Rural & City Japan React to Foreigners Speaking Japanese

Are Japanese people shocked by foreigners speaking Japanese? What is the difference in reaction between Japanese people in the city and rural areas when they hear foreigners speaking Japanese? After living in Japan for years, I video taped a few conversations that are good examples of people of different ages in different places reacting to me and my friends speaking Japanese.
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My instagram: anming7

[@OrientalPearl]

I’m not here to brag, just to encourage people to study Japanese and other languages. I always try to keep the content really simple to help people that are learning (and save time on substitutes). If you are interested in Japanese I highly recommend this website www.japanesepod101.com/member/go.php?r=810124&l=%2F

[@somchaisaetang3974]

Thank you cause I’m actually wanting to brush up on Japanese again I’m more better at Thai but I’m wanting to study in japan

[@3raser883]

Even if you were bragging, you have all the rights to do so! You are a great Japanese speaker who must have put so much effort in their studies and I admire you. Do not let others tell you what you can do and what you can't do. See you in your next video!

[@OrientalPearl]

3raser_F Thanks, I sometimes get comments saying stop bragging. That was never the purpose of this channel.

[@kokgdog6291]

I became a member on Japanese pod because of your videos and encouragement! Not only that but you gave me that push to enroll in a language school in Japan to study and learn Japanese! I’ll be heading to Japan this upcoming January, you’re content is amazing

[@nisancashi2241]

your an amazing woman

[@danielthompson6207]

Doing this in Germany is always fun. You can speak perfect German to someone and they'll respond in perfect English, almost completely ignoring the fact that you're speaking German. It's either due to wanting to be a good host, or that many Germans are quite confident that their English is better than your German lol

[@TommasoPaba]

Try France... They will answer in French whatever language you used! 😄

[@mauriceo1537]

Hey I'm a German and I'm quite certain that most of us are just trying to be polite. Not having to speak you a "foreign" language sort of trying to make it easier and more comfortable for the others.

[@morikemieow1501]

@@TommasoPaba It depends, they could speak English if you can’t They speak with French accent though so i prefer to speak French

[@MrQwerty2524]

@@TommasoPaba And they will get mad if your French is sub par...

[@gihan9319]

sometimes they may be distracted by you looking non-German, and their brain chooses English to talk with you. You talking in German means they get the information, but brain still wants to talk to you in English

[@gege_cn]

As a Japanese person I can 100% agree it's surprising seeing foreigners speak Japanese very fluently!

[@boogiedownforever]

That is what I think when in America and I see a Japanese person speaking perfect English.

[@KESTRAL23]

SMOKE WED EVERYDAY 420 MXETH XDDDDD

[@boogiedownforever]

@@haley9442 I must apologise. I was being facetious. I just find it to be reverse racism when people are shocked to see caucasian people speak another non caucasian language. I used to live in hawaii to and I get it

[@ninaddemaio]

youre so lucky you can watch anime without subtitles HAHAH

[@didgewilson8638]

ETA me ne

[@badguy1481]

The problem I found in Japan: Unless you speak PERFECT Japanese they are somewhat put off. FIRST they are in shock that you can speak ANY Japanese. THEN they think you might be a dummy unless you can speak it with no mistakes.

[@parodynet3004]

@Damacki Dragnis Not really, this can be applied to every country. Unless you're able to speak the language fluently, there will always be some people that will think of you as a dummy!

[@grantytime4148]

I had a think about this - in the uk where I live you get so used to hearing not so good English from lots of people coming over from Europe, tourists etc. In Japan, a lot of people probably aren’t used to hearing ‘bad’ Japanese. It’s either perfect or non existent

[@badguy1481]

@@grantytime4148 Exactly! Just not that many foreigners traveling around in Japan, let alone foreigners that speak ANY Japanese.

[@VoxelLoop]

I'd say this depends a lot on the type of person, for example, I used to work in a fast food place here in the UK on one of our main motorways. We'd see a lot of foreigners come through who barely spoke any English. I always had a good laugh with them, it'd be a game of charades and Google Translate sometimes but we got there in the end! I find it helps calm them down a little too as they're usually worried that they won't be able to communicate. :) Of course you'll have other people who will be annoyed that someone can't speak flawless English, but I feel like especially with younger generations who are connected to so many people from so many countries through the internet, it's becoming far less common!

[@giannilyanicks1718]

@@parodynet3004 not anybody want to learn a language for ten years . and english is supposed to be international

[@mseker66]

“Guy walks into Mexican restaurant and speaks perfect Spanish”

[@myst1c164]

Turns out he’s Mexican.

