitability???

I'll take butterflies in the gut, sweaty palms, paralysing insecurity, and the irrepressible sense of hope that she might help me to fly the bonds of a sordid earth where people like you ride a rocking horse to find a winner.

JBS,
YES!!!! Thats YES YES YES.
Good luck with her, the studies, and Disneyland. On that last one, Glad to hear that you are as much of a sucker as the rest of us. I can't think of a much better way to go through life.
XOX

Tony,
Sorry dude. You've been pre-empted. She is cute, has black hair, and carries a cell phone. Do you know her?
;)

JBS, (again)
DISNEYLAND?????
SUCKER SUCKER SUCKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bwoo Hah Hah Hah
Have fun, man.



Post Edited (08-20-04 21:27)

[imTony]

Kurogane,

Oh well - ours would have been one of those "stay together for the kids" type of situations anyways.

Good luck with my replacement, though. This is the one from before who is a year younger than you? I know many women like the one you described.

[kurogane]

Tony,
The kid???? We haven't even discussed the wedding cake yet!

As for The Girl in question, It's a new girl, but of a suitably close age. No need to divide by six and add three. The other one and I decided to call it off. We liked each other, but there was no tingly feeling. Fortunately, that was mutual. No hard feelings, yada yada yada ;)

[imTony]

Good to hear, good to hear.

[Morning Star]

James, I hope everything is going smoothly and that some of the magic rubs off on you from DisneyLand on Sunday.

Whatever you do, don't follow the advice of anyone on here. DO NOT learn basic Japanese grammatic structures OR learn how to properly pero-pero Tanakasan no ana. You've mentioned that *trying* to learn Japanese makes you sleepy, so don't. Japanese TV programs are poisonous and dubbed American shows are boring.

Go to karaoke with your girlfriend, follow hiragana and kanji of the songs that she sings and know enough Japanese to ask her what the meaning of the words are. If she's a good pantomime you'll pick up some choice phrases quickly and build on that.

Why do you use 'nara' here and 'baai' there and 'toki, shitara, suruto' over there? Doesn't matter, it's all the same thing...just pick one and use it all the time until you get sick of hearing yourself say it, then branch out a little bit. Find someone with a similar hobby or skill and get to know them. If you're interested in something, ask about it, DON'T open any books... you won't learn anything related to casual conversation.

She-Pimp -- Love Quality control? Love Standards? It drives YOU nuts when OTHER people call attraction/infatuation love? You know the Greeks have four different words to describe love. I use the word love to describe so many different 'love'-like emotions, Its embarrassing. I'm sure you're reserving that word for just the right occasion, though. After some lucky gent passes your six sigma tests and kaizen dating protocol, you might be able to use the 'L' word on him.

[Nozomi]

I have never heard so much garbage on foreign language acquisition in my life. It really is as everyone else has said; results come only with effort. Without a solid foundation you will get absolutely nowhere. You CANNOT learn Japanese by osmosis. Just look at all the foreigners who have been in Japan for decades but cannot string a simple sentence together. It really is a joke!

Let me give you an example. I once heard an Australian who had been in Japan over ten years use "�*なたは古いですか" to ask someone's age!! I couldn't stop laughing on hearing that.

Looking at all the foreigners who have become proficient in Japanese, there is one common link -- the fact that they have put the hard graft in at the start. It is the same with everything in life. You only get out what you put in. The same could be said for friendships, relationships, work, sports, hobbies... The list is endless. In some ways, I think teaching English in Japan makes you forget the value of working hard. It seems to me that many English teachers are looking for a shortcut for everything. Of course, this approach does not cut in the real world.

Learning Japanese doesn't have to be torture! There are many ways to learn but if you want to get good you are gonna have to put the work in. The rewards are there to reap.

Nozomi

[Jackie Treehorn]

"I feel so lucky, so thanks everyone! And good riddance to bachelorhood"?

WTF? With an attitude like that, you are going to get screwed big time, and I don`t mean laying pipe.

Seriously, this is the wrong time and place to put all your eggs in one basket. Keep this girl on hand, play the field a bit, then narrow down the competition.

[JBS3009]

Thanks everyone. Things are going well. But Jackie for f***`s sake, geez! I`m not putting all my eggs in one basket, just enjoying the pleasures of pure and simple romance at it`s best. What`s wrong with that? It`s not like this is my first serious girlfriend or anything, but why should I feel compelled to follow my John Thomas to the meat market?! I have no problems with guys who want to be players, but `playing the field` is something I`d rather not do, particularly now. Us romantic dudes are a vanishing breed, so give us a break for keeping this noble tradition alive, darnit!!

[koizumi]

not putting your eggs in one basket?


Hi! I was just wondering about the rules and regulations of a cultural visa. I`m here on the WHV until Dec. 2005, but I`d love to stay an extra year or so - mainly to buy more time to think about marrying my girlfriend here. I`m still young, so I don`t want to rush into anything.
So I know what a cultural visa is, but:

HOW do I apply for one?
WHAT are the requirements?
CAN I work a certain amount of hours with it?

Thanks for your help! Greatly appreciated. (^-^ )

James

what confuses me is that this quote was on 7/23/2004.

On 8/8/2004, you started the "language dufficulties" thread, saying that you had met and hooked up with the girl "yesterday" (which would be 8/7/2004)

So... either you had plans about marrying girl A, split up, 2 weeks later hooked up with girl B, and are now very serious,

or.... is this the same girl? If you have only been together for one month, marriage is the last thing you should be thinking about... especially if you got a bunch of "ii kedos" before she said yes to dating you.

what`s the real story? maybe treehorn had a point?

[JBS3009]

Your absolutely right Koizumi. Man, do I have some explaining to do. That was a different girl who I was not real serious with, and had I known I that I would have met this other girl, I wouldn`t have bothered. I should point out that I had actually already broken up with her before I posted that, and I`d also like to point out that marraige was and still is a concept that I was only tinkering with in the back of my mind. It was basically just a non-serious question that I wanted to ask, without any intention to utilise it. I realise that it would be totally ridiculous to get married in such a short time, and it will take a while for me to get that serious again. But if I do, it may be with this girl. Who knows. And cultural visas suck. I was confusing it with a humanities.
Anyway, I hope I`ve cleared everything up. Thanks again.

