5 Survival Skills for dealing with Japanese people

[@camdendebruin6667]

Daijobu is like saying I'm good in english. Both have the double meaning.

[@jacobmullins3644]

And yet they say english is complicated

[@bigchungus914]

The only two things I took out of this 1. Apologize tf out of everything 2. The language is confusing

[@hankaoc9532]

which makes apologize mean nothing

[@ablyssorbis3160]

#4 survival tip: Read the room. Me: *chuckles* I am in danger.

[@watarumishima7370]

🤣🤣🤣 It's actually 15°, 30° and 45° 15° 会釈 30° 敬礼 45° 最敬礼 90°? Never happens in daily life, nor Dogeza the lowest bow gesture you just described, only in the movie. Keep up with your good work!

[@soundrat]

Last time I was in Tokyo in a department store, I remember the super polite staff. They bow everywhere from bowing before a closing elevator door full of customers to bowing before an escalator full of people going up and down on them. I’m Asian-American visiting relatives for a week and I am totally impressed.

[@princess6025]

Don’t know my blood type either, I wish doctors told me without me asking

[@niino4329]

@@Peachelliver Another German here. My blood type is written down in my Impfpass/Vaccination Card, since birth. They did this automatically and it didn't cost money.

[@hiyuraono]

@@bear3s Really? I've never been asked to tell my blood type in schools/college.

[@TheChickenRiceBowl]

Every time I get blood taken I always ask what my blood type is and they never tell me. They act like it's some big secret and always make excuses for why they can't tell me. I'm getting into my mid twenties and I still don't know my own blood type. 😡

[@sofijones5048]

@@TheChickenRiceBowl The testing of the bloodtype is not included in the haemogram, which is just counting the number of cells for every celltype (plus sizing). Testing of bloodtype costs extra and it routinely done before major surgeries and of course if you need a blood transfusion. They also test mothers and newborns to avoid morbus haemolyticus in an rhesus positive child of an rhesus negative mother. If you are interested in this topic, search for "rhesus incompatbility". In general, each testing of a parameter (e.g. concentration of a specific substance; size and number of different cells) in blood, urine, faeces, etc. has its own fee and its seldom included in a "package", because for each parameter you need specific chemicals and often single use equipment.

[@KuraIthys]

I have literally no clue what my bloodtype is. My boyfriend asked me at some point and seemed both upset and surprised that I didn't know. As if it's something everyone should just know all the time. Well, I have no idea. I don't know anyone in any country I've personally lived in that's ever brought up what _their_ bloodtype is, nor asked me mine. Not even medically, like when I was having major surgery... Doesn't show up on medical forms. Nobody asks... Seriously, I still don't understand how people treat this as something you'd just know. Like it's your eye colour or the like... Feels weird.

[@eleonoreschroder6132]

Just discovered this channel! I am from Germany but have worked in Great Britain and France for almost 20 years. My daughters and I are very drawn to Japanese culture and language and like your presentation very much! Stay safe!

[@ghlscitel6714]

I did #4 several times in Japan. I was taught that some important people in the village expected it. The situation however was symmetrical. They also bowed with their forhead rubbing the tatami. This usually lasted a couple of seconds maybe 20 or 30.

[@ProtoIndoEuropean88]

One thing many people don't notice is that koreans in japan have a specific type of bowing which is putting your hands together, with a palm on top of the other hand in the middle of the belly and bowing, that is a korean style of bowing the real Japanese bowing is rest your hands onto your thighs and bowing or placing the hands next to the legs, works too

[@cathy-pz2to]

Apologize alot, so you mean they are Canadians?

[@Iwaniddou]

😂😂

[@ovechkin100]

i was about to say, my canuck frens and i would be great at numero 2

[@lisanaga9369]

Yes 😄🇨🇦

[@KichiroRama]

More like eastern Canadians

[@JanelleLynn392]

It sounds like to me that they apologize even more than us Canadians

[@catlyatasyaadella180]

Now that’s why they usually have blood types in anime characters bio. I just kinda wondered why should we know that fact like “oh ok cool umm good thing to know, in case they’ll lose much blood later in the series i guess?” Lmao

[@sebastianrubio928]

The blood type thing (I'm O+ btw), I wonder if most Japanese people realize it's not based on any science whatsoever. It doesn't hold up to even basic logic, I checked my own O type characteristics, half of the list seems to be the opposite of the other half of the list. If that wasn't enough, what about + vs - of the same type? Biologically they're different, not to mention so many other factors. You don't even have to look too much into it, you check the history of how that superstitious was formed and you notice that the founder is just another pseudo scientist.