[@user-qk1hf8cx4c]

@@myst1c164 me

[@franmadaraki616]

In my experience two guys walk into Mexican restaurant and shoot down a guy two tables away from us. I nearly shit my pants... I kinda miss El Rubi, Mexico

[@kleaaaaaa]

@@franmadaraki616 For real?💀

[@franmadaraki616]

@@kleaaaaaa yup

[@martiddy]

6:54 "I like how quiet it is here...". Meanwhile, the super loud cicadas at the background are having a party haha.

[@OrientalPearl]

This is true. Those bugs have been loud in every single one of my videos.

[@nightfall7512]

Martiddy - Sama I kinda find the sound satisfying, am I weird? lol

[@mikiohirata9627]

Cicada during this time of summer are indeed everywhere you can't get away in the day time. But you also should know it's a seasonal occurrence which japanese appreciate and don't complain in fact SEMI (Cicada) is used a lot in literatures, pop songs ,poems etc. as symbol or sign to hint a (time) back ground of subject person (or emotional states) thousand of years.

[@yosoywilson78]

I live in Florida and this normal for me. I barely notice it in the video honestly.

[@AmbuBadger]

I never understood it when my aunt told me Tokyo people are totally different from Osaka people until my last trip! Waaay easier to just strike up a conversation in Osaka, I even had elderly people just straight up ask me questions. Oh, and the train? Yeah, no such thing as a マナーモード setting on the people in Osaka! (I don't mean that in a bad way either)

[@onaki-channel]

People living in a country side in japan are actually really kind and friendly. They just don’t know how to communicate with foreigners. Nobody criticized you because of the nationality or that kind of things for sure.

[@britturk123]

It is just a cultural thing, nothing wrong with that. I would have expected some sort of reaction or acknowledgement, but you have explained it well enough for me to understand.

[@britturk123]

And you are exactly right the older ones were perfectly freindly.

[@captainnerd6452]

When I went to Matsushima with my friend (we're both American) we stopped in a kokeshi doll store owned by an elderly couple, she ran the store and he made the dolls. What was funny was at first when we went into the store, my friend said the woman looked a bit scared to see us hulking foreigners wander in, but as soon as I used my simple Japanese she brightened up and we had a great time talking about the store, how they rebuilt after the tsunami, and other things. I had the same kind of reaction from the owners when I went to an enka store in Ueno, a shop in Ameyokocho under the train tracks. もう楽しいでした、と思う。

[@britturk123]

@@captainnerd6452 The power of language.

[@andrewwilliams8496]

@@captainnerd6452 I’ve had that same experience many times. I think most Japanese people fear English more than the foreigner. Once I went into a doctor’s office for the first time and there was a collective intake of breath and then a huge sigh of relief from the entire reception staff when I started speaking Japanese. Once they realized that they would not have to speak English, they were bending over backwards trying to help me.

[@ismailniyaz5167]

Japanese folk in cities and big towns don't even bat an eye when they hear you speak Japanese. The first thing they asked me whenever I approached them for help was if I spoke Japanese. If you go to the more rural communities, those places are mostly inhabited by older retirees and even they don't react like they stumbled across a gold mine when you communicate in Japanese with them. If anything, you just see mild relief on their faces, because for some reason they think they're letting you down if they're unable to speak English properly.

[@flashgrind]

Wow, how much it has changed in 15 years. Back then speaking foreigners were a very rare sight

[@titan_o7]

Wow that's a really good point to make note of. I've always wanted to visit Japan but know almost no Japanese so naturally I feel really embarrassed walking around the country as just another white American visiting their country. I've heard that the people in Japan are really helpful and friendly, but of course I still feel guilty thinking about wandering through the country. I hope to one day live there although we'll see, I'd like to at least visit before I make that kind of commitment.

[@tamatama5181]

​ @Titan I'm a Japanese from Tokyo and we are very much used to both tourists and foreign residents. Unless you are visiting super countryside, pretty much everyone is used to foreigners with no Japanese. 95% of English-speaking tourists don't even attempt speaking Japanese, so you have no reason to be embarrassed. My advice is, just say easy keywords very slowly instead of using full sentences. Something like "sorry-where-train-to-Tokyo?" is much easier to understand than "excuse me, may I ask where the train...". People like helping tourists out in general and free wifis are everywhere so don't worry too much!

[@hentaimaster6221]

@@titan_o7 how is being an white American embarrassing?

[@user-wo5dv2tf9o]

Exactly! I appreciate your comment!

[@ZALMusic]

The moment at 5:35 has got to be the most family wholesome thing I've seen all day. Truly warmed my heart seeing this.