[kurogane]

Morning Star,
Aside from your troglodytic discursions on language acquisition, thanks for that. Esp. your bit about Shepimp. Nozomi got your number on language learning, though. I should know. As you may remember, I invented Japanese in a previous life ;)

JBS 3009,
You made my day. Enjoy the ride. I hope it is a long express running slowly, with no terminal station. Jackie, you are a philistine. Don't go away, though.
But seriously, How was Disneyland??? He he he

[JBS3009]

Oh, it was fun! I spent about a billion yen, but heard more "ureshii!!"s than I could poke a stick at.
She now has a sizeable collection of Pooh commodities, and I can name every major character featured in a Disney film from 1991 to 1997 (Pocahontas being the most attractive).
Kurogane, if you can think of a better way to spend your Sunday and hard-earned funds I`d like to hear it!

James

[Jackie Treehorn]

Philistine? now thats a good one!


Hey koizumi, thanks for jacking my profile picture!

Ok, an attempt at help.....JBS3009......while Disneyland is all fun and games (if you into helping that chump M. Eisner) why not check out some jazz or live music live houses, followed by/pre-empted with a nice restaraunt (not Japanese food)......or if you can cook, try to throw together a nice dinner followed by a dessert that you hand made. If you need a good no-bake cheesecake recipe, let me know. Its a bit more....romantic....

[Morning Star]

James,
It seems like romance comes at a price with this girl. Please satisfy my curiosity by upping the romance with her and leaving the wallet in your pocket. Methinks there are many girls here that cool off quickly when you aren't spending Yen like Monopoly money. Especially as a hostess, she's well versed in massaging the ego and spending your money. Just looking out for you, I'm sure you know the game.

Nozomi, Kurogane: You pious brown-nosing book-nerds. I practice what I preach about my Japanese language aquisition method. It works for me and anybody else who hates to study. As proof, every time I walk into a conbini and ask for a pack of cigarettes, the clerk tells me that my Japanese is excellent. So shove that up your collective poopers. Narauyori narero, sucka.

[koizumi]

very good advice from morning star.
unless you planning on dishing out money like this for the remainder of your relationship (or marriage) keep it low key.

if she asks for a gucci bag, run.

you did the mandatory disneyland thing, now see if she likes hanging out at your place all-day watching variety tv and polishing your knob.

[JBS3009]

Hey thanks! You may notice that I cryptically inserted a healthy dose of sarcasm when I said it was fun. But you know the maturity levels of early twenties Japanese girls is somewhere closer to early teens'. DisneyLand was a one off, let me assure you guys. I may be dumb, but I`m not stupid!
I`d love to hear that cheese cake recipe, Jackie. My current culinary flair extends only to plain rice; a raw egg mixed in if I`m in the mood for some fancy fodder. And I`m good with Pocky.
As for the language acquisition, I`d like to settle somewhere in the middle. Listening to my girlfriend, I never once heard a desu or masu or similar honorific expression. Is their any text books or other bound materials that focus on plain Japanese, not this polite vernacular I`ve been seeing previously?

[gentleman quality]

I will NEVER take a girl to Disneyland. call it lifestyle quality control.

this thread is making me so natsukashii for a time when i had a girlfriend i couldn't communicate with. dude, when you can actually talk to this girl, you'll probably end up hating her. she's not gonna be what you expected. i think this is what she-pimp was getting at.. people tend to get the ideal mixed up with the reality in situations like this.

[koizumi]

you really should learn desu masu forms
remember if this relationship lasts you will have to meet her parents sooner or later

[kurogane]

GQ,
OUCH! Lay off on the guy. He be in Luuv.

Morning Turd,
The clerk at the store tells you that your Japanese is excellent? How long have you been here, three weeks? Where the F do you live, in a hermetically sealed bubble? They all say that, you ringhead. As for language acquisition, I agree that it is a matter of personal choice, but the idea that it is ok to go around slaughtering the native lingo like you isn't what we would want to call quality advice. Stick to the stuff you know, like nothing.

JBS,
Don't let the Chicken Littles get you down. Take it slow, and try doing things that are free or inexpensive, and see if she stays interested.
BTW, plain rice does not a romantic dinner make ;)

[Morning Star]

Kuro;
I love taking a soulful dump before razio taisou, but not being called Morning Turd. Not only have I been told that my Japanese is excellent, I'm also proficient at using chopsticks and people are always surprised when I can pick up food with them and put it into my mouth, just like a native... Even better than a native! So I'm told. I didn't study how to do it, I just figured it out on my own.
I could teach you a thing or two about it, glory hound. ほんとうばかみたい!

James;
Your sarcasm was cryptic, indeed. Now I feel like a fool for thinking that you actually spent loads of money and bought presents for that trollop. As for cooking ideas, here's the perfect single-serving date recipe:
Dump out 1 package of tofu onto a plate. Dump 1 can of sea chicken on top of it. Chop some parsley and stick it on top. Sprinkle on some lemon juice and viola, a gourmets feast... and nutritious, too. Did I mention that it costs less than 200 Yen?

[Jackie Treehorn]

Lets get rockin with this cheesecake recipe. Its no bake, so perfect for your apt. without an oven! and......I dont measure when I cook, so I cant really add measurements.

Crust:
crush about 12 graham crackers or 1/3 a box. Should by almost a powder
melt half a brick of butter, dont overheat the butter
then mix together in a mixing bowl and put into a cake pan or I used a mold to make several smaller cakes. Optionally, you can add chocolate by cutting it up and mixing it in with the crust. So make the crust, put it in the fridge to set-up.

In a large mixing bowl mix one brick (brick?) of cream cheese and sugar, mix it till its fluffy and then add cream. Make sure its fresh cream and not that fake cream they sell for making frosting. keep mixing until its consistent and not too thin. now add some milk, I went for vitamin D milk, it work, and only add a little! Finally add some Kahlua OR amaretto. I have tried both.....and both taste good. Use about 2 shots worth.

Now on the oven, mix warm water with gelatin and let it set up then cool....then take this and carefully fold it into the mixture stirring and make sure there are no bubbles and everthing is even.....

finally, add the mixture into the crust and let it set for at least 24hours in the fridge. Hell, I am sure I forgot something......

Options: finish it off by surrounding it with strawberrys/other fruit and melt some chocolate to drip over the cake/fruit. Also....you can make cool designs when you pour the cheese mixture in the crust by using a powdered chocoloate......kind of like a wave effect. This cake is pretty rich....but good.

Oh! add a little lemon juice to the cheese mixture.

really, this is pretty easy.....just put on a movie and start mixing away....the next day you have a cheesecake.