[@rhearin5212]

I'm sure they realize it but its most likely viewed how westerners view zodiac star signs

[@chrisb103]

Yes it's total nonsense. It was invented by a Japanese lawyer about a century ago.

[@sebastianrubio928]

yeah, as much BS as the zodiac thing. I wonder though, granted never having been to Japan, how many Japanese actually buy this crap? As many as Westerners who believe in zodiac signs?

[@whattheflyingfuck...]

as a german this blood type "theory" is close to the bullsh*t the nazi propagated to underline their race theories ... it gives me proto-racist vibes

[@pinkneko13]

@@whattheflyingfuck... it's not the same thing, as they don't *judge* a person by their blood type, as mentioned it's more like a zodiac thing, there's no "inferior" blood type, not everything associated with a certain thing means it's bad. Normally I wouldn't stress this point but Japan was allied with Germany in WWII and many people still judge the japanese for it so I want to clear up at least this misconception

[@saldiven2009]

The super humble bow Cathy mentioned is called dogeza (土下座).

[@Morgistic]

"Daijobu" looks a look like the french expression " Ça va" I must say x)

[@Pressato]

7:59, positive/negative don't matter?

[@ycpchan]

Stay safe you guys of Ask Japanese!

[@pendragnx]

I still don't know my blood type

[@arcadianfox8127]

Doesn't matter, just choose one that fits you. It's like horoscopes, just lie about it, no one actually cares it's just a casual conversation for people that have nothing better to talk about.

[@dominiquerocher3188]

Love how the videographer picked a dandelion and then blew it in front of the camera!

[@Xzagobag]

That was probably the only chance you'd ever have to do the 4th bow type if you think about it.

[@garenson]

With that white dress I would not want to do it on grass too though... 😉

[@compashinpei]

I'm Japanese and I really hope that people don't take this seriously... But no.3 is actually useful if you are young and are in Tokyo area.

[@8dpopintown307]

うん。

[@idkstuff9269]

Fred Vincent :D

[@thatcringeythingyoudidin6t792]

Japanese person: *breathes* Also japanese person: Sorry

[@CC-zr6fp]

Ill be honest, I mainly look forward to the "crdrdrdrdr" sound like the one at 3:13.. by far my favorite sound

[@dinghonkim1069]

Cathy all your videos are interesting and give me a lot of in depth knowledge about Japanese culture. Tq.

[@ludicrousfunone5705]

The phrase is Bull in a china shop. I believe. But the use of elephant in a pottery shop works beautifully for this situation. (china is a colloquial word for porcelain in the UK)

[@michm7063]

Every story is very enjoyable, THANK YOU!! 90 degree bows are also for shrines (after 15 and 45 bows).

[@TimidMC]

I've seen the fourth bow in person on the street corner in Harajuku. A chinpira was yelling at a regular guy on the street. It appeared like the guy bumped into the chinpira so he dropped down to apologize.

[@sebass_9212]

Well it’s technically not the same word. One goes うん (un), the one that means yes; and the other one goes ううん (uun), the one that means no. Looks really difficult but people just use those when speaking, not when writing, and their pronunciations are not difficult to differentiate.

[@roastmaster2000]

I think the best tip is not to care too much about about what Japanese people are thinking. Often you spend a lot of time trying to work out what the other person is thinking and tiptoeing around sensitive things only to find out the the person you're communicating with is fickle, shallow and not worth your time. Especially when it comes to your workmates.

[@IWr74]

The blood types is so curious! Haha. Gintama instruct me on that one 😂

[@LA6NPA]

Not criticism, but I noticed in another video as well. Are you guys using a tilt lens, or has the lens gotten knocked really hard at one point? I mean it still works, but there's definitely a difference in focus from the left to the right?

[@alicep4588]

I'm A negative blood type. Only know my type because I had to have a blood transfusion. In the UK they don't keep a record of your blood type from birth. We only find out our types during pregnancy, if we join the military, give blood or have a blood transfusion.