[@neiroryeh]

I feel bad for the lady in 3:51 her posture looks really painful

[@stephallan2543]

Laramel I noticed it too...we can agree to pray for her relief. She certainly has a pleasant and kind personality regardless. 🙇🏻‍♀️🙏🏽🕊❤️🔍.

[@OrientalPearl]

It's very common for people over 80 in Japan. My theory is that it's because that generation had a different lifestyle than today's Japanese. All the furniture was short and they sat on the floor all their lives.

[@wendyon4517]

@@OrientalPearl Very common is quite a stretch. On occasion we see see people in Japan hunched over like that woman. Twenty years ago it was still occasional but there were a lot more. It's quite sad to see them and think that they were once young, spright individuals. My best guess is that a lot worked in rice farming or other forms of labour that worked against them as they aged.

[@theloniousm4337]

@@wendyon4517 I was thinking the same thing. That woman also bends over and handles boxes on the ground with ease. I don't agree with the pity though - that woman is still in good shape and probably planted and tended to most of the veggies she is selling. She could work circles around you or I out in the garden. She would be fine if she did some stretching after all that heavy lifting and back bending all day - it has lingering effects.

[@jefe.amo32]

Women in general tend to lose a lot of calcium later in life. Also lack of vitamin D or sunshine, Asian women who are afraid of a tan.

[@takumas2409]

Cicadas in the background is actually relaxing for me and never sound like noise. You hear different species during the day and in the evening around the sunset, during mid-summer and beginning of autumn. Those tones make the Japanese seasonal transitions and remind me of different scenes in my childhood.

[@earlysda]

I love cicadas too, but wish they'd start their chorus a little later in the mornings. :)

[@samuraijackoff5354]

Helps me with my tinnitus

[@user-gs6du1ex1b]

蝉です、ミーン！w

[@donjohnson8627]

One time when visiting Japan about 10 years ago, I got left together in a house with a Japanese guy ( I think maybe my wife's second cousin or something like that) who was told that I spoke Japanese, so not to worry. I guess he just assumed that I could maybe say "Hello", "goodbye" and "please" and "thank you" in Japanese. So, later he was standing looking out a window and I struck up a conversation with him...speaking his language. It shocked the heck out of him and his reaction was pretty funny. Now, looking back at that incident, I'd guess that I was living in Japan teaching English and speaking Japanese on a daily basis LLOOOONNG before he was even born!! And back in those days (late 1960s and early 70s) Americans in Japan that spoke pretty fluent conversational Japanese were pretty rare, so I was quite accustomed to seeing funny reactions...especially from teen aged and on down kids!!

[@OrientalPearl]

Ha ha, some people have a big reaction.

[@BurningBridgeStudios]

@Marakis Dagnils I see you're also "anti-english"...

[@sagiriizumi8079]

In Japan I rarely get asked why I speak Japanese. It's like, "You're here. Of course you do."

[@alexsalazar5871]

It’s like America, seeing a Chinese speaking English even if it’s broken nobody cares because you just expect them to speak English.

[@alexandraradeva3549]

@雨の日 I am a Bulgarian, and I can definitely agree that everyone in Bulgaria expects foreigners to speak Bulgarian 😂. So I also expect that when I go to Japan or another foreign country the native people are also going to think I can speak their language. It is only natural like when you go to the UK everyone expects you to speak English. But I love learning Japanese language and I look forward to studying there. How was your trip to Bulgaria?

[@mai621]

I'm Japanese. In my opinion, many Japanese people can't speak foreign languages because Japan is isolated island. (I think education system is also one of the reasons😅)So Japanese people expect foreigners to speak Japanese. But I'm surprised if foreigners speak Japanese and I respect them !! (Sorry my English is not so good 🥲)

[@fruitydudexD]

@@mai621 your English is good 😊

[@maegalroammis6020]

@@mai621 good reason to have no respect on people like you.

[@xEnjoyTheMoment]

"the countryside is so quiet!" /cicadas going WILD in the background/

[@formulanostalgiachannel4361]

Story time! I once was a paid extra in a Japanese chorus singing in Paris. They were so friendly, smiling and polite! A Japanese-speaking extra (French-born), who was there with me, told me they were saying many compliments about me and all of us when talking to each other (the Japanese singers had no idea my French colleague understood Japanese). Beautiful people, it was a wonderful experience.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks for sharing your story.

[@maegalroammis6020]

no. They were just showing him their politeness.

[@masterofvoreth8636]

“This ain’t no ordinary Gaijin”.