[imTony]

Jackie, thanks! I'll try that.

However, I am very much in love with my cheesecake recipe that includes baking.

In addition to what you said... It sounds strange, but you can also sweeten sour cream and add a thinner layer of that on top of the cream cheese layer. It adds sweetness / tartness that is nice. Also Baileys Irish cream can make it very rich and delicious.

[imTony]

or, for extra sexiness you could make a red raspberry sauce (easy, pretty much heat raspberries and sugar, then mix) and drizzle that over each plated slice. Also a sprig of green mint leaf? Maybe we should to link to hear from the sexless marriage threads, lol.

I remember fondue worked well for me, but that's another story... ;)

[Welesley]

I suggest making her dinner it is something that Japanese men rarely if ever do for the women. Makes them feel all princess like.


Worked for me. Granted now I am married and doing it every day.

[Jackie Treehorn]

ImTony....thanks for the other suggestions....the rasberry sounds good! Sometimes adding the chocolate makes it a little too heavy, so the fruit sounds good.

Hmm...now I need an oven to bake a cheesecake.

Seriously, if you have a girl that you really like....make her dinner and dessert! (no hamburgers though!) Much better than any restaraunt!

[Nozomi]

While most elementary Japanese tektbooks deal with polite forms before the language that is commonly used among friends, I don't think it is such a major problem. It might be tough initially but after a while of using both of them, you will forget which you learnt first. I have even heard some non-Japanese using polite forms with their friends/partners. That is not nearly as strange as you might think. Switching between the two is not so complicated and I am sure your girlfriend would be able to help you with that. As I said before, with a firm grasp of the rudiments of Japanese, you can go along way. Of course, immersing yourself in books all the time is no good. You need to balance formal study with practice. But beware, the latter is not sufficient by itself. You might be become able to make yourself understood in simple everyday situations, but you will never make any progress. Your Japanese will be forever riddled with elementary grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation errors. Whatever you do, have fun!

Morning Starへ

日本語がそんなに堪能なら、日本語で投稿して�*れ！楽 しみにしています。

If your Japanese is as good as you purport, why don't you post something in Japanese?!
Let's hear your thoughts on language acquisition or another subject of your choice.
BTW, I got told my Korean is good after trying some out in Seoul a few years ago.
I have studied a little bit, but really, you could write all I know on the back of a small postage stamp. Being told your Japanese is good is no compliment; it is more like encouragement.
The non-Japanese who speak the best Japanese NEVER get told their Japanese is good.
The Japanese would be embarrassed to say such a thing!

Nozomi

[imTony]

Jackie, with an oven you can make it as heavy or light as you want. But since you don't have one, your recipe is useful.

I agree, cooking is way better.

If you have no stove, you could make pasta. Not dried stuff from a box, I mean really make the dough and cut the noodles. I do it all the time, it's great. Pasta sauces can also be made on a stove. This followed by Jackie's Cheesecake, it's looking like a fine evening.

Maybe we should start a recipes for dates thread. :)

Does anyone else really LOVE to cook, or am I just a loser?

[imTony]

Welesley,

Are you happy with that? Or should we chalk this one up as "backfired?"

[Jackie Treehorn]

I think were losers.....well not with the ladies!

Oh, for a good quick dinner.....try this

IN FRYING PAN ADD:
3-4 Tbs quality olive oil, heat
add chicken breast or smaller chicken "strips" a little salt/pepper and cook till browned both sides but make sure plenty of juices left
-Take out chicken, leave oil in pan
-set chicken on a plate

To the oil add:
1-2 Red or yellow peppers, sliced, cook in the oil till well...hell, till you like it
before finishin cooking ADD about 1/2cloves garlic chopped, chopped pitted olives and then plenty of FRESH rosemary. mix around and then add 4 TBS Balsamic vinegar and a touch of salt pepper and also put the chicken back in to re-heat. I dont think i forgot anything.

I like a side of wild rice, but thats hard to find in Japan....(anyone know where to get brown/wild rice?)

Tomato/Avacado salad is also nice too.

Jackie "cooking geek" Treehorn

[Morning Star]

じゃぁ、これからノゾミちゃんのために日本語で頑張っとるわ。

糞位

I'll translate it for you later, Nozomi, you pompous, self-edifying prig.

I know, while we're starting new topics, let's start one where we challenge each other's Japanese ability! Nozomi can start it by bragging about how no one ever tells her that her Japanese is excellent because its actually perfect. 顔がでかいな。

Jackie - my mouth is watering already.

Nozomi - だいたい全部は冗談だよ。仕事中に退屈で�*るとき、こ れは楽しみを持っている方法で�*る。

[kurogane]

MS,
Peace, my trash talking upstart friend. Rest assured that Kurogane has already forgotten more Japanese than anyone who won't study formally will ever know. For one thing, he knows that boys, even little snippy ones, DO NOT use "wa" as a post-positional emphatic. Nor do they write in colloquial forms.
例文：　朝星は「ほんとうばかみたい」とは書きました が、「本当にばかみたい」の方が正しいでございますの でご注意下さいませ

Your ability to use chopsticks, however, is truly impressive. Which end on those damn things is up, anyway? ;)
Nozomi,
Kurogane agrees on methods of language acquisition. Keep up the good work.

PS, you damn cheesecake heads,
start your own d&mn thread. Does sound delichious, though. :)

[gazelle]

You bumped a four year old thread just to say that?? LOL

And James, my how far you've come in four years lol

[Gadzooks]

The JBS of yesteryear sounds delightfully fresh-faced, innocent, and polite. So what went wrong?

Only kidding, but these early posts do capture the excitement of newbie in Japan chasing the girl of his dreams (at least, at the time), caught up in the mystery, the exoticism, and the WTF?ness of it all.

Takes me back.

Kind regards,

G.

[Pkl]

Hahaha, and James was an English teacher? His past is shadier than a mafia boss.

[gazelle]

The JBS of yesteryear sounds delightfully fresh-faced, innocent, and polite. So what went wrong?

Only kidding, but these early posts do capture the excitement of newbie in Japan chasing the girl of his dreams (at least, at the time), caught up in the mystery, the exoticism, and the WTF?ness of it all.

Takes me back.

Kind regards,

G.

So true...hat will totally be me in less than two weeks when I arrive.

[JBS3009]

Firstly, thanks Kiseki, for bumping an embarrassing 4-year old thread. Jerk!


