"Konichiwa" or "Hello"? Bilingual playboys have differing opinions when it comes to what language one should use when approaching girls in Japan.
I have done my share of approaching in both Japanese and English, and I must say, using English has always yielded better results for me. However, I am not a normal gaijin, so your mileage may vary. Here's my reasoning:
Differentiating Myself and Circumventing Social Expectations
I am Japanese-American. Prior to opening my yapper, I am not so different from the other 50 million native Japanese dudes in this nation. If I approach a lady with a standard Nihongo 101 greeting, I will be quickly classified as a run-of-the-mill Japanese male. Her brain will quickly toss me in a mental box with all the other Japanese dudes (most likely losers) who have propositioned her in the past. Odds are this is not in my favor, so I like to prevent this unfavorable knee-jerk response whenever possible.
If I holler at a woman by simply stating "hello", it right away reveals that I am not native Japanese. This gives me a pass on all the mandatory social expectations in Japanese culture and any negative impressions of Japanese wannabe playboys she may have.
Also, when she anticipates seeing a white dude but sees my asian mug instead, it can also be an interesting surprising. If I ran into a white female who spoke flawless Japanese, I would be equally surprised. I'd certainly remember her the next day, even after a couple of rum and cokes.
Quick Filtering and Reliable Responses
Precisely because being approached in English is out of the norm for your average Japanese girl on the street, her reaction to that approach will be more polarized. Some girls will freeze up or run away, others will squeal with delight. Either way, you have a higher chance of eliciting a reaction that even the most socially oblivious simpleton will recognize. Once you get a positive reaction, you can then proceed knowing full well that that girl is buying what you're selling.
More Action, Less Excuses
My Japanese is wonderful. Real wonderful. Hey there, everybody, come see how good my Japanese is. Even so, my English is still light years better. And I'm no master ladies' man. I still get approach anxiety sometimes. When I'm not feeling completely social, there are times when conversing in another language is just enough of an obstacle to make me say, "I'm going home". But since I mainly approach ladies with English, this reason seldom comes up in my mind.
Also, English education may be very, very bad in Tokyo, but girls will still understand you if you say simple things like "Hi!" You might as well make use of the language that you're most comfy with.
Conclusion
As with any advice, do not take this as gospel; go out and try it for yourself. Let me know how it works for you. I'd also love to know if this works for bilinguals in other countries.
I have done my share of approaching in both Japanese and English, and I must say, using English has always yielded better results for me. However, I am not a normal gaijin, so your mileage may vary. Here's my reasoning:
Differentiating Myself and Circumventing Social Expectations
I am Japanese-American. Prior to opening my yapper, I am not so different from the other 50 million native Japanese dudes in this nation. If I approach a lady with a standard Nihongo 101 greeting, I will be quickly classified as a run-of-the-mill Japanese male. Her brain will quickly toss me in a mental box with all the other Japanese dudes (most likely losers) who have propositioned her in the past. Odds are this is not in my favor, so I like to prevent this unfavorable knee-jerk response whenever possible.
If I holler at a woman by simply stating "hello", it right away reveals that I am not native Japanese. This gives me a pass on all the mandatory social expectations in Japanese culture and any negative impressions of Japanese wannabe playboys she may have.
Also, when she anticipates seeing a white dude but sees my asian mug instead, it can also be an interesting surprising. If I ran into a white female who spoke flawless Japanese, I would be equally surprised. I'd certainly remember her the next day, even after a couple of rum and cokes.
Quick Filtering and Reliable Responses
Precisely because being approached in English is out of the norm for your average Japanese girl on the street, her reaction to that approach will be more polarized. Some girls will freeze up or run away, others will squeal with delight. Either way, you have a higher chance of eliciting a reaction that even the most socially oblivious simpleton will recognize. Once you get a positive reaction, you can then proceed knowing full well that that girl is buying what you're selling.
More Action, Less Excuses
My Japanese is wonderful. Real wonderful. Hey there, everybody, come see how good my Japanese is. Even so, my English is still light years better. And I'm no master ladies' man. I still get approach anxiety sometimes. When I'm not feeling completely social, there are times when conversing in another language is just enough of an obstacle to make me say, "I'm going home". But since I mainly approach ladies with English, this reason seldom comes up in my mind.
Also, English education may be very, very bad in Tokyo, but girls will still understand you if you say simple things like "Hi!" You might as well make use of the language that you're most comfy with.
Conclusion
As with any advice, do not take this as gospel; go out and try it for yourself. Let me know how it works for you. I'd also love to know if this works for bilinguals in other countries.
About the Author:
Girls in Tokyo can be tricky. They certainly were to me, and I'm Japanese-American. Fortunately, I figured out how to lead a life of romantic abundance in the land of the rising sun. Learn everything I wish I'd known back when I was a college graduate on my blog about getting girls in Tokyo.
No comments :
Post a Comment