[@Yeoubi347]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ohthatsnice7323]

I’m actually trying to learn Japanese though it’s hard knowing I’ve just become a freshman in high school! I plan to be fluent and visit Japan often! This really inspires me, thank you ❤️

[@OrientalPearl]

You can do it! You are starting much younger than I did.

[@shift3637]

Lol same

[@luxaly9510]

if u focus on speaking its not that hard if u want to read it its a different story cause of Kanji... but japanese are polite and helpful so in a restaurant u could just ask what it is cause u cant read Kani (or forgot that Kanji) and they might be very happy to help you out ^^ a game is coming out soon that has japanese VO and text etc. so u could learn japanese with a game playing in japanese (has options to display furigana(hiragana over the Kanji) i believe)

[@user-vs4pq6gh5o]

頑張れ💪 日本に遊びに来てね

[@UnderTheBridge579]

Here is a tip: learn kanji from the start. I studied japanese for 4 years, but always ran away from studying kanji, now while I can hold a conversation, I can't read or write at all. Definetely regret that, still trying to get around to actually learning.

[@bryanwonghong]

Its amazing how you are willing to open up and speak up too. Things like praising strangers for their clothing sense, striking up conversations. All these may seem simple when you know the language but having the courage and willingness to initiate a conversation is really tough and hard to do so kudos to you for showing us all these content through your videos!!!

[@epiccamper]

The images from the countryside were indeed very interesting, those places seem to be so relaxing! It reminded me of the time when I used to visit my grandpa in the interior, I would sit on the sidewalk on sunny days and simply watch the streets.

[@OrientalPearl]

Yes, the Japanese countryside is very charming.

[@henriqueseidi7431]

BR?

[@vagabaassassina3461]

@@henriqueseidi7431 Brbr tatata brbr tata brbr br

[@canalsedentarismo6837]

@@vagabaassassina3461 chego os macaco

[@chinmustache6420]

It’s satisfying to hear “Toukyou”, instead of “Tokio”

[@marzeneg]

I agree, I had to tell people that wanted to learn Japanese like me should start saying it like that because it's better that way to pronounce it as the "Toukyou" because it's just easier and you get more into the accent that way.

[@yyssaindane747]

Its Tokyo actually 😂

[@marzeneg]

@@yyssaindane747 Bruh lmao

[@Sun_beetle]

@@yyssaindane747 think they’re talking about the pronunciation

[@yyssaindane747]

@@Sun_beetle ic

[@charliebrisebois9972]

"It's really worth it to get out where it's a little quieter" Cicadas: Am I a joke to you ?

[@zyndr_]

That coastal scenery looked amazing! I've never seen those kind of views in Japan before. It reminds me a bit of the South Coast of England.

[@OrientalPearl]

Yeah, we had really good weather that day.

[@jamesdettmann94]

Yh I've always thought of China as the US of the far East, and Japan as the UK counterpart

[@jerkchickenblog]

@@OrientalPearl where was that by the way? everytime i get to the coast in japan it's completely overrun with people trying to sell stuff or kind of ruined and not in good shape

[@morelandmi1048]

NooooOoooo

[@potollomuck]

Kudos to you Anming You’re really a beam of sunshine in this ever dividing world. You show us that we are capable of getting along together no matter of our origin or culture.

[@miguimau]

Absolutely!

[@itsmedave5446]

I am impressed when someone speaks more then one language but to speak Japanese and chines is super cool

[@snooks5607]

one funny thing about hanging around in multicultural group is invariably someone gets too comfortable/absentminded and forgets who speaks what and uses the wrong language. usually just couple words but every now and then you get to pretend to listen attentively and see how long it takes them.

[@Randy1337]

They are turning their heads because they can hear that you are a foreigner.

[@OrientalPearl]

That’s right, that was the point of the video

[@shalashaskalives]

You're also speaking about 3 or 4 times louder than Japanese people do. That would do it every time! Standard click-bait nonsense video.

[@keiranwoodcock9625]

@@OrientalPearl You know when a Japanese individual says, "Wow! Your japanese is really good!" That they really don't mean it that way? Think of it like someone saying snidely, "Oh yeah, really good, for a dumb foreigner." Like honestly how deluded are you? xD The first head turn in the video was one of disgust and shock, not surprise that some white chick has "mastered" their tongue, seriously tho, delusional.

[@AnnaHans88]

@@keiranwoodcock9625 lol why would they be disgusted and shocked? Are you projecting? You seem to have something against this person for no good reason.

[@Mylittlebooster12]

@@shalashaskalives Exactly my thoughts too. I don't know why I find her videos annoying.

[@aburguesiafede3912]

My day is happier when i watch your videos thanks for making me happy 💐

[@OrientalPearl]

I'm so glad to hear that!