Hahaha, and James was an English teacher? His past is shadier than a mafia boss.
Hahaha... yes. And the scary thing is, I actually enjoyed it - dancing around like a clown for the entertainment and enjoyment of 2 year old kids who could barely speak properly in their native language, let alone English. Still, after receiving my first paycheck of 200,000 yen (at 19 years old, the largest sum of money I'd seen in my lifetime until then), I remember thinking "it doesn't get better than this."

Ironically, moving to hosting didn't entail a huge shift in job responsibilities - the only things that really changed were the language I had to speak, the age of clientele, and the copious amounts of alcohol and a transformation to a nocturnal lifestyle. Everything else pretty much stayed the same, especially the clowning and tomfoolery.


The JBS of yesteryear sounds delightfully fresh-faced, innocent, and polite. So what went wrong?

Only kidding, but these early posts do capture the excitement of newbie in Japan chasing the girl of his dreams (at least, at the time), caught up in the mystery, the exoticism, and the WTF?ness of it all.
Cheers for the interesting observation, Gad. At times, I miss the old JBS. I was young, foolish, couldn't string a sentence of Japanese together and thought everything was "totally awesome" (actual words). These days, nearly 4 years after my innocence was lost forever, flashing neon lights and bouncing breasts are the only things that can really hold my attention for more than a minute.


So true...that will totally be me in less than two weeks when I arrive.
And make the most of it, son. Blissful Ignorance in Japan is something to be cherished... hold on to it for as long as you can make it last.

[Jake XXX]

haha wow, even the way you typed was different. you still seem to be one of the most positive and informative dudes on here after all that time tho, even if you are sick of everything minus the tits and neon. ;)

[The Old Man]

This thread is so funny.

JBS sounds like a more intelligent form of Supagaijin - not difficult - and sounds so young and fresh, and full of optimism with his new found japanese girlie...

'Innocence, like the soul, once left, never returns' - Walsingham

Morning Star, who is now Chris Elliot, is pulling Kuro's chain and Paulhaughty, aka KansaiBen, sounds like, well...,
Paulhaughty/Kansaiben....

[Jake XXX]

so, what happened to her?

[Account Deleted by Request]

Your absolutely right Koizumi. Man, do I have some explaining to do. That was a different girl who I was not real serious with, and had I known I that I would have met this other girl, I wouldn`t have bothered. I should point out that I had actually already broken up with her before I posted that, and I`d also like to point out that marraige was and still is a concept that I was only tinkering with in the back of my mind. It was basically just a non-serious question that I wanted to ask, without any intention to utilise it. I realise that it would be totally ridiculous to get married in such a short time, and it will take a while for me to get that serious again. But if I do, it may be with this girl. Who knows. And cultural visas suck. I was confusing it with a humanities.
Anyway, I hope I`ve cleared everything up. Thanks again.

You dont have to get married Bro.

If she is the one...you will be together for ever.

IMO.

[The Old Man]

You dont have to get married Bro.

If she is the one...you will be together for ever.

IMO.

Ehhhhh, Sinking Dodo,
Go have a look at the date on the post you quoted. Your advice, like your intellect is slow; 4 years slow to be exact.

[Account Deleted by Request]

Ehhhhh, Sinking Dodo,
Go have a look at the date on the post you quoted. Your advice, like your intellect is slow; 4 years slow to be exact.

EEEh. old dying man,

Spreading my message, not necessarily giving him advice just for him.

people here know my stance on marriage.


Old sleeping man,

No one needs to get married.

So my post wasnt in vain, i was aware of the date.
I am pretty smart...as you are aware and frustrated of.

Dont let marriage dictate your life! Its not that significant, if you a doing it for love. ;)

haha!

take care.

[YouHeDad]

JBS-About how far in your evolution of nihongo did it become apparent that you were able to get the non-easy women?

[Account Deleted by Request]

JBS-About how far in your evolution of nihongo did it become apparent that you were able to get the non-easy women?

Dude, you can get them asap, you just need to be patient and see a J girl for her individuality.


To increase your chance...learn Japanese, and dont always commute to tokyo.

And be charming etc etc..just like with any damn woman.

These J girls dont have the same code which we have to crack.

A code for the easy girls and a more advance code for the non easy ones.

Seriously bud.

[JBS3009]

JBS-About how far in your evolution of nihongo did it become apparent that you were able to get the non-easy women?

Dude, you can get them asap, you just need to be patient and see a J girl for her individuality.
Thanks, JBS.
:rolleyes:

YHD, it was around the time I grew my hair and began sporting a beard.

Linguistically speaking, I can't really pinpoint the exact moment, but it was roughly when I began to realize I could have conversations without completely boring them. Being able to make the ladies laugh through jokes and humorous anecdotes, rather than at my grammatical errors, was also an important indicator that I'd become comfortable enough with my Japanese to be to converse freely and easily and without fear of making a mistake.

Looks, after all, will only get you so far. It's when you start speaking the language that you get to go to a whole new world - a new fantastic point of view... no one to tell you no, or where to go, or say you're only dreaming.

That's right, a whole new world - every turn a surprise, with new horizons to pursue... I chased them everywhere, with time to spare...

You get the point.

[JBS3009]

you still seem to be one of the most positive and informative dudes on here after all that time tho, even if you are sick of everything minus the tits and neon. ;)
Thanks, son.

You know, believe it or not, GaijinPot (pre-2005) was actually a delightfully informative place full of friendly, helpful posters and not a flame-war in sight. I learned a lot from the guys Back Then. So if I can, in any way, help the site that once helped me, then I'll always endeavor to do it.

If I can be fcuked. And if I'm not distracted by bouncing boobies over at ero-blog.

[YouHeDad]

YHD, it was around the time I grew my hair and began sporting a beard.


Well, looks like 30 days until grizzly adams takes Tokyo by storm. WATCH OUT.

[1standarduser]

To those suggesting he learn the language.
Go for it, learn Japanese.

But don't ever speak to her in anything but your native tounge.

You still love your dog even though she never speaks right?
Sh!t, if you knew what your dog wanted to say all the time you'd love it less.

Relationships without communication are best.

[Gadzooks]

You still love your dog even though she never speaks right?
Sh!t, if you knew what your dog wanted to say all the time you'd love it less.


The difference here is that you don't need to speak with your dog, because

- you don't share money with your dog
- you don't share a bed with your dog
- you don't share meals with your dog
- you don't have sex with your dog,

Unless....?

