Say what?

Greetings, folks. To make up for my week and a half absence, I've decided to do a quick second post for the week. Let's talk about Japan.

In Japan, there's something tricky about conversation. In talking with someone, there's two parts you need to know about: the tatemae, what is said, and the honne, what is meant. Japanese people are known for having indirect ways of asking you to do things. Just a by-product of being uber-polite. An example I read in one of the JET essays says that when a date says, "Isn't McDonalds kind of far?" you have to decipher if she means, "I was expecting a home-cooked meal," or "Take me somewhere fancy, you cheap-skate!" (unless MacDonalds really IS kind of far...)

I think I might have a grasp on this now, though I'm likely way off. Here are two examples to further illustrate this point.

Several weeks ago, it began to get cold. The classrooms don't have heat, so a lot of teachers started wearing jackets to classes. I didn't have a jacket appropriate for class, but the cold didn't bother me, anyway, so I kept up with my long sleeved shirts and sweaters. Then, a series of conversations...

About 4 weeks ago -
Teacher 1: Aren't you cold??
Me: No, I'm okay. These shirts are kind of thick, and it's not too bad.
Teacher 1: Oh, are you sure? The classrooms are very cold.
Me: I know, but I keep moving in there, so I'm okay.
Teacher 1: Okay.

About 3 weeks ago -

Principal: It is cold today, yes?
Me: Yes, it is.
Principal: Are you cold?
Me: No, I am okay.
Principal: Do you have a jacket?
Me: I have a coat, but it is too big for class.
Principal: Aah...

About 2 weeks ago -

Teacher 2: You sure you're not cold?
Me: Umm... no... I'm okay...
Teacher 2: Do you have a Jacket?
Me: I... no. Just a coat...?
Teacher 2: Oh. Okay.
Me: ...hmmmmm...

Last week -

Teacher 1: It is very cold today.
Me: Yes, I know. I should buy a jacket sometime, I think.
Teacher 1: Do you not have one?
Me: No, I have a... no. I don't have a jacket.
Teacher 1: Oh.
Me: *gulp*

Monday -

Principal: It is cold today. Do you have a jacket?
Me: ...... *sigh* I'm going tomorrow night to buy one.
Principal: Oh, good!


I thought I'd give this indirectness thing a try and see what happened. On Monday, my least favorite teacher (to put it lightly) told me during lunch...

Him: You should buy a jacket!
Me: I know. I'm going to buy one.
Him: I will take you! Let's go tonight!
Me: I can't tonight... I have a lot to do *indirect indirect indirect*
Him: What do you have to do tonight?
Me: Laundry, clean my apartment, upload some pictures... take a night off, I guess.
Him: You can do that tomorro! I will take you!
Me: Umm... I'll think about it *indirect indirect indirect*
Him: Don't think about it! Let's just go! :D

I don't have the guts to tell this guy I can't stand being around him outside of the classroom, but whatever. I shrug it off and hope he's gotten the idea. As I'm leaving school, I give my little "osaki ni shitsurei shimasu, otsukaresama desu!" and turn to pass his desk. I turn to find him quickly standing up and excitedly packing his things together.

Him: Are you leaving? Do you want to go buy a jacket?
Me: Umm... tonight... uh... I can't tonight. I'm going tomorrow night...
Him: I will take you now! I will leave early!
Me: Oh... uh.... well...
Him: I will sneak out!
Me: ...*gulp* ...how long do you think it will take?
Him: We will be quick!
Me: ...well... alright... *sigh*

WHY AM I ALWAYS THE ONE GULPING AND SIGHING?? :(

So a trip that would have taken me maybe an hour and a half by train ended up taking 2 hours and 15 minutes of awkward conversation and bizarre topics... all while me being afraid of getting seen by students...

...the point is, I have a new jacket. This sucker better be warm. >:(