Everyday Life in Japan: 10 Essential Questions Answered

DECIDE the future of Abroad in Japan in 2016, with this thrilling questionnaire! goo.gl/FiomfH
ARTICLE: "Life in Rural Japan - When Foreigner Rockstar Status Goes Wrong" goo.gl/FBf6zE
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QUESTIONS FEATURED:
How difficult was it to integrate into Japanese society?
Is Japanese technologically ahead?
Are you accustomed to squat toilets?
What was your most awkward experience?
What is your favourite season?
Is there something that makes everyday life difficult?
Have you ever been asked to leave a place for being foreign?
What is the best English you've ever seen written on a product?
Do random people stare at you because you're foreign?
What was your favourite moment you've had in Japan so far?

[@1221kary]

You should make Abroad In a Pan a secondary channel for cooking

[@OmegaElevenEngage]

This is genius

[@ZyNgInaMo]

So we can watch him make toast and cup noodles?

[@MammaApa]

Just don't make it A Broad In a Pan. Cannibalism is illegal. In japan and otherwise.

[@NerdyCatCoffeeee]

@@MammaApa Cannibalism isn't illegal. Murder is. If you don't kill the person, you can eat them. At least in USA that is.

[@rileygonzales896]

@@NerdyCatCoffeeee well no because you would be assaulting them

[@saysomethincute]

I can't unsee Chris being Doctor Octopus now.

[@PerMortensen]

+saysomethincute Right? That was spot on!

[@carolinebell722]

I can’t unhear Vyvian from The Young Ones (and I mean that in the nicest possible way)

[@TheAnimeBrain]

Hope you can really do this full time next year "abroad in a pan"! Good Luck!

[@rozelseanallencasimsiman599]

"A Doctor Octopus in Japan"

[@hamstersdailylife4938]

Been five years now, Chris finally did it!!

[@acepilot1]

It may have involved questionable gift-giving but he finally did

[@AloofMusician]

I love it when he uses that Natsuki gif hhahahaha

[@kamaazim3350]

same 😂

[@user-fd5nj2kb3s]

FatPanda 69th comment Go Fuck yoselff xD

[@AbroadinJapan]

Have you ever been thrown out of a bar for being foreign? And would you rather be a PIRATE or a PILOT!? Let us all know below! And don't forget to HIT the LIKE button on the video!

[@crimsonscull]

+Abroadin Japan . yes i have. some guy stole my camera bag while i was visiting. after i tried confronting him about it (i was being nice as i thought he might have mistaken it for his) he called me "stupid gaijin pig" and tried to run off. some locals helped the authorities find him later that day and i eventually got my camera bag back. i still don't know if that guy got arrested or not.

[@rayeraye2909]

Pirate. Aaaaargh!

[@ashjvlogs]

pirate all the way! now scrub the poop deck and raise the mast! We're gonna' get us some booty! !

[@alaaobaid3363]

+Abroadin Japan I have never been to Japan cause I have studies now but when I finish my studies I will definitely go to Japan and live there to the rest of my life, and if you and Natsuki were still in Japan I will 100% visit you , its my dream that I will fuck the world till I get it :) umm Pirate for sure :) BTW I am an Arabian fan from middle east :)

[@bitneek]

+Abroadin Japan Depends where you go. There are lots of different types of bars in Japan. There are you're regular bars like izakaya (kind of Japanese pub) which is very unlikely to refuse you as a foreigner. However there are all sorts of other types of places like snack bars, girl's bars, kyabakura or various private clubs. These are the kind of places that you will see with lots of signs up the side of the building and it is kind of difficult to discern what kind of place it is unless you just "wing it" go up the elevator and open the door. Many of them are very small and are exclusive to their regular clientele. They will often refuse entry if you are a foreigner unless you speak Japanese enough to get what the place is about. It's not about being a foreigner necessarily but more about there being some kind of difficulty in communication or understanding the nature of the place. I like randomly popping into places just to see what they are, for example I once saw a sign that said "Bar Fun 5F". Of course I had to go check it out. It was actually fun. But this is not always the case, and I would certainly not recommend doing this sort of thing in Kabukicho, Ropongi or similar areas in other Japanese cities.

[@beebee404]

I was genuinely surprised at the resemblance between you and Dr Octopus

[@AbroadinJapan]

+notbenny So was I!

[@kakudokurisu1050]

Nah, I instantly laughed at Dr. Octopus before the sentence even finished. Knew what they were talking about immediately! Woo, that was so good.

[@stephan1816]

6 Years later and we finally got "Abroad in a Pan" ...

[@dwl1013]

lol

[@YoshikazuHayashi]

I'm in trouble. I begin to like you. You're sarcastic. You've sat too close to my most favorite KZbinr Sharla in Japan. And your accent is not American which I'm familiar with. Yet, Stangely enough, I find myself liking you. Looking forwad to more videos from you!