[JBS3009]

Well, looks like 30 days until grizzly adams takes Tokyo by storm. WATCH OUT.
What Japanese woman wouldn't want this kind of hawtness?

http://www.beardologyrecords.com/images272/Grizzly%20Adams.jpg

[Marius_II]

You still love your dog even though she never speaks right?
Sh!t, if you knew what your dog wanted to say all the time you'd love it less.
Imagens wife/girlfriend/partner spending the day talking/begging for

- bowl of food
- more water
- a walk around the block to pee



Crotch-sniffing should be mentioned. Not sure were to put that tho

[Dagobah]

What Japanese woman wouldn't want this kind of hawtness?

http://www.beardologyrecords.com/images272/Grizzly%20Adams.jpg

Even I had sex with that dude.

[Hijinx]

Even I had sex with that dude.

It was his bear, you drunk fool.

[CaliPIMP.]

Hi everyone! Thanks for your replies to my earlier post. I really appereciated all the advice I received! Anyway, in case you were interested, this is how the actual date panned out!

3pm: met at Hachiko entrance, Shibuya station. Conversation went smoothly - that is, I pretended I understood what she said, and replied with a `sou da ne` to everything she said that ended with `ne`. This seemed to do the trick!
We proceeded to a sushi restaurant for a late lunch. The small talk had finished, and now the conversation started to get difficult. I listened for recognisable words, but ended up being completely boggled by her Shizuoka dialect. I surprised myself by getting the overall picture, and even managed to ask what she did for a job. I almost choked on my sushi when she answered `hostessu`! Oh... no!! But I think I was assured it was just a temporary thing, and I received many soft touches on the shoulder and `gomen ne` s.

4pm: Went to do purikura. Purikura crosses all language boundaries!! Then went to the Disney store. Not the biggest fan, but you all know the thing about Japanese females and Disney products, right?

5pm: Proceeded to the nearest, most romantic place I could fathom... in this case Shibuya koen. After walking around the lakes for a while, we sat down and I asked her if she would like to be my girlfriend. Was I being too fast? I received many `ii kedo` s, but she finally settled on a yes, with a smile.

I feel so lucky, so thanks everyone! And good riddance to bachelorhood! (^-^)

JAMES


Awwww... that was cute.
James kun, will you be my girlfriend????

[CaliPIMP.]

Ehhhhh, Sinking Dodo,
Go have a look at the date on the post you quoted. Your advice, like your intellect is slow; 4 years slow to be exact.


haha, Swimming Kiwi just got CLOWNED by the Old Man, haha.

[CaliPIMP.]

a whole new world - a new fantastic point of view... no one to tell you no, or where to go, or say you're only dreaming.
That's right, a whole new world - every turn a surprise, with new horizons to pursue... I chased them everywhere, with time to spare...

You get the point.

A whole new world for you and ME......
You are SO gay, Beauty and the Beast Theme song?? WTF?? When I rock that song out in Karaoke the girls practically unzip my pants and gobble up my ____ like a starving Etheopian.

[JBS3009]

A whole new world for you and ME......
You are SO gay, Beauty and the Beast Theme song?? WTF?? When I rock that song out in Karaoke the girls practically unzip my pants and gobble up my ____ like a starving Etheopian.
It was Aladdin, you fool.

With a lack of Disney knowledge like that, it's a wonder you get any sex at all.

And are you even daring to question the sexuality of a Grizzly Adams lookalike!?

[CaliPIMP.]

It was Aladdin, you fool.

With a lack of Disney knowledge like that, it's a wonder you get any sex at all.

And are you even daring to question the sexuality of a Grizzly Adams lookalike!?

I'm older than you. Beauty and The Beast was first to use it. Aladdin used it too. But Beauty and The Beast was first.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Whole_New_World

/ownage.

I am a karaoke and disney expert. I have 4 younger sisters. Trust me on this. I've seen every Disney movie about 100 times over.

[JBS3009]

I'm older than you. Beauty and The Beast was first to use it. Aladdin used it too. But Beauty and The Beast was first.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Whole_New_World

/ownage.

I am a karaoke and disney expert. I have 4 younger sisters. Trust me on this. I've seen every Disney movie about 100 times over.
CP, I'll allow you the opportunity to redeem yourself if you promise to read the article in the link you just posted VERY CAREFULLY.

...done? Ok, now that we know the song from Beauty and the Beast was (surprisingly) titled "Beauty and the Beast", can you tell me exactly where it says "A Whole New World" was used in the movie??

It wasn't... and I believe the ownage is mine.

JBS = King of Disney! And Gyaru Sex!!

[Dagobah]

It was his bear, you drunk fool.

Based on hair, there's no difference anyway. One sexy beast either way.

[Beagle]

JBS = King of Disney! And Gyaru Sex!!

I wonder how Disney would portray Gyaru Sex.

Is it true that Grizzly Adams killed and skinned Gentle Ben to provide himself with a new beard?

[CaliPIMP.]

CP, I'll allow you the opportunity to redeem yourself if you promise to read the article in the link you just posted VERY CAREFULLY.

...done? Ok, now that we know the song from Beauty and the Beast was (surprisingly) titled "Beauty and the Beast", can you tell me exactly where it says "A Whole New World" was used in the movie??

It wasn't... and I believe the ownage is mine.

JBS = King of Disney! And Gyaru Sex!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty_and_the_Beast_(Disney_song)

Done, ownage is mine. Never ever question my disney movie knowledge. Never.

Bottom right of page clearly states :
Succeeded by
"A Whole New World" from Aladdin

Also, go ahead and watch beauty and the beast. The song plays when the beast and beauty are joined hand in hand twirling around and sh!t... her hair is flying around, the beast smiles...

[Beagle]

The song plays when the beast and beauty are joined hand in hand twirling around and sh!t


Yuck! Eeeeeew...a Disney nasty!
They certainly have fallen a long way since Bambi

[JBS3009]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty_and_the_Beast_(Disney_song)

Done, ownage is mine. Never ever question my disney movie knowledge. Never.

Bottom right of page clearly states :
Succeeded by
"A Whole New World" from Aladdin
Look at us, bickering over a Disney song.

Still, on account of you being clearly unable to read or understand proper English, I'll take that ownage, thankyou very much.

Let me break it down for you, dawg:

"Beauty and the Beast" winner of the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1991. Succeeded by "A Whole New World" from Aladdin (in 1992)... meaning "A Whole New World" from Aladdin won the Academy Award for Best Original Song the year after. "Succeeded" = followed by.