[@RiderOfTheRohirrim]

We have very similar things in the Netherlands. "I'm good" can mean both yes and no as well. Same goes for "Hm". Depending on how you say it, it can be a question, yes or no...

[@X33Ultras0und]

Was actually hoping she did the 4th bow. Read the room or atmosphere means you actually have to pay attention to who you are conversing with, and not just about yourself. Which will probably be difficult as the west is mostly all about what I or you personally want.

[@KuraIthys]

Nah. I have autism. One thing you learn from that is that EVERYONE expects you to do that. (which is really, REALLY hard when it doesn't come naturally to you in the slightest) I've lived in 3 countries and visited somewhere between 30 and 40, and it's pretty similar everywhere. If you can't keep up with the unspoken things everyone puts out, you're in trouble. Oh, sure maybe some cultures are more tolerant of you messing it up than others, but... No. It happens everywhere. It's just that, most people have a natural intuition for it when it comes to their own culture's expectations in that regard. Funny thing with the idea that it doesn't happen in western culture is when I see japanese and other asians blatantly misread the room because they don't understand what they're seeing, and thus doing various things which are inappropriate. (things which I learnt the hard way, unfortunately). Or at the very least, a subject of some mockery or ridicule if you get them wrong. You assume a group of westerners have no unspoken expectations at your own peril. Trust me on that...

[@X33Ultras0und]

@@KuraIthys I think, you over thought my comment. The west is much more centered around personal opinions, and personal preference, and much less about how what I do/say can affect other people, and on how what I do would make the life of someone else easier or harder. Japan is more of a selfless country than America (for example) Yes all countries require a room/ atmosphere to be read, but it's probably much more in Japan as Japan seems like a country that cares more about trust, and even some accidents can break trust so that's probably why it is mentioned as a thing and why many western people find it hard to hold back their opinion upon replying to people. Actually paying attention to them would have you know whether it is safe to say your full honest opinion or something that would be more soft, but still convey that you both aren't of the same feather in this particular matter. You are definitely not wrong with what you said, but, one thing to keep in mind is that if you live or visit a country and don't speak the language you will only have experienced the English side, and not the true country. When in Japan do as the Japanese do. When in Italy, do as the Italians do. When in America, do as the Americans do. It's things like this that prevent you from being out casted. You do not have to follow it completely, but at least partially. Every country has bad points, bad people, and possibly bad government, but what bad points don't you mind experiencing & what good points make the bad ones worth it. *sorry, my mind was all over the place when writing this comment.*

[@AskJapanese]

What's your bloodtype? and how do you think about your personality according to this video? Me, the Director is O!!!

[@Eriolp]

I'm an O that acts like an A. How does that work in Japan?

[@DragoonZell]

XD no idea......i should get myself tested.....(probably not gonna happen anytime soon for obvious reasons)

[@GustavoSilva-xs8sd]

I'm B

[@musichead4555]

Iam a A+ i guess i pay attention to alot of things but get distracted in the process due to thinking what will be my next answer or move xd.

[@Noo795]

A+ but I don't think I am the best at being on time or paying attention.

[@krazorspoon]

This was a very informative perspective video. Thank you for sharing! Also, looked super windy out, but nice job!

[@k0248]

I feel like it's not that hard concept to grasp but bowing is still such a culture shock to me when i see people actually do it and the most helpful is reading the room because in English everything is definitively yes or no Japanese language kinda has this anti confrontational speech and tone

[@theharper1]

It's a good idea to know your blood type anyway in case it's rare. Getting a transfusion of the wrong blood could be bad, and not being able to get one at all would be much worse.

[@meganepelletier853]

It's ideal to remember it by heart, but in the event you don't or aren't able to communicate and the situation is urgent, medical staff will use O- blood, which doesn't react with other blood types (universal donor). However, in an effort to keep O- for emergencies only, medical staff will try to get your blood type if they can, wether that's from you, your files or a simple antibody test which can be run in mere minutes - it probably takes more time to gather the material that it does to run the test.