[@NathanRichan]

+Yoshi Comment of the week right here

[@PerMortensen]

+Yoshi He doesn't have an American accent but he does speaks with the mouth like Pitbull, so there's that.

[@levoGAMES]

+Yoshi Yeah, he is so British in fact, that I always picture him as a famous actor, like for the James Bond movies. He'd do great in an action movie. Actually.... he'd do great in any movie :D

[@H34RTS4C4TSsS]

+Per Mortensen omg!! love it

[@YoshikazuHayashi]

bluuunova I know ;) Chris asked for my permission to include my comment in his video (^o^)

[@chiakidesu]

I didn't realise that I made my face into such a ugly expression like that! Hope I don't look too bad in your upcoming video, haha.

[@Thatoneguy-e2f]

Chiaki you must be allergic to boyfriend material then LOL

[@IntothemindofJaxs]

You looked fine...i subscribed to your channel. Chiaki can you put more lessons on English and Japanese xo

[@CryptoFoxOfficial]

you look great don't worry :)

[@PortbyhanMan]

Chiaki - you're so adorable and to be honest, your mannerisms are really cute and quirky. That other vid was just great and your facial expressions are a part of your appeal ^u~

[@pivopivo7670]

Oh look, the asshole never even dignified her with a reply. Guess she wasn't "girlfriend material". Idiot brit.

[@Bokkei]

haha, me and my husband lived in Tokyo for a short while and some friends came to visit, once when they had been out eating yakiniku by them self and they they told us afterwards that they had a great time and got so much meat, everytime they asked for more meat, even though it wasn't included in their lunch set, the waiters had done this strange "ssssssh" sound and tilted their head to the side and looked at them for a while before giving them more meat. We explained to them that sometimes you have to assume that a tilt to the side with the head and a strange sound could just mean "well hell to the no, that is not included so maybe you should just pay and get out of this place" ^^ I actually got denied to enter a bar in Japan, but that was a small gay bar(?) and when I opened the door to the bar a nude man with an apron hiding the private parts told me "no sorry, only male is ok", so I guess gaijin men was ok...

[@djentleman8116]

this was a rollercoaster to read lol

[@dangowad5368]

A few of things I've seen on tshirts in Japan: "PIZZA OF DEATH" "When I was young, my ringlets waved" and my personal favourite, "EVERY DAY IS CARNIVAL. CARNIVAL IS MY THE PLEASURE. EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE FREEDOM."

[@queencelestyna]

A colleague of mine is Vietnamese, but people in our part of Saitama assume she's Japanese. I, on the other hand, am a pale redhead. The locals tend to speak to her, in Japanese, asking her about me...and half the time, I understand what they're saying better than she can. Fun times.

[@0xdew]

Hey Chris, I have been watching your channel for a little over a year now. At first I watched because I was curious about how it is like living in Japan, but that has come to change as I started to watch more and more of your videos. I think I now watch your videos because I think you are a genuinely funny person. I do not care if you talk about Japan or not and will continue to watch your content anyway. If you wish to transition your channel from focusing on Japan to something else, I would still support your channel and I think many people will follow suit. I feel like you are limiting yourself by only creating content about Japan and may feel like your options are limited. I think if you did blogs they would be pretty popular. From watching your videos I've come to think that you are really creative and funny and you're really good at narrating a story throughout your videos. I hope you all the best in the future and want you to know that I will support your channel if you transition it into something other than Japan. Regards, A Friend

[@AbroadinJapan]

+Dewan Hassan Thanks man, I appreciate your kind words - happy new year!

[@daydreamer5028]

I understand that you studied Japanese for a year. After how many months were you able to understand and speak very basic "survival" Japanese? #AskAbroad

[@petrolmonkey1973]

It would take you a good 4-6 months to know enough to go on the streets and fluently talk to most people/shops although if you just need the basics it would take no more than a month

[@toasega]

I was in Japan once at a bar. Some guy walked up to me and said "Can't you see the sign?! It says no foreigners!!" Of course this was all said in very angry Japanese. I apologized and began to leave, but I accidentally bumped into a man in a straw hat, causing him to spill his sake. All noise in the bar stopped immediately, and I knew that I dun goofed. The man stood up, and so did everyone else in the bar. It turned out that the man was a big time Ninja Yakuza boss, who controlled an army of thousands of ninjas. In perfect english, he asked me, "Do you want to die?" before kicking me through the wall of the bar and out into the pouring rain and lightning. Before I could get to my feet, I was surrounded on all sides by ninjas. Ninjas on the walls, ninjas on the rooftops, ninjas in the alleys and on the streets. This was going to be a very long night. The boss saw that I had no weapons. Being an honorable man, he ordered his ninjas to drop their weapons and stand down. I stood in the middle of the mob of ninjas as the boss and I faced each other down. Time seemed to slow to a crawl, as all of time and space seemed to pause and watch with rapt anticipation. Suddenly a crack of lightning flashed across the skies, and, as if signaled by a starting gun, we leapt into the air, trading punches and kicks at supersonic speeds. We dueled for hours, nearly destroying the small village in which I was staying, ultimately battling to a standstill. The boss and I stared at one another, blood running down our faces, when suddenly the boss began to laugh. "It's been a long time since I had a fight like that!" he said. I began laughing too, and from that point on, I was always welcome in the bar.