As you now hopefully see, "A Whole New World" was not featured in "Beauty and the Beast." Now, restore what dignity you had left by admitting defeat, before this turns into another embarrassing "No J-girls have pink nipples"-esque CaliPimp Error. One more idiotic mistake and you'll be banned!

JBS = Undisputed King of Disney! And J-girl nipple pigmentation!!

[I voted for Dukakis]

Hi everyone! Thanks for your replies to my earlier post. I really appereciated all the advice I received! Anyway, in case you were interested, this is how the actual date panned out!

3pm: met at Hachiko entrance, Shibuya station. Conversation went smoothly - that is, I pretended I understood what she said, and replied with a `sou da ne` to everything she said that ended with `ne`. This seemed to do the trick!
We proceeded to a sushi restaurant for a late lunch. The small talk had finished, and now the conversation started to get difficult. I listened for recognisable words, but ended up being completely boggled by her Shizuoka dialect. I surprised myself by getting the overall picture, and even managed to ask what she did for a job. I almost choked on my sushi when she answered `hostessu`! Oh... no!! But I think I was assured it was just a temporary thing, and I received many soft touches on the shoulder and `gomen ne` s.

4pm: Went to do purikura. Purikura crosses all language boundaries!! Then went to the Disney store. Not the biggest fan, but you all know the thing about Japanese females and Disney products, right?

5pm: Proceeded to the nearest, most romantic place I could fathom... in this case Shibuya koen. After walking around the lakes for a while, we sat down and I asked her if she would like to be my girlfriend. Was I being too fast? I received many `ii kedo` s, but she finally settled on a yes, with a smile.

I feel so lucky, so thanks everyone! And good riddance to bachelorhood! (^-^)

JAMES
LOL who's the silly lil oriental now? I mean this is hilarious. :p

[CaliPIMP.]

Look at us, bickering over a Disney song.

As you now hopefully see, "A Whole New World" was not featured in "Beauty and the Beast." Now, restore what dignity you had left by admitting defeat, before this turns into another embarrassing "No J-girls have pink nipples"-esque CaliPimp Error. One more idiotic mistake and you'll be banned!

JBS = Undisputed King of Disney! And J-girl nipple pigmentation!!

LLOOLLLZ, you suck ___. You are a lying and coniving _______. While it IS true that A Whole New World was not the MAIN theme song for Beauty and the Beast, the film DID feature the song. Beauty and the Beast came out BEFORE Alladin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Whole_New_World

Bottom left,
Preceded by
"Beauty and the Beast" from Beauty and the Beast

B&B came out BEFORE Alladin.

Dude, it's in Beauty and The Beast. Just watch the movie. Here ya go:
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=EdGqVp_KydA
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=hHm_kWMoOl4

These seem to be voice overs but it was in the movie.

Beauty and the beast, fantastic movie. I still get misty when I see it....

[JBS3009]

LOL who's the silly lil oriental now? I mean this is hilarious.
It sure was. Luckily, it was four years ago and I'm much cooler now. So much so, I think I could even hold my own on the Mean Streets of Shonan now ;)

[JBS3009]

Dude, it's in Beauty and The Beast. Just watch the movie. Here ya go:
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=EdGqVp_KydA
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=hHm_kWMoOl4
CP, anyone can create movies and add their own background music. Welcome to 2001. Unfortunately, your memory is failing you, old man, and the song is not in the movie.

Here you are:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty_and_the_Beast_%281991_film%29#Songs

And here's another source:
http://www.stlyrics.com/b/beautyandthebeast.htm

I repeat, the song is not in the movie.

Sorry to say CP, but you are a complete idiot. I luv ya, but they don't come much stoopider.

Please don't make me own you again - there's no glory to be had by owning a retarded person ;)

[electricigloo]

not that i'm proud to admit that i read any of this g-rated tomfoolery (i was suckered in i assure you), but does anybody else think that: "meet by chance like patches of drifting duckweed" is a little odd?

[I voted for Dukakis]

It sure was. Luckily, it was four years ago and I'm much cooler now. So much so, I think I could even hold my own on the Mean Streets of Shonan now ;)
LOL no, it's not that hard to be cool in mah hood. just grab a fake surfboard and hang out on the beach and anyone can be the champ. so its nothing to brag about.

[CaliPIMP.]

CP, anyone can create movies and add their own background music. Welcome to 2001. Unfortunately, your memory is failing you, old man, and the song is not in the movie.

Here you are:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty_and_the_Beast_%281991_film%29#Songs

And here's another source:
http://www.stlyrics.com/b/beautyandthebeast.htm

I repeat, the song is not in the movie.

Sorry to say CP, but you are a complete idiot. I luv ya, but they don't come much stoopider.

Please don't make me own you again - there's no glory to be had by owning a retarded person ;)

Fcuk, you might be right. Maybe I got my movies confused. But I know one thing, I NEVER ever saw Alladin. But I know I saw a Disney movie that had A Whole New World in it... I blame my faulty memory in 4 younger sisters who watched disney tapes over and over and over and over....

[Dagobah]

Fcuk, you might be right. Maybe I got my movies confused. But I know one thing, I NEVER ever saw Alladin. But I know I saw a Disney movie that had A Whole New World in it... I blame my faulty memory in 4 younger sisters who watched disney tapes over and over and over and over....

This is one case where it's actually better to be wrong, rather than right.

[-=ash=-]

Hey guys!
It's crazy to see all the same people still around on these forums.
I remember reading this hmm 3-4 years ago?!
James, i thought you picked up some japanese while being here, how long has it been since you came to Japan?

[Smash]

Is that really him?

Wow. Sounds like its time for me to post my photos.


Ehh.... or maybe NOT ;)

[tora916]

This thread reads better and is more interesting than a Brazilian soap opera. And that's goin' some.

[百獣の王]

This is one of the most entertaining threads on this forum.

[Smash]

ああ　そうなんスかぁ？

[RonBurgundy]

Is that you Jackie Earl Haley?

Why Japan hasn't aged you a bit, but I thought at the end of the movie you hooked up with a J-babe?