[@KuraIthys]

Ah yes. 'read the room.' That's always fun when you have autism. XD I mean, let's be real here, one of the things you end up learning to try and cope with the world when you have autism is that.. To a certain extent everyone is expected to do this, no matter the culture. But when it doesn't come naturally to you, that is a source of endless stress, and extremely exhausting. Which... Japanese culture sounds extra exhausting to me, honestly. Vagueness, indirect statements, having to guess at what people are thinking. People that say one thing when they actually mean something else... That's like a total nightmare... ... Which reminds me that I'm reading a manga about an autistic girl in japan, and... yeah. It goes about as well as you'd expect. XD It's one of those things I guess. I mean, you're trying to describe the _real_ culture here, (as opposed to the kind of fiction you'd see in anime, manga, films, and so on). But ultimately you're trying to describe something in an abstract sense. And while that can be helpful, what visiting 30-40 countries has taught me is that being _told_ what a place is like can't really prepare you for what it's actually like. I suppose the one thing I have on my side is that I'm used to not knowing what's going on in ANY culture, even those that are considered 'my' culture somehow. So, I have to work at such things anyway when I'm around people, so it's really not that much different from what I deal with in general. My only fear with visiting a country like japan in that regard, where I am obviously 'foreign', is that people see my odd, awkward behaviour and assume it's because I'm from another country, and in turn end up with the idea that foreigners are weird, rude, awkward or whatever... When in reality it's just me, and I leave that impression everywhere, and it has nothing to do with being a 'foreigner' but everything to do with me being me...

[@gelindas5196]

Hi there! Would you mind telling me the name of the manga you mentioned?

[@faith17178]

@@gelindas5196 Im exactly the same, I have aspergers so reading the air is a big oof

[@eleonoreschroder6132]

KuraIthys Don‘t worry! You will never be perfect, whatever country or city or host you visit. And any decent normal person won‘t expect you to be. As for the rest: they‘ll survive meeting you🙂 🤞

[@KuraIthys]

@@gelindas5196 It's called Asper Girl. It's japanese name is a transliteration of the English in katakana, so you should be able to find it either way easily enough.

[@dpsphil5128]

I survived by being polite, reading the room and don't care about them. Even if they are beside me laughing or gossiping. I don't mind them and don't bother caring what they are talking about.

[@Stephen-ix2ny]

How about AB+? The blood donation centers really like me.

[@ProtoIndoEuropean88]

Daijobu usually means in the negative form: "It's okay, there is no need"

[@Mjflight98]

The bowing angles an The sensing the room were interesting but i already sense everything naturally area crowds buildings tourneys an especially encountering random people

[@podcast1605]

Who is the name of the artist that made draw?, for example at 4:29 .

[@LukesYuGiOhChannel]

Only in movies.

[@KuraIthys]

I mean, you probably don't really see that 4th bow because... Really, how many people screw something up _so_ badly that they need to resort to that level of apology? And even if they do, how likely are they to do that in public? So unless it directly involves you, why would you see such a thing?

[@febrianadji5758]

05:25 Well, It's opposite of that here Single note means no Double note means yes. But sometimes also means no Anyway, I'm A, but nowhere near that "on time"

[@CreativoErratico]

n depends on which face the one saying it is doing. you can say n n n n n n and mean any of them.

[@KuraIthys]

You hang around enough kids you're probably hear things like uhuh and uh-uh and so on, which is almost the same thing. XD

[@PAIP_Studio]

I am Canadian. It seems that we share some values with Japanese culture.

[@Dwarvish_Cooks]

You have fun and interesting videos. As an aspie, I would fail at reading the room. As an O+ and an aspie, I would be the opposite to careless or carefree.

[@dawnhero6439]

Geez, where are you the garden of Eden? Haha great video :D

[@kevin4gwen]

apologizing for every little thing you do seems very Canadian 😉 since I'm Canadian I got that one down already🤣🤣🤚

[@docosm]

I saw a man bowing dogeza to an older man outside a major station plaza a few years ago.

[@wendellpiuswalters1984]

Great content and great delivery, great job Kathy with your channel. I wish you are continued success and I am a subscriber and hopefully one day I will meet you in Japan. My blood type is A positive.😚😆😂

[@Otter-Destruction]

Everybody: Canadians are so nice, they apologize for everything. Japanese: sumimasen, but that's cute.

[@fladmuse7129]

Lol when I was in Japan and I bumped into someone on the street they apologized as if they were at fault, in the US you'd be told something like "Watch where you're walking asshole" , "Fuck you" or something along those lines

[@quintrankid8045]

Director san, did I hear some Sousa? Thank you. Will there be another cooking show? I feel that my curiosity about the 4th bow that Cathy mentioned will never be satisfied.