[@sanigdhaya2488]

I went to Japan around 5 years back, and my japanese was really broken and bad back then but the people were so appreciative of me trying to learn japanese and japanese culture. I was in Osaka and kyoto

[@azziebean4773]

Her speaking chinese sounds more like a first language, it's so natural

[@doubled3082]

Almost 94,000......so proud of all your hard work. Visiting my son at his college and watched more videos!

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks for watching Dan! It's been a lot of fun making all of these videos.

[@yamiyugi8123]

🤩

[@user-wh9wv7co7u]

I'm proud to be Japanese😻Enjoy your trip! I will continue to cheer people who study Japanese!

[@Nehmeer]

I wish I was born in Japan 🇯🇵 hehe. It’s so goooooooood , I love Japan . Will try to learn Japanese kinda hard tho

[@simple.1829]

@@Nehmeer I don’t mean to offend you but Japan is not better place to be born. We have to work like hell and lot of bully cause high rate of suicides. I’m Japanese and I like my country’s culture too but I could definitely say this is not a better place to live.

[@simple.1829]

@Sarah Richter Both. Japanese politeness are just superficial. Some of us seem very friendly however they diss you behind your back. We always watch news about a suicide of student who has been bullied. You know suicides are everywhere no matter what nationality you are..

[@matusmagyar5282]

@@simple.1829 i think Japanese could be very racist to people from.different countries, not because of skin but because of nationality , i am from Slovakia which is technically part of Soviet block , central Europe , and i wirked with Germans and with Japanese too, i feel that you CAN prove to German that you are not just post-communistic piece of sh*t , but its hard , maybe impossible, to prove Japanese that you are something more that you are , i feel.they are very isolated and not tolerating that stuffs, for example, when i will go to work as Ambulance driver in German, i can prove them that i can do my job and help.people even when i am from post communism country, but i feel that i cannot.prove that to Japanese people and i still will be just a piece of shit , what do you think about it ? please let.me know

[@IATEALLTHECHEESE]

@@simple.1829 Here in New Zealand we also have a high suicide rate. People seeming friendly and then dissing you behind your back is also fairly common.

[@bxzidffbxzidff]

The difference between urban and rural is so true. In Tokyo people were polite but of course you are just another stranger and they understandibly don't care that much, but on the countryside people would sometimes stop and greet me from across the street and be very happy that I at least attempted speaking some Japanese despite being poor at it. Two very different experiences!

[@tinotrivino]

Its amazing how good your accent is. Being an American with a lot of phonetic problems for foreign languages you talk like you were living there forever. hugs from Spain

[@drmoynihan]

We miss Japan soooo much! We would love to be back this Christmas . . . . but . . . . My wife is a MK and born and raised in Japan. We have been married 40 years (Oregon USA) and periodically visit Friends and Relatives in Japan. Every time we go, she gets a reaction many times. My translation is the Japanese reacts with surprise and says, "Your accent is perfect!!!" It doesn't matter where we go in Japan - we get the same reaction. And then the friendliness and surprising familiarity opens up!!! We love Japan, with the last time being in January at the Sapporo Winter Festival, and then Sendai with Friends like Family, and then Nara with Family.

[@OrientalPearl]

I hope that you can get back to Japan as soon as possible. Japan misses you as much as you miss it.

[@gregmonks9708]

I've had that experience with a rural restaurant- all the staff came and sat with us, and even tried giving us our order on the house. Some of the older guys wanted to practice their English on us. I don't think I've ever laughed so much.

[@aurazombieee]

So incredibly helpful! Thank you for taking the time to produce this for us!

[@alexandermario7152]

OMG I am speechless and in a way embarrassed to give up learning Japanese! You are just sooo awesome! Glad I ran into this video.

[@MarcoCorteMcore]

not so hard to reach that level when you live there. I've studied 1 year and half in a school in tokyo, then lived for 3 years there. Basically, at the first time when you study, you think "omg I cant remember all"..after few weeks you start to use the sentence you though impossible to remeber naturally.. I've reach almost that level in 3 years and I'm really not that good in studying ahah. But living with my wife for one year improved my skill a lot.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you! 😃

[@joshuaoreilly5640]

Lovely interactions. Being able to communicate in a foreign country is beautiful and rewarding. I’m envious right now of these conversations!

[@MaessyChan]

Woah! The first American woman who's speak in Chinese Mandarin and Japanese language FLUENTLY! 很有親切感👍❤️

[@kimberlyrobeson-hoffman8266]

These videos warm my heart. Very proud that you are filming and sharing! I have never been to Japan but love the culture & the delicious food!!! Living through you right now!