[@shreyashahi2624]

LoL it's great

[@endersteve5839]

Hm

[@dio5993]

lmao have you ever thought of doing a anime

[@DemstarAus]

Damn you! This started out so believable.

[@lassim3111]

Seems legit......

[@honganos]

Sorta happened in kamakura, got the no enter arm ‘X’ but as soon as I used my phrasebook the hostess gladly welcomed myself and about 6 other guys in and sat with us to show us how to prep and eat Okonomiyaki. I was only in Japan for about 3 days so not a ton of experience. I believe it was probably the language barrier vs a group of 7 foreigners.

[@BR29953]

I love how he actually did use the branding "Abroad in a pan" 😂😂😂

[@HyperUniverse]

Vladmir Putin and a Goat. I'm prepared for ANYTHING!!!

[@GodsWheat]

+Reload Time Matters NO your NOT

[@SonikaCain]

+Golden Sky YES he IS

[@LeeNTien]

....he got them the wrong way around anyway...

[@GodsWheat]

idk bro

[@declancasey3360]

+Reload Time Matters #askAbroad I want answers pls

[@slr2403]

Have you or any others (especially in the UK) noticed any changes in the way you speak English over the time you've lived in Japan? (e.g. any slight changes in accent, tone, politeness or even body language) I ask because I assume you use Japanese more than English when talking to others there and wondered how that affects how you think and how you speak in your native language.

[@ooglefluffg857]

+Soulr B I would love an answer to this question too. I find I'm very easily influenced by accents when watching movies or whatever and will sometimes change tone slightly or emphasise words strangely for a little while afterwards. I've always wondered what would happen if I moved to a different country and was exposed to the same foreign accent/language daily. #AskAbroad

[@Catcatrose279]

+Soulr B Something that I do a lot is replying "understand" to questions or statements even when they are in English. If ive just watched some TV in Japanese or tried to have a conversation with somebody and then go straight to speaking English i will carry some of the grammar over. For example in Japanese you can take the subject out of the sentence if everybody already knows what it is. Ill find myself taking words out of sentences. I also grunt to answer questions. Also just staring sentences with with "jaa" or adding "ne" at the end when i want somebody to agree with me. I also do something which i think is kinda horrible on my part but if im having an English conversation with a Japanese person i will start to imitate their accent. I dont do it on purpose but halfway trough ill notice i doing it and feel super rude. There are probably tones of other weird things ive picked up while being here buts thats all i can really think of.

[@CriticalRiff]

+Soulr B I haven't lived in Japan, but I've been there many times and have been learning the language for 4 years. I often find myself bowing slightly when thanking or saying sorry to people. I figured it can't hurt anyone, so whatever... If it happens, it happens...

[@BigBenLB]

+Soulr B Occasionally I find myself replying in the wrong language if I'm not concentrating. One time I was in a Tokyo bar with an English friend, a Chinese friend and we were all trying to have a conversation with the bar owner. Perhaps because I was a little drunk I ended up asking the bartender a question in Chinese, snapping at my English friend in Japanese to shut up because I couldn't hear the answer, and relaying the bartenders answer in English to my Chinese friend. Speaking of which that brings me on to a question #askabroad Which language do you think is harder, Chinese or Japanese? Personally I think Chinese is more difficult overall but Japanese grammar is harder, but I'm interested in other peoples opinions.

[@pekudesu]

I, too, am annoyed by this and am determined not to pick up this, 相槌, habit. Is that naive?

[@vogtiify]

You´re one of the few people on youtube where im happy to see a new video of and i always look it right away. Of course i´m interested in japan and its culture but your personality in the videos and the general way you speak makes it perfect for my taste. i´m already waiting for the next video. (i always dreamt of traveling to japan.. maybe one day)

[@internationallyME]

Awesome video as always :D and wow you do kinda resemble Doctor octopus ! Haha

[@CanuckJim]

My favourite English on Japanese item was on Match soft-drink: "Let's Vitamin!" Let's vitamin indeed - actually it was pretty tasty, light and refreshing.

[@dabzvapelord]

My girlfriend and I recently went on a trip to Japan, while we were in Tokyo we stayed in Nihonbashi and quite often we ate around the Ginza/Nihonbashi area and had some beautiful experiences and amazing food. In the fancier area of Nihombashi one night we were walking through the lane ways looking to have our first izakaya experience, we saw a place that looked pretty full and walked inside where a waitress quickly walked up to us and asked if we had a reservation which we didn't and we were turned away, that was fine. A few nights later we returned and walked into the same izakaya and the chef immediately made an X with his arms as if to say no entry, I walked out and saw two older couples tentatively look inside to see if they wanted to go inside (clearly no booking) and they were sat down right away. I was pretty upset about it mainly because I felt like maybe Japanese people didn't want me in their country. Then we went round the corner and through another alley and found a craft beer joint where there was a much younger crowd and 30 beer on tap and some amazing food, we were made to feel so welcome in this place and all negative feeling regarding Japan were gone.

