This was both hilarious and weirdly illuminating. Your explanation of Nihongo Jozu as less a compliment than a kind of social “thank God I don’t have to use English now” signal made so much sense.
I have to admit that whenever I say I’m Spanish while there and someone immediately throws a “hola” or “cómo estás?” at me, I always reply with “スペイン語を上手ですね.” Until now, I had mostly thought of it as a small act of revenge. After reading this, I may have to start interpreting it a bit more generously.
Calling nihongo jozu a binary signal rather than a performance review explains a lot of interactions that otherwise feel strangely dismissive. The doctor scene is especially good because the automatic script stops being harmless once it interferes with actual communication. Your friend telling the cashier that his Japanese wife does not speak Japanese is a perfect reversal of the assumption.
Great post but oh man, the doctor's attitude feels so infuriating to me on a visceral level idk how to properly articulate it. Am not sure how I would've reacted.
May I one day become enlightened enough not to let these petty annoyances get to me 🙏😭
Haha 😆 good luck man! Yeah, I’ve come across it a lot, actually with a few doctors come to think of it. They seem to care less about making mistakes, think of that what you will!
This was both hilarious and weirdly illuminating. Your explanation of Nihongo Jozu as less a compliment than a kind of social “thank God I don’t have to use English now” signal made so much sense.
I have to admit that whenever I say I’m Spanish while there and someone immediately throws a “hola” or “cómo estás?” at me, I always reply with “スペイン語を上手ですね.” Until now, I had mostly thought of it as a small act of revenge. After reading this, I may have to start interpreting it a bit more generously.
"Getting nihongo jozued" is probably one of the best expressions I have ever came across about going to Japan. 😀
Thanks, although I’m pretty sure it’s not original! It is very much a thing though!
Haha yeah man! It took me a very long time to realise this. I went through all the phases mentioned. Be careful how you word things!
Calling nihongo jozu a binary signal rather than a performance review explains a lot of interactions that otherwise feel strangely dismissive. The doctor scene is especially good because the automatic script stops being harmless once it interferes with actual communication. Your friend telling the cashier that his Japanese wife does not speak Japanese is a perfect reversal of the assumption.
Right? It’s how I saw it!
I really enjoyed reading this, thank you.
Comment Jozu. Thank you!
Great post but oh man, the doctor's attitude feels so infuriating to me on a visceral level idk how to properly articulate it. Am not sure how I would've reacted.
May I one day become enlightened enough not to let these petty annoyances get to me 🙏😭
Haha 😆 good luck man! Yeah, I’ve come across it a lot, actually with a few doctors come to think of it. They seem to care less about making mistakes, think of that what you will!