[@holdyourplums4204]

04:37 Just seeing that woman's reaction, made watching this worthwhile.... That was brilliant.

[@JayCee2020]

I would love to be you and talk to everyone 😂 Going to rural japan alone has been a dream of mine but still too shy to go travel alone especially when my Japanese is at elementary level

[@OrientalPearl]

Rural Japan is a pretty cool place. It's very charming. Brush up on your Japanese and you will enjoy it even more.

[@JayCee2020]

@Jordan Fernandez I actually didn't learn ANY Japanese until I went to Japan. I studied from the basics in a Japanese language school. Tbh, it didn't help much when I never used Japanese outside. I definitely regretted that. Being in Japan for a few years now, I feel a little useless because my Japanese level is still very basic. It didn't help also when I only use English while working so.. It is hard to just start talking to people, even in English, so I get you. But practicing with natives is 100% the best way to improve.

[@michaelfoxkebe3953]

Hello how are you doing today and how is the weather condition over there?

[@oceanmango]

I’m only on my second semester of learning Japanese so i’m pretty much still a beginner but this made me really excited to continue and major in!! Right now we’re on chapter 8, which is all about shopping and prices. I’m at the point where I can understand select words and phrases, but i still have trouble speaking instead of writing :) thank you for motivating me!!

[@kendehl]

The reaction from lost foreigners in the subways when they realize you can speak English is like meeting Jesus in the flesh. It's a godsend. 😂

[@thineevee7345]

Lol

[@ZimbaZumba]

I lived in China and became fairly proficient in Chinese, I mastered a fair amount of the local dialect as well. When I went outside of the city people were just amazed to see a Westerner, but you are correct speaking Chinese caused utter amazement. Learning the language opens the country up to you to. I was staggered that some westerners who had been there for decades could barely speak a word of the language, it was such a waste of an opportunity. Learning Chinese has enriched me no end and allowed interactions and connections, both in China and back home, that I would never be able to have otherwise. Chinese is not a complicated language though some of the sounds can be tough at first, the writing does take more time though. Going to China or Japan can be a brave move, but for some returning home can be even more difficult. I met too many western English teachers, both in China and Japan, who had been there way too long and had become trapped. Having a return plan is important. My years in China were some of the most rewarding of my life. Returning for me was easy as I was working for an outside tech company. Although done in a stealth manner, older Chinese women are the most forward women I have met in any culture. I have never had so many invitations for lunch etc in my life. Much of this is just inquisitiveness and about making connection, sometimes it was most certainly not. There were some hidden away restaurants were women would usually take me, mostly to show me off to other women doing the same I think. Frankly, I enjoyed the attention I would not get back in the West; I also enjoy the company of women. Some western men do not have the maturity to deal with this attention and make a mess of it. Upon returning home, retaining the language can be really difficult unless you have someone to speak to on a regular basis. Fortunately I have many Chinese co-workers.

[@OrientalPearl]

That's great that you have many Chinese coworkers to speak to! That's a big advantage.

[@Richard-fv7rq]

It must be fantastic speaking the 'local' language. Big respect.

[@cloneskiller]

Ive always wanted to learn either spanish or an asian language. It just seems so cool to be able to communicate with other countries.

[@topcat7150]

do it

[@dogetge7544]

Aaaa hacelo pibe, el español es un toque complicado y depende de qué país lo aprendas quizás uses un dialecto u otro, pero dejando de eso no sé si es demasiado difícil. Con la práctica, hábito y constancia vas a estar más cerca de tus sueños y se van a dejar de ver imposibles o irrealizables. You should definitely start learning another language, it opens a big world of entertainment (? At least that was my case. Also you might be interested in finding the most "pleasing to hear" accent in Spanish or the language that you're ttrying to learn. Personally i like the British accent, it is so relaxing, and maybe the swede accent too, it sounds so friendly.

[@IATEALLTHECHEESE]

Then start! It takes time and practise, but it's definitely achievable!

[@cerisecerezacherry]

Learning languages are so cool you should definitely try. I only know 2 because I grew up speaking them but I would definitely want to learn more.

[@elpino8503]

@@dogetge7544 Me compadezco de los pobres extrangeros que se tienen que aprender las conjugaciones XD

[@lifesabroad]

The irony of learning Japanese... I understood ‘わかりました’ 😅

[@jessebiller5303]

These videos are really fun to watch. Thank you.