[@AbroadinJapan]

+dabzvapelord Thanks for sharing this story mate - sorry to hear that happened. I would have not taken it at all well either. Still, at least good fortune came your way soon after!

[@dabzvapelord]

the rest of our night and the rest of our trip truly made up for it

[@orroz1]

My take on this is that some foreign tourists don't understand Izakaya etiquette. I think Chris also pointed this out on later videos. For example that when you sit down you are expected to spend money on drinks and food for the duration of your stay. Some people may also complain on getting charged the seating fee. So I think it could be that the owner has had some bad situations with tourists and want to avoid those. One Izakaya I visited showed me a sheet in english with the basic rules and expectations, seating fee and so on. I agreed, was let in and had a great time with the kind staff and the other patrons.

[@dabzvapelord]

@@orroz1 you are probably right. but i think if restaurants in the west turned away asian customers so blatantly there would rightly be a negative reaction.

[@SubstanceASMR]

Well...Are you enjoy spring?

[@huhhwuhh]

"I don't know what version of Muppet Treasure Island she's been watching" 😂😂

[@chloecolorfulx]

You should film a night out with Natsuki!

[@lilcamelleon]

Abroadin Japan honestly makes me laugh out loud and I always think people are just exaggerating when they say this but his videos are genuinely enjoyable to watch.

[@lockergr]

You are genuinely one of the most entertaining ESL travel vloggers out there. Thanks for keeping that edge and keeping things fun to watch!

[@steveleadbeater]

Yes, I have been in a place where a sign outside said "'No Foreigners, Japanese only, spoken here""....it was in a little bar to the left of the Senso-ji Temple at Asakusa. My companion, A Japanese born Australian Citizen took me in there for lunch and a few beers. We were speaking mostly English to each other and getting a few stares from other patrons, especially those on the communal table we were sharing, that is, until someone at the table asked my friend about me, she told them that we had worked together in Sydney, and that I was visiting Japan to train at the Kodokan Judo Institute in Bunkyo-Ku. Within seconds, there were heaps of people who wanted a photo with the visiting Aussie who was studying their National Sport. After that comment from my friend, the ""No Foreigners, Japanese only, spoken here ""... went straight out the door and a great time was had by all.

[@QuackDragon]

Pls tell me how to Kanji, Chris sensei.

[@GodsWheat]

+Quack Dragon GET A PEN AND WRITTE :)

[@QuackDragon]

Golden Sky I hear your wisdom...

[@sayroto]

Watch one of the numerous videos he has done on the subject?

[@psypsy751]

+Quack Dragon Just learn the words. It's easier to just associate them with words than with individual syllables.

[@Randomness65535]

+MSP Redgrave So is it a good idea to just learn kanji via anki? It only gives you example words with pronunciation about half the time. I've only learned something like 150 kanji at the moment. I feel like it's a fairly good way but needs some other way to enhance the learning.

[@RachelandJun]

My favorite Engrish is the passive-aggressive demotivational trashcan. instagram.com/p/3ayEZ6gvrf/ And squat toilets are best toilets.

[@riccardob9026]

Yes, I know that I am commenting a 5 years old video, but I found it right now. I wanted to say that I got an epiphany like yours several years ago, although with French. Several years ago I spent one year as postdoc in Lausanne (CH). I went there without knowing almost nothing of French (just "to be" and "to have"; yes, Italian and French are closer than English and Japanese, but not so close as most people expect). Since I like reading I decided that reading French books would be an useful and fun exercise, so I bought a book about the life of Marie Curie. The same evening I was in my bed, reading my new book. Nice book, interesting, nicely written and... time flies and it is time to sleep. I check the page: 72. While I put the book down I realize "Wow! I read (with no effort) 72 pages of French!" So, I can understand your feeling when you suddenly realized that you had a conversation in Japanese without even noticing it.

[@EricAroundTheWorldYouTube]

Merry Christmas, Chris! Which KFC meal did you get this year? I'm ecstatic that you're planning to continue with your channel on a full-time basis now that your teaching gig is up. Best channel on KZbin in my opinion. It's both informative and hilarious! Looking forward to see what you've got planned for 2016. Cheers!

[@fjonken]

Obsessed with your videos. Dunno if it is a good or a bad thing, hey? :D

[@AustinAwsome]

Been watching since his 1st Video... it is a never ending addiction.

[@fjonken]

Golden Sky How can you not be obsessed? Haha! He's hilarious! So different from other youtubers. Love it, would be a f-ckin' dream to bump into him when I go to Japan in march.