[Campes]

Holy Wowness! I have no idea how I even missed the second revival of this thread. At first I failed to check the date when the thread was first posted and was thinking "What in the hell is going on here? Did I miss something? I'm very confused right now. I thought JBS had flawless Japanese." (and now at the hiragana and katakana part) "Oh wait, this must be some long drawn out joke going on here." haha

But yeah, the whole innocence and virginity element of it did make it sound like 2 different James eh? It's somewhat bazaar. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

[Akuma]

ああ　そうなんスかぁ？

who's the guy with the acne, sun burn and the thinning hair...that you smashy-baby?

[Gaijin 06]

5pm: Proceeded to the nearest, most romantic place I could fathom... in this case Shibuya koen. After walking around the lakes for a while, we sat down and I asked her if she would like to be my girlfriend. Was I being too fast? I received many `ii kedo` s, but she finally settled on a yes, with a smile.

I feel so lucky, so thanks everyone! And good riddance to bachelorhood! (^-^)

JAMES

My God, this is so funny. James the "charisma man" bachelor struggling with girls and getting advice from GP on how to ask a J-girl out... quality. Confirmation of the obvious, if it was ever required.

[Jon84]

ああ　そうなんスかぁ？

Why does she look like my ex?

[Smash]

who's the guy with the acne, sun burn and the thinning hair...that you smashy-baby?

Hahahah!? Acne might be true, but sun burn - well thanks. I am using キャンメイクっすよ！

http://www.canmake.com/base/item_base019.html

____

John,
Why is looks like your ex!? Because you've had so many!? Oh, bragging are we! Yay, applauds to the cool guy!

RonBurgandy,
Time travel my friend! ;-)

[Jon84]

Hahahah!? Acne might be true, but sun burn - well thanks. I am using キャンメイクっすよ！

http://www.canmake.com/base/item_base019.html

____

John,
Why is looks like your ex!? Because you've had so many!? Oh, bragging are we! Yay, applauds to the cool guy!


I am confused, here's why smash, permit me to explain; I replied to you and you posted a pic, so why is it hard for you to guess who I was talking about?

Ok, once you have figured that out, how does this justify your remarks about my personal life. I had many? How would you know? Finally, assuming you have comprehended what I have written so far, it is hard to accuse me of bragging unless you forgot to say I was a while ago.

O, and finally, finally; Yes I am cool, but you don't have to tell me, I know. Could you at least spread the word so people could like me?

But, I credit your sarcasm and passive aggression. What could you be without them, Probably nothing(thats a genuin compliment)
Don't get me wrong, I am generally confused.

I am not denying that I bragged in the past and to excess or that I am cool; yes I am that filthy.

Respect.

[Smash]

Jon84,

You are just a copycat :)

http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showpost.php?p=774464&postcount=7

[paijingod]

Why does she look like my ex?

Which one?

[JBS3009]

Wow. Sounds like its time for me to post my photos.

Ehh.... or maybe NOT ;)
Maybe not, but that's certainly an interesting look you have there, Magnus. Though I never ventured (sank?) into cosmetics and facial piercings, the entire Gyaruo Gaijin thing you have going reminds me of an early 2005 version of myself.

But trust me, if I could go back in time and meet the JBS of said epoch, I'd give myself a darn good kick in the pants.

So, if there's one piece of advice I may impart, it is to embrace your foreignness. After all, we were put in Japan for one reason, and one reason only - to be round-eyed, sexy, foreign barbarians. And though 90% of us only succeed with the "foreign" and "barbarian", compromising ourselves to the extent of carbon-copying looks that are not even mainstream in Japanese society, let alone our own, reaps far fewer rewards than not doing so.

Oh, and grow a beard. You'll get more sex.


This is one of the most entertaining threads on this forum.
Sexcellent. Thanks for stopping by.


Holy Wowness! I have no idea how I even missed the second revival of this thread. At first I failed to check the date when the thread was first posted and was thinking "What in the hell is going on here? Did I miss something? I'm very confused right now. I thought JBS had flawless Japanese." (and now at the hiragana and katakana part) "Oh wait, this must be some long drawn out joke going on here." haha

But yeah, the whole innocence and virginity element of it did make it sound like 2 different James eh? It's somewhat bazaar. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
True, but I've been through more "phases" in Japan than Simon has had hot dinners. And not that I regret going through any of them, but it's finally good to find a comfortable niche that I feel suits me and my laid-back, vegetative personality while not compromising my appeal to sexy Japanese women who have tattoos and drive big shiny cars.


My God, this is so funny. James the "charisma man" bachelor struggling with girls and getting advice from GP on how to ask a J-girl out... quality. Confirmation of the obvious, if it was ever required.
My God, this is so funny. Gaijin06 - the sushi-gobbling doofus with the outdated username who is that incompetent the concept of time and posting dates are beyond the scope of his melon-like head, and whose own posts are so boring they could literally put coffee to sleep - trying so desperately to post something with an inkling of humor yet failing so very, very miserably.

How about a slow, deliberate, sarcastic clap for effort?

[Gaijin 06]

My God, this is so funny. Gaijin06 - the sushi-gobbling doofus with the outdated username who is that incompetent the concept of time and posting dates are beyond the scope of his melon-like head, and whose own posts are so boring they could literally put coffee to sleep - trying so desperately to post something with an inkling of humor yet failing so very, very miserably.

How about a slow, deliberate, sarcastic clap for effort?

A one handed clap maybe? I am sure you can find a good use for the other hand... lmao! JBS - the original Charisma Man!

[~Murasaki~]

Maybe not, but that's certainly an interesting look you have there, Magnus. Though I never ventured (sank?) into cosmetics and facial piercings, the entire Gyaruo Gaijin thing you have going reminds me of an early 2005 version of myself.

But trust me, if I could go back in time and meet the JBS of said epoch, I'd give myself a darn good kick in the pants.

So, if there's one piece of advice I may impart, it is to embrace your foreignness. After all, we were put in Japan for one reason, and one reason only - to be round-eyed, sexy, foreign barbarians. And though 90% of us only succeed with the "foreign" and "barbarian", compromising ourselves to the extent of carbon-copying looks that are not even mainstream in Japanese society, let alone our own, reaps far fewer rewards than not doing so.

Oh, and grow a beard. You'll get more sex.


Sexcellent. Thanks for stopping by.


True, but I've been through more "phases" in Japan than Simon has had hot dinners. And not that I regret going through any of them, but it's finally good to find a comfortable niche that I feel suits me and my laid-back, vegetative personality while not compromising my appeal to sexy Japanese women who have tattoos and drive big shiny cars.