[@n1k1george]

When I go to Japan, I often like to go far off the beaten path to visit very rural parts of Japan where foreigners are rarely seen. Having grown up in Tokyo during the 1960s, I speak Japanese like a native which really elicits a puzzled look at first. But once they realize that the Japanese culture was also ingrained in me from that experience, they quickly feel "safe" and open up. Such interactions with people in the rural areas are always a highlight on my visits there.

[@lairddougal3833]

My wife and I found ourselves at a small izakaya near Aomori a couple of years ago. It was very much a locals’ place and, although everyone was scrupulously polite, we were a bit unexpected. Foreigners were rare visitors. Our Japanese is limited, but as always we made the effort and from that point our experience was the same as your own. Everyone joined us and once our Japanese was exhausted, phones with translator apps did the rest. It turned out that many there were All Black fans (we’re from New Zealand). It had been noted that during the Rugby World Cup the All Blacks made a point of bowing to the home crowd after each game. That helped break the ice even further. A lot of sake was drunk, there was much laughter and we had the best time. I greatly look forward to returning. Thank you Japan.

[@sirsquirrel0]

What a lovely video. Thank you for sharing it with us. All the best

[@RPS_FFRK]

You guys/gals are amazing heh. I'm amazed at multilingual people :D I enjoyed the vid alot. I love the views and scenery even if for a short while. Take care and enjoy!

[@danielssuarez4813]

Yeeeeees, loving this Everytime!!

[@Minato-Wankotori]

説明がとても上手ですね💛 その上 誰とでもすぐにコミュニケーションがとれて素晴らしいと思いました😊 You're a good explainer.　　It's great to be able to communicate with anyone right away.　🌸🌸🌸

[@OrientalPearl]

ありがとうございます。

[@Jonagazerock]

3:27 I died of tenderness and sadness with that working grandmother at that age and with that posture. She is so kind, god bless her. 😥

[@pandaplutten2573]

I'm so impressed! Although I can hear a (slight) accent in your Japanese, your mandarin is spot on! I'm half Hong-Kongese and half-Japanese myself. Living in Scandinavia =)

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you! 😃

[@dandeguzmanjr.2519]

I am so very impressed with your abilities speaking Chinese and Japanese fluently. Thank you for sharing your journey and you bring me a lot of memories I had when I was stationed in Japan with the U.S. Air Force (Yokota Air Base) -- U.S. Forces Japan.

[@OrientalPearl]

You probably had a very unique experience here in Japan too!

[@shift3637]

Your videos have kinda moved me to learn japanese. (Along with the Spanish I'm already learning bc its an actual school option lol) Seeing someone (especially someone from my state lol) living in Japan and speaking it pretty well is so cool to me. I just hope once school starts i still feel like studying often. Im still young so i hope I'll get a whole lot better by the time im in my twenties. Have a nice day!

[@lucalucente3797]

Thank you for your video, very informative and interesting.

[@kola9351]

Aww that grandma was so adorable

[@analennyja]

I love your videos ❤ and while watching them I realized how little attention we who learn English as second or third language get, even though we put so much work into becoming fluent in it. I'm really impressed with everyone who manages to know any kind of language and interacts with locals.

[@OrientalPearl]

Speaking with the locals is the best part of all.

[@DutchVikingGuy21]

It feels really good to see people appreciate the effort you take to learn their language. I remember speaking Chinese in Taiwan with another foreigner (I'm Dutch, he's Portuguese), and so many people were suprised we didn't communicate in English but in Chinese haha. One of my best memories, so much fun.

[@sen.x2607]

BRO ITS SO BEAUTIFUL IT SENDS LIKE CHILLS DOWN MY BACK AND MAKES ME GO EXCITED

[@akihikosakurai4013]

6:07 "it's really worth it to get out where it's a little quieter" *intense cicada sounds in the background*

[@Japanimal1992]

I live in rural Kyushuu and anywhere I go, I automatically get stared at. Then when im at, say, a restaurant, then order in Japanese, everyone starts staring again lol.

[@MiCHIBiKU_]

and somehow i understand that feel... xD

[@didgewilson8638]

Lol

[@didgewilson8638]

@Aeyahul Dianyisas you do that not them you

[@didgewilson8638]

@Aeyahul Dianyisas I dress ruff not suits just jeans T-shirt and freestyle feet don't you do that they probably have to take you to a luni bin

[@didgewilson8638]

Kyushu 😎 as ey

[@Gresaaa]

Loved this! I recently started learning Japanese and I feel so good about it! I left university like 6 years ago and feel my brain degrading 😂😭✌️ thank you for the great videos! You’re so inspiring

[@OrientalPearl]

I'm so glad that you are interested in studying Japanese.

[@lorruc6490]

Just found this video, was wondering if I should pursue learning Japanese culture and language and this solidified it. Thank you for the great video, glad I found another great content creator to sub to!