[@eeeee5100]

+Jannika Karlsson he puts the same charming spell on me as Craig Ferguson does, I tell you those guys come directly from Hogwarts!

[@Woolookologie]

+Jannika Karlsson same :D

[@lolpl0000]

+Jannika Karlsson im so jealous of you. yeah, and i agree lol

[@garagespiders]

I really enjoy your expat point of view. I myself have been to Japan many times and always feel like it's a giant theme park as soon as I step off the plane you convey a similar sense of adventure. Love to pound a few beers and sakes with you someday. My Jazz group might be touring there 2018.

[@chokar162]

Drunk on sapporo counting down the days till I'm in Japan for holidays... See's new Japan abroad video.. Best thing I've got all Christmas!!

[@kalvon]

He never changed

[@MyLifeJapanTV]

Another great episode, Chris! Entertaining and insightful, as always!

[@megadesu69]

Just thought I'd say... out of over 100 subscriptions, your channel is one of the first I check on. Thanks for all the good work!

[@eechauch5522]

I can really relate to that moment in the bar, when you at some point realize, you have been using the foreign language, without even noticing it. It's one of the best feelings when you are living abroad.

[@TheJaminator128]

Are you aware of your own defects?

[@AbroadinJapan]

+Jake Simmons A lack of self discipline and an inability to live in the present moment!

[@GodsWheat]

+Jake Simmons NO

[@reubenmellor8882]

Good video once again.

[@GodsWheat]

+Skate Fakie NO

[@LowBridd]

This, and you as well, are truly brilliant. Thank you for posting content that is extremely easy to enjoy.

[@MichaelKnouff]

My frist few weeks of living in Japan was pretty rough. I lived in Asakusa near Sensoji Temple and I had a lot of issues with the natives screaming at me to leave the country, being scooted aside, and asked to not go into restaurants. After the two week marker though, things changed and the locals got along with me pretty well. Racial issues do exist in Japan, you just got to be in the right places to see it.

[@MegaDestinywarrior]

So how far into your never ending quest to learn japanese did you decide to hire a tutor and how much did it help you?

[@MegaDestinywarrior]

Also have a great christmas, will you be having a KFC premium meal this year?

[@neemguy81]

Don't waste your time on "The Last Jedi": it broke my heart.

[@davidecimitan3004]

Your video where you explain how to remember kanji in long term really helped me in my studies. I learned some kanji quite easily but the real struggle is coming. So, two questions: - How do I manage to learn the pronunciation? Should I memorize Kun/Jun reading or is it better to actually memorize full word? - The more you study kanji the more they become similar. How can I avoid to confuse them? And for your British accent: I'm Italian and I wish I had it!

[@davidecimitan3004]

*ON/KUN reading

[@gasaholic47]

I see autumn in Japan is much like autumn here in upstate NY. The leaf colors are very similar, and stunning.

[@velvetineproductions]

When I was in Japan to avoid squat toilets, I went in the disabled toilets. I thought 'surely they can't expect the disabled to squat down; teetering on the edge of a disastrous plunge into urine.' Sure enough I was correct, never had to use one for my whole trip phew.

[@Katya_Lastochka]

I half expected them to, but what if a disabled person needed the bathroom? Also, why would you sit down on public toilets? Squatting isn't hard.

[@Useaname]

Squatting is actually very good for emptying your bowels. And for crimping off cleanly.

[@mr.m2659]

@@Useaname knees above bowels my friend

[@mamabente8646]

Nice video! Concerning "no foreigners allowed" I have experienced quite the opposite. At least in Kyoto, foreigners often get free entrance to clubs and free drinks sometimes, because they seem to think we are the life of the party. It's kind of an encouragement for us to get in there and animate the more shy and reserved Japanese specimen to loosen up and get there dance moves on! And it seems to work cause the first ones on the dance floors are usually the foreigners XD

[@Atashiyumekui]

Thoroughly enjoyed the questionnaire. I hope to see more of your channel in the new year. Don't make me regret those clicks!

[@vengadorsky]

You quickly became my favorite J-Vlogger, and I've been watching these people for like 4 years now. Make a video about the art of J-vlogging and how to become one?

[@vanillaicecreamcake]

HAHAHAHA Boyfriend Material. That's bloody brilliant.

[@iandrsaurri625]

You do look exactly like Doc Oc

[@garyalfonsoalcasid3999]

Sugoi! I wish your channel was around when I was in Japan in 1995. It would have made my life a lot more easy. From a gaijin to another, gambate neh!

[@khwlel]

Now I can see where you got the name Abroad in a Pan that you used when you were doing the White day chocolate challenge that ended really well. Smart

[@Parasite2]

メリークリスマス

[@stanstantalent.5605]

Merry Christmas!!!!🎄

[@cadenbennett1574]

Walde ummmmm

[@5thkiechannel]

is molestation on trains as common as anime portrays? #AskAbroad

[@andrewdornan3942]

no

[@SomeOne-wr1wr]

No its not a lot of youtubers have answered that question :)

[@Zoot101]

That depends on what animes you've been watching...