My God, this is so funny. Gaijin06 - the sushi-gobbling doofus with the outdated username who is that incompetent the concept of time and posting dates are beyond the scope of his melon-like head, and whose own posts are so boring they could literally put coffee to sleep - trying so desperately to post something with an inkling of humor yet failing so very, very miserably.

How about a slow, deliberate, sarcastic clap for effort?

OMG..you are back! *jumps around with glee*

[Jon84]

Jon84,

You are just a copycat :)

http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showpost.php?p=774464&postcount=7



Lies.

And a very lonely thread. Sheeeez

[Jon84]

Which one?

The one that looks like a guy. Careful now.

[Smash]

And this is what I looked like, just 50 weeks earlier. Japan does things to you!

ね、ジョン君！

"ヘーロ, マイ　ネーム　イス　アメカジ.　ブルーアイス アンド　ブロンド　ヘア　です！
I like to but glue in my hair, and on my vans when I go skateboarding. ブランドとかカバンていう単語はまだ習っていませーん"

ね、そうでしょーねー、ジョン君！

もっかい☆どっちがスマッシュでしょうかゲーム☆をやりましょうよ！

[Jon84]

And this is what I looked like, just 50 weeks earlier. Japan does things to you!

ね、ジョン君！

"ヘーロ, マイ　ネーム　イス　アメカジ.　ブルーアイス アンド　ブロンド　ヘア　です！
I like to but glue in my hair, and on my vans when I go skateboarding. ブランドとかカバンていう単語はまだ習っていませーん"

ね、そうでしょーねー、ジョン君！

もっかい☆どっちがスマッシュでしょうかゲーム☆をやりましょうよ！

Yep, there she is again. But it seems she has had a hair cut.

[yarichin]

This thread sure is full of giggles.

But in all seriousness, that innocent point in life would be fun to return to after having my soul stolen by this damn country.

[steki47]

This thread sure is full of giggles.

But in all seriousness, that innocent point in life would be fun to return to after having my soul stolen by this damn country.

You had a soul before coming here? Sucks to be you. ;)

[JBS3009]

A one handed clap maybe? I am sure you can find a good use for the other hand...
You mean apart from providing digital stimulation to the erogenous zones of your girlfriend and/or significant other?

No, not really.


But in all seriousness, that innocent point in life would be fun to return to after having my soul stolen by this damn country.
After the amount of sin you've committed in Japan, I'm not sure The Church would have you back.

Speaking of which, two of your old pals - replete with white, short-sleeved shirts, neckties, backpacks and riding mountain bikes - stopped me the other day, complimented me on my beard, then launched into a 15-minute spiel about how the story of Noah's Ark was 100% fact. After which, they offered me some glossy pamplets with clean-cut Aryans on the cover, before asking for my telephone number.

I'd like you to apologize on their behalf, please.


OMG..you are back! *jumps around with glee*
Now ~Murasaki~... did you actually jump around with glee?

Be honest, babe ;)

[Campes]

Now ~Murasaki~... did you actually jump around with glee?

Be honest, babe ;)

I know I did. :)

[paijingod]

The one that looks like a guy. Careful now.
Is that a kōan by any chance?
Sorry, but this is getting too tricky for me.

[paijingod]

Now ~Murasaki~... did you actually jump around with glee?

Be honest, babe ;)

*Ahem* Glee is my middle name btw.

[Jon84]

Is that a kōan by any chance?
Sorry, but this is getting too tricky for me.

lol..... no.

[the_pink_tako_yaki]

while not compromising my appeal to sexy Japanese women who have tattoos and drive big shiny cars.



So now you've gone ora-ora kei?!

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

[~Murasaki~]

Now ~Murasaki~... did you actually jump around with glee?

Be honest, babe ;)

Why yes..I did. ;)..I don't lie on the internet!

[Campes]

Why yes..I did. ;)..I don't lie on the internet!

He's mine now so back off!

[Smash]

He's mine now so back off!

。。。。。　独り言なのか？

[JBS3009]

I know I did.
Thanks, C-tent.

So, how's things on the Dating Front? Hope you're keeping away from the Crazy Wimmins... even if spectacularly round boobies are involved. After all, spherical mammaries - although wonderful - are no substitute for mental stablity.

Usually aren't.


。。。。。　独り言なのか？
I cracked a smile... briefly.

Still, well done.


*Ahem* Glee is my middle name btw.
Holy crap PG, I would've thought my 2 month hiatus would be ample time for you to switch to a better avatar... so why do I find that big, fat, dork face still staring at me from beneath your username!?

(apologies if it's a self-portrait).


Is that a kōan by any chance?
Sorry, but this is getting too tricky for me.
Kōans! I enjoy doing those now and zen.

Here's one you might enjoy:
Paijingod: (approaches woman on the dancefloor) "How about a fcuk?"

Woman: "Ummm... I'm on my menstrual cycle."

Paijingod: "Great! I'm on my scooter, I'll follow you home!"

[JBS3009]

So now you've gone ora-ora kei?!

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
As in, おっら　おっら！　あんパン買ってこい　つってんだよ ！

??

No no, relax... I'm talking more the sluttily-coiffed psuedo hip-hoppers who speak in faux Californian drawls (many of whom, despite appearances, make surprisingly excellent girlfriends), rather than the Chiba-based mama-yan's with a box of Mild Sevens in one arm and an shabbily-dressed infant in the other.

Hope this helps.


Why yes..I did. ;)..I don't lie on the internet!
Sexcellent.

Btw, as a fellow purikura afficionado, have you ever taken ero-puri???

If so, feel free to upload them here.






edit:

Message to the moderators: feel free to close this thread at any time... reading your own 5 year old posts is almost as embarrassing as listen to your voice on a tape recorder.

Almost.

[Campes]

Thanks, C-tent.

So, how's things on the Dating Front? Hope you're keeping away from the Crazy Wimmins... even if spectacularly round boobies are involved. After all, spherical mammaries - although wonderful - are no substitute for mental stablity.


It's been kind of strange actually. Since I've been back, I've been very peculiar about the type of women that tickle my fancy and there aren't that many around that are that hot really, despite living next to uni at a beach town. I guess I still have my fetish in the Japanese ladies. There are I think maybe 5-6 jgirls on campus but from what I've seen they're pretty average looking and a bit weird. One of them just has this crazy look that is blatantly a red flag... a half-cracked smile with hollow eyes. All I can think about seriously his her getting all excited about giving a rub 'n' tug, but going overboard and causing blood to 飛ぶ instead.