[@gchuven]

I am an O group Rh positive. I LOVE to speak about blood groups (the correct term), but I do it from a technical perspective, as I am a medical technologist. :-)

[@borrico1965]

I find the 5th survival skill to be part of stereotyping people. It seems like a popular ice breaker topic. I hope 🤞 Japanese people don’t take it too literally. Perhaps, it’s a standard procedure at one point of their childhood to know one’s blood type. I believe, people ought to be reminded of the role personal freedom in building one’s character. Blood type stereotypes should not limit us on how we should be as a person in the future. Great video! 👏👏👏

[@izumi1532]

a: on time, pay attention me across the house: "MOTHER, WHERE CAN I CHANGE MY BLOOD TYPE"

[@jessicles23]

Haha , my blood type is b- , starsign Leo 😂

[@10nsman69]

Catching up and thank you for all the information, btw AB+

[@Lucas_Tulic]

Oooh! I'd like to travel to Japan and if the blood type question arises, telling them that I'm 'C Neutral' type, just to freak them out!

[@kevin4gwen]

O-type as soon as you said that I laughed it seems like me looking everywhere careless and klutzy

[@Mimi_international1]

I’m gonna try not to be pushy with my Japanese friend, I wish he could talk and be open though 😔 it’s kinda hurting having things the way they are. I’m blood group A!

[@BettyBros]

A type! Never been on time tho

[@KichiroRama]

Well, it's just superstition anyway. But to me those two things were correct

[@Mizukichan801]

ahahah I loved the video! thanks! :D

[@jhaz3333]

Been trying to figure out my blood type forever but my doctor office doesn’t do blood types? And I can’t donate blood cuz I’m anemic...

[@roxaslover1693]

I cant donate blood either, but I figured mine out because I needed bloodwork done. I just asked my doctor If I could find It out, and they added the test. Its not really an extra test from the one I needed but they just added that I wanted to know, so the technician could look at It

[@okiir5798]

I'm O, but from personality I'm quite opposite (more like an A).

[@arcadianfox8127]

same

[@dai96]

Same

[@Magacora]

I didn't know about the blood-type! Very interesting and useful😍 I'm a O blood type

[@TheKaiTetley]

Apologising is also very British. I grew up around English expats and Japanese people.

[@NetAndyCz]

I just get so confused when I accidentally bump into someone and _they_ start apologising to me.

[@jasejj]

I'm a Brit, and I must say I didn't have much trouble "fitting in" in Japan, much of the etiquette stuff wasn't all that alien to me. The main shock was getting beeped at when I *didn't* just walk straight out at zebra crossings, that took some getting used to!

[@TheKaiTetley]

Jason J. You sir, sound quite British indeed.

[@adriennigarashineszabo946]

One time I saw elderly ladies cowtow (do the Nr. 4 type bow, a.k.a. dogeza): when the head of the neighbourhood group introduced me to the ladies of the neighbourhood as Mr. Igarashi's wife when we were just married (small town neighbourhood in 1999). It was super embarrassing. Luckily the younger ladies only bowed.

[@LionKimbro]

I saw a real life ground apology on the news once. The board of a company. They were apologizing for some nefariousness that resulted in loss of life. A woman attending the apology stood up and started telling them off, in the middle of their apology. “You ought to be ashamed!! That you think you can just come up here and issue a formal apology like this? My son is dead because of what you have done! But my loss is the least of it-“ she was just going off. The entire board was dead silent while she talked, and when she took a breather, they all got out from behind their chairs, entered the space in front of the table, and all of them went into the “no dignity” bow, and didn’t get up before the camera cut.

[@MsMondbluemchen]

Danke dir für das Video. :) Das in der Luft zu lesen, kann man das nicht ein wenig mit "Aufmerksam zu sein" vergleichen?

[@MsMondbluemchen]

@@Peachelliver Das stimmt. Man braucht die kulturellen Hintergründe dafür.

[@MartialBachoffner]

What about the rhesus? I'm O+

[@adriennigarashineszabo946]

@@chrisbergsten1429 I don't think they know about it. At least the people I talked to didn't have a clue.

[@mike_v02]

Aaah, always love cathy's laugh.