[@dharmdevil]

+5th Kie... i thought this was true. 99.99% of japanese porn are bus/train/library/public molestation

[@SomeOne-wr1wr]

dharmdevil seriously XD

[@beacastillo-yamashita8908]

I just got back from my 2-week holiday traveling around Kansai and I watched almost all your videos just so I can see Japan more.

[@Darbage]

It never ceases to amaze me how you manage to make relatively ordinary video topics so hilarious. Another excellent video!

[@MatthewCorbally]

After working here for a few months, I have to agree with you about 'aimai'. It has caused me more frustrations than anything else in my interactions with the teachers, as it is difficult to spend the time getting a clear answer when everyone is busy. How long did it take you to get used to that particular cultural quirk?

[@AbroadinJapan]

+Matthew Corbally I'm not sure I ever did haha. Depending on what mood I was in, I'd either embrace it and stand in silence or go in guns blazing and make sure I kept pushing until I got an answer!

[@MatthewCorbally]

+Abroadin Japan I'm surprised you had the time to stand in silence. I usually just try to narrow down my queries to yes/no answers and wait for them to commit to a position on something.

[@MyLifeJapanTV]

+Matthew Corbally I'm glad I watched this video to refresh my memory. I'd almost completely forgotten about the nuances of 'aimai' communication.

[@Sammmmmmmm617]

+Matthew Corbally How are you liking working in Japan so far?

[@MatthewCorbally]

+cookiezmilk So far, so good! I'm lucky in that the school in which I work has decent support for English teachers, and the students and the teachers in my school are great fun to work with. My main problems come from language and cultural difficulties, but I'm making a lot of progress in dealing with them! Chris's videos helped me to prepare for work here!

[@MCShvabo]

Animal; a goat Person; Vladimir Putin ...tihs is seriously one of best things I've seen in in years, thanks for making me laugh!

[@blimpop351]

Chris its great to see your back to buisness. Your videos are great and as someone from england its really eady to relate to your stories. Keep it up

[@popcornfilms1]

I enjoy seeing your progression through the years further into the depths of sarcasm

[@lambirging]

I just watch Abroad in a Pan TC video and next suggested video is this ? lol

[@RavynSkye617]

Walk into one of those bars and speak perfect Japanese... See what happens. I'd love to know. If they ask why you didn't follow the sign, say you don't speak English, you only speak Polish. They won't know.

[@misakikatsumi8400]

Your humour has cheered me right up. Thanks, you never disappoint

[@tanvikejriwal1]

8:54 I know, right? I recently applied to a Japanese university and had to MAIL the application form, which I downloaded from the internet.

[@fizzlebank]

My boy is back!!

[@GodsWheat]

+Michael Carter is he your son?

[@fizzlebank]

+Golden Sky Yes. Yes he is.

[@GodsWheat]

wow are you Michael Board?

[@Avitymist]

You know, I just realized.. Ask abroad, ask a broad. Crazy.

[@libraries144]

5 years later and he really had an abroad in a pan series

[@TheCelestialhealer]

Oh the communication… just listening to your examples make me crazy. You really made out the best of it ✨🌟

[@Rationalific]

I was actually thrown out of a bar (or really, not allowed in while I was on the steps leading up to the bar) for being a foreigner. And this happened in Tokyo. That was around 2006, and in Takenotsuka (a few stops north of Kita Senju). Just by my train station, there were two places that didn't let in foreigners. One was very annoying, though. A regular annoying guy would be shouting "Irasshaimase!" and then exactly when I passed, he shut up. As soon as I passed, he shouted "Irasshaimase!" again. One day, even though I didn't want to go to the bar, I decided to go in the bar if I heard "Irasshaimase" (although not spoken at me, of course). As usual, I heard it, and so I went to the steps up to the bar. On the way, the Japanese guy (politely called out, running to get me). He said that foreigners were not allowed. I was really angry went down the steps and then while walking away, turned around, squinted my eyes tight, stuck out my upper teeth, bowed in a mocking fashion, and said, 次のとき、外国人が来たら、何も言わないでください！"Next time, when a foreigner comes, don't say anything (if you don't want him to enter)!" There are other instances when I was racially profiled. When riding my bike for the first time long distance, I was stopped by a police officer and asked if I had stolen the bike. Also, my Chinese (ex) girlfriend was told point blank that they (a real estate company) would not rent her an apartment (this time on the opposite side of Tokyo, in Takahata-Fudo) simply because she was Chinese. However, I lived in Japan for 9 years, and nearly everyone I dealt with was very pleasant to me. Even the bigots are polite. I mean, unlike elsewhere, there is no "fear" of racists. Those who might discriminate against you will often apologize profusely for doing so...even though they still do it. But that is really a tiny minority. Most people are not discriminatory at all. I do not want to stereotype either Japanese or Americans, but I would say that Americans in general are more racist. However, the difference is that that minority of Americans who are racist usually hide it, because they know they can't get away with it. They thus often resort to code language. But Japanese bigots (often not even racists, because Chinese and Koreans probably suffer more discrimination than Westerners) do not have that internal fear of being thought racist, so it is more open. In a way, they are more honest about it, and polite when it comes up. But yeah, again, 99.99% of people in Japan whom I interacted with seemed amazingly open and if anything, they were interested in other countries and wanted to learn a lot about the world. Lots of people helped me, such as giving me a key they thought I dropped, and so many more examples that I can't name. I think the Japanese are some of the nicest people in the world. My fiancee is Japanese, and she is the most amazing person I know! Really, no matter where you go, there can be negative situations, but there are so many amazing Japanese people (to the extent that it's hard to imagine such amazing people in another culture) that I was completely blown away. Not everything is good in Japan, but that is the case everywhere. Some things about America are undoubtedly better than Japan, and some things about Japan are undoubtedly better than America. That's how it works.

[@falseprophet6031]

Question, what about black people, how are they treated? Because I'm African, and I wanna live in Japan.

[@TomorrowWeLive]

@@falseprophet6031 worse

[@MarioRash]

When did you stop actively studying new vocabulary and were able to assimilate new words in a passive way? I've been self-teaching Japanese for over a year and I wonder at which point this is possible, like it happened with me with English. At some point you can just learn new words after seeing them once or twice.

[@CrypticKas]

Awesome video, as usual. Also, I absolutely love that Annoying Comment of the Week transition with the Natsuki clip!

[@BojoPigeon]

"Aren't you cold?" It took me a surprisingly long time to catch onto that one. I visit Japan every couple years or so, and usually go in November or December, since the weather is comfortable then. I usually stay in the Akihabara area of Tokyo. I typically dress in the usual American tourist clothes: jeans and a t-shirt. Everything I'd read said Akihabara is a casual area and you don't need to worry about dressing up. But at least three times I was a casual dining establishment or maid cafe, took off my coat or jacket, and the waitress saw my t-shirt, and said (In Japanese) "Half-sleeves! Aren't you cold?" This struck me as odd, since I was clearly wearing the coat when I came in, and it seems unlikely that these young women in short skirts are shocked by exposed forearms. I'd been to Japan more than 10 times before I really started to notice that no one wore short sleeves this time of year, except tourists, no matter how warm it was. Most places you can make a guess what the weather is like outside by looking at how people are dressed, but in Japan, that just tells you the time of year. So I guess I'll need to build up my long sleeve wardrobe before my next trip to Japan.

[@ichirocharles1]

ARE YOU ENJOY SPRING ?

[@LaceyFilm]

Well done on having the only 'westerner in Japan' channel that isn't hosted by an irritating child.

[@thedudemeisteragain]

About technology, Central heating is still rare, no double glassing (unless you live in Tohoku), still timed traffic lights and the buttons are just for show.

[@jayiu9170]

It took me 20 of your videos to realise that you are not 24/7 sarcastic, it's just the way you naturally talk 🤣

[@emjayay]

British.

[@StarReel]

I'm going with reason number 4. You accidentally froze yourself too long and ended up in the year 2177. And had to invent a time-machine so you could come back. How was the year 2177? Any new Star Wars movies?

[@lukasmihara]

So, about the ATMs... did you very quickly open a bank account, or how did you get your money in the beginning just after arriving in Japan? I always used 7-11's ATMs with a credit card, but I'm thinking about maybe opening a Japanese bank account...

[@Toto8opus]

William Adams was both a pilot (Anjin-san) and a pirat, and he was the first contact the Japanese society made with an Englishman. Makes totally sense to me.

[@julianal.8686]

i can relate to seeing a foreigner in japan so hard. im an exchange student in japan and i am always surprised to see a foreigner around my school or in the city where i live. this happens around 3 times a month.

[@rachelroberts4449]

After studying Japanese for about 4-5 months I am starting to slack off in my studying. I want to continue studying and learning but I need motivation! How can I be more motivated?

[@AbroadinJapan]

+Rachel Roberts Daydream about meeting the person of your dreams who's Japanese and can't speak a word of English!

[@rachelroberts4449]

+Abroadin Japan Yes! Genius! :D

[@Parasite2]

+Rachel Roberts it is his solution to all problems :D he told me the same :P

[@rachelroberts4449]

Parasite yes it is defiantly more motivating!

[@glisero4043]

+Rachel Roberts You are probably not interested in my advice but I think this method works the best: Find something that you enjoy and requires japanese. For me this thing was shodou (japanese calligraphy). When I lost motivation to study japanese all I had to do was to watch some calligraphy videos and after that I just wanted to practice writing kanji. This is just my example though. I don't know if something like this would help you or not...