[@danika9411]

Wohoo I'm AB....but a bit shy and chaotic and optimistic and I apologize to a wall I just ran into 😅 So I actually should be 0?

[@ReavinBlue]

Nobody: Subs at start of this video: Mostly what giggles I will set this up

[@Akram_kirito]

4:50 🤔

[@Nagytika]

In hungary it is in your birth certificate and I have never met anyone who said they don't know their blood type, so it is a surprise for me that some ppl might not be aware

[@JanelleLynn392]

I would wear a big pin saying IN TRAINING like at a new job people are always more tolerant of a newbie so if you mess up they won't think you are dumb just inexperienced

[@VermilionLotus]

I'm AB+, quite rare. I think Japanese people rely on a LOT of unspoken words, meanings, etc. It makes it really really difficult to effectively communicate if you're not the kind of person who can easily "read the room" or "read the air". Of course, people make mistakes no matter what, it just makes it harder if you're one of those more socially awkward people, I think lol.

[@mayshusakuhanamurasufferli5438]

Nobody is a mind reader

[@Vandalynn]

B+, Capricorn, Rooster....oh no help me lol

[@ZekuChanU]

Me practicing my front flips so I can do a 360 bow, the ultimate bow. Might knocked the other person unconscious too if they stand too close...

[@Bobbylopezcreative]

A server at a restaurant did bow number four to me after there was a broken piece of glass in the drink cup he served me. 😲

[@bossandbeauty5898]

I can't seem to agree that I am really optimistic 🤣

[@jacobmullins3644]

1 alot of patience 2 get Rosetta stone to learn the language 3 I'm a neg so what things can I do

[@marklll4426]

*SURVIVAL SKILLS TO SURVIVE JAPANESE ENCOUNTERS* thumbnail: lay on the floor, they'll understand the universal language of tired

[@grinsikleinpo7]

bloodtype. Red, german and too sweet. So and now whats going on?

[@j.l.theseagull4822]

everything is going to be alright

[@j.l.theseagull4822]

praise God, Jesus is the man lol

[@blankie1832]

I understand Japanese culture but, i'd rather die before bowing before someone else.

[@GojiraNippon]

Then you have a big ego..

[@blankie1832]

@@GojiraNippon pride/ego call it whatever you want. I am a human beign not a slave. I will respect my follow men as an equal no more, no less. I dont care about you age, gender or religion. And yes i have an ego, im an individual not a sheep

[@marcioamaral7511]

In Rome do as the Romans do

[@zeneto_3695]

Good vedio liked it 👍

[@aquaMar313]

0:59 well I go to karate and my grandoa said DO NEVER STOP LOOKING DON'T TRUST ANYONE so yeah, I'll look disrespectful

[@NeyaLoupGarou]

Daijobu means both? What?! I did not know that! 😮 That thing about: hm a hmhm... I did it all the time at home (for me it is like a quick answer), but people are usually confused what I mean by that. The blood type thing: So this is the reason why you can usually find a blood type of actors or singers on AsianWiki? Wow... I am glad that I know my blood type. 😁

[@antrumkfpsalatschleuder8768]

Isn’t AB very rare everywhere …I think i read it’s like 0,5% on All humans

[@CorbenDallas007]

I am a blood donor in Denmark, and my blood type is B+. And I am a unique individual! That's what I've been told anyway.

[@janabroflovski2572]

Everyone is unique

[@victorrascon1716]

Where is she from? I can’t tell

[@Nihat-06]

Germany

[@gabzpot]

I'm A+. The description is totally right.

[@akemiflameborg]

I'm confused, how come people don't know their blood types? I've known mine since childhood, I think the doctors checked it when I was born and so my parents knew. It's the same for all my relatives. Maybe it is just typical in my country to get this info? Anyways, I'm A+

[@j.l.theseagull4822]

dont think about it too much

[@Cartathra]

I don't understand how people don't know their blood-type. Aren't you taught this in school. It was a whole big thing, students asking each other what blood-type you are. It's an important fact to know. (not for horoscopic reasons)

[@cccccc9929]

In Germany, you get it taught. In school, I made also a blood test. If I remember correctly, my blood type was A, but I'm not sure about it. But to know your blood type is not important, because your blood gets tested at every blood transfusion.

[@酢味噌-m3c]

日本語の発音が凄すぎて圧巻