[@zangetsu_3854]

I once entered a bar when the owner screeched at me shouting, "Hey, no droids in here". Unfortunately two of my companions had to leave but I stayed for a drink. I was attacked a few moments later though by a couple of yobs with short man syndrome.

[@Flex-xl3ty]

funniest youtuber ever so much laughing, love your humor and way of telling stories

[@boopnlady]

I appreciate your satire and humor. Some of the best videos I've seen about Japan.

[@TheNiallHamilton]

In regards to the "外人ダメ" or no no foreigners, I only had one place turn me away over in Kyoto when I went over to Japan for a month, and she apologised once I spoke to her in Japanese. I was told that the local bar where I stayed in Kawaguchiko, the owner hated foreigners but I helped him move some stuff during my time there and even got his business card in the end. TL:DR: don't trust the Internet

[@joshualuna8320]

i Rate this video 5/7.

[@AbroadinJapan]

+blueberry muffin I'd give it a 4.5/7. Nothing particularly fun or memorable, but it does the job eh!

[@joshualuna8320]

+Abroadin Japan agreed

[@MinecraftGamer101010]

+Abroadin Japan It's a meme on 9gag, it means it's a "perfect score". xD

[@joshualuna8320]

yeah!!! someone gets it.

[@MinecraftGamer101010]

blueberry muffin c:

[@elasticokami5089]

I went to Japan 2 years back for school and we had to wear our trip shirts to Tokyo Disneyland (t shirt with our names on the back and school logo on the front) and we took about 20 pictures with people around the theme park who were stopping us while walking around to have a picture. Weird experience but definitely one of the most memorable moments of my trip.

[@SuperPowerGeek]

After all these years, Abroad in a pan has come into being! 🍳

[@TeknoOrganicVirus]

uuuhh...? So it's rude to have your top button undone or something?

[@GodsWheat]

+Remi Luong Yes

[@danielsmith8530]

+Remi Luong Yeah, even in England you have it shut.

[@michaelm8529]

top you can get away with sometimes. any more and you look like a 70s douche

[@michaelm8529]

But yeah the top button is formal so appropriate at work

[@dannyfitzgerald1593]

+Remi Luong It's pretty much the same here in the UK. Having the top button done up is seen as dressing professionally.

[@teraphIl1000]

Animal: a Cow. Person: Gōshō Aoyama.

[@teraphIl1000]

For milk and story time.

[@jacozard]

I really like your video's, decided to go to japan this year and your vids are really helping with some decisions and questions, thnx buddy, keep up the great work.

[@taylors.8260]

That article was amazing. Thank you for sharing!

[@DVMovies1999]

What's the biggest problem with learning Japanese?

[@Eldmur]

The 7 circle of kanji hell

[@SomeOne-wr1wr]

The Pacific Ring of Kanji

[@Vulcapyro]

To be specific, in my eyes it's a certain level of kanji where you eventually start feeling like you aren't making any progress despite spending a lot of time studying. Partly because leaning new kanji seems to become a chore, partly because you've already learned so many that a few more feel like a drop in the bucket, and partly because as you go on the commonness of any given kanji starts to drop to the point where you aren't even sure how useful knowing it is (which is one big reason why you should always learn vocab simultaneously). This becomes especially bad if you're trying to learn to write kanji as well rather than just read, listen and speak. Even natives often have a difficult time remembering the parts of certain kanji and it will probably just get worse as digital text becomes more and more common.

[@yellobird5682]

+Vulcapyro you are probably right. but kanji is very interesting for japanese. for example, 親 =parents is made by 立+木+見. 立=stand, 木=tree, 見=look. "parents means to look (their children)standing on a tree."

[@Vulcapyro]

yello bird Yeah, but the majority of kanji are total nonsense in that regard haha. There's a reason there aren't consistent and sensible rules for learning kanji composition, and why most memorization methods often end up with silly mnemonics that don't make sense.

[@pamupoa]

Why are your video titles sliding further and further towards clickbait taglines?

[@AbroadinJapan]

+palmpou My philosophy is, as long as the video delivers in some way, I can live with it. Also, the videos make almost no money - so I still have to try and make them attention grabbing to get views.

[@pamupoa]

Fair enough.

[@gruenfeder]

+Abroadin Japan i think it's poor, but you have to go with the flow, right? :p i like your demonstration of characters in your videos. but how about adding more of them? :o even they are probably very shy... i would love it, thank you dear

[@gruenfeder]

+palmpou one thing we all probably already knew, but mad faces (just straight up doofy faces on the cover) are also some kind of visual tagline (i heard that fact by youtubers with 2,5 million subscribers). and he has alot of them in his videos. quote: add doofy faces and you will get mad views.

[@TheEggysalmon]

its been almost 6 years and im still waiting for abroad in a pan

[@DDranks]

I used to think you are funny, and you are, but I realized you are also sympathetic and nice! Kudos to this channel, ya doing great job!