[@OrientalPearl]

I hope you’ll subscribe 😊

[@lorruc6490]

@@OrientalPearl Already did, currently binging your content! Thanks for giving me a new found love for Japan!

[@adaml0763]

Japan the land of dreams I love it very much from tunisia 🇹🇳🇯🇵

[@Necrodermis]

In my experience the Japanese get surprised and show it when you speak their language without any foreign accents in it. they get even more surprised when you speak to them in distinct dialect like kyoto or hakata. gets even funnier when they learn you actually are born in Japan but have mixed blood and they just assumed you were from elsewhere.

[@mxd-1990asn]

Thats mainly the case if youre mixed , you often dont exactly look like the people there, im from thailand and mixed thai-chinese (but MANY people are thai-chinese and not considered as foreign in thailand ,thai mixed but still full asian isnt really seen as foreign here and youre just accepted as Thai , thats different thing if youre half black/hispanic/middle eastern which refers to any volks in west asia+ north africa/white or South asian *indian/pakistani/nepalese etc'* ). Some of my cousins are half asian/white ,and born/raised here ,so they speak the language fluently , people either start to talk in english (unless my biracial relatives talk thai first) or they keep talking english and ignore that they speak the language fluent...worst cases (the people assume they are not from asia ,cause they look more white than asian,therefore they assume my cousins are foreigners), mainly though ,if they see them talking good enough thai ,they mainly talk thai back (or whatever dialect it is, since even here theres 4 different dialects, where especially 2 of them are quite different).

[@adambihi3752]

I really like your insight on things. The way you analyze stuff is great (y)

[@drtydawg73]

being english and never having learnt any other language i am always amazed how native english speakers can learn and speak so fluintly in foreign languages. huge respect to you. :-)

[@simondunstall3520]

I love the reaction i get in Guangzhou for me it relax's them and makes them feel proud that you went all the way to learn the language, In HK English is spoken more often now buy the young folk but its still a buzz for them and for me when we can relax and talk in their native tongue. Keep up the videos love them.

[@evan1786]

something about the cicadas is so relaxing also so close to 100k, your channel is blowing up!!!

[@OrientalPearl]

I hope to get to 100k in 2 weeks.

[@cw4767]

This was my experience too. I was in the suburbs in Tokyo with a friend of mine who looks very classically Western who speaks Japanese, and a sweet old lady stopped during her walk to tell her that she speaks beautiful Japanese. Many times in Tokyo people didn't bat an eye, except with elderly folk in "older" parts of the city, like Asakusa, where they became very interested and wanted to talk. Even at an izakaya under Skytree (that makes excellent liver skewers, wish I could remember the name so I could go back), they were really enthusiastic that she could speak it so well. But outside Tokyo, people (especially older) became very curious and eager to have conversations about how she learned the language. It's a real ice-breaker!

[@OrientalPearl]

That’s a really nice memory! How sweet.

[@bangchanswebbrowsinghistor5145]

im French lived in Japan for a while, the day that I arrived in Osaka, it was an evening and I looked for a small traditional yet affordable sushi place to have my first dinner. as in entered ready to eat alone I had the most lovely meal with 2 elder academic professors and their spouses who offered my sake and invited my before wishing me good luck. they were the nicest I will always remember this feeling of warmth and welcoming energy.

[@fischi3008]

Oh my, what are you made of? Ability to speak two difficult Asian languages fluently, besides the hard work you must be talented in languages at the same time. Respect!!!

[@aniar.3314]

I really want to learn Japanese to a level where I can have little chats with people when I'm there - this is super motivational! :)

[@OrientalPearl]

You can do it! A little Japanese can go a long way.

[@economicdevelopment5972]

She is good and has rich vocabulary, also polite and well behaved. In addition, probably the very bright nature of the character helps too

[@alvoscares]

I´m from Argentina and I use your videos to practice English. Your content is very entertaining, I´m very happy to have discovered this channel. Continue like this !!

[@allyquintero7981]

I loved the thematic of this video, the editing, the landscapes and the script 😍😍 everything was amazing

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks so much! This video took forever to edit because I changed the theme about 5 times.

[@JustClaude13]

Language ability can be surprising. When I went to Osaka I didn't find many people in that cosmopolitan international city that could speak understandable English. But when I went to Sakurai in the back country of southern Nara prefecture I met 4 very good English speakers while visiting the temple.

[@treehann]

what a lovely video! I will check out more of yours. It's also pleasant listening to someone who speaks rather slowly and clearly in all languages even English. I can understand the Japanese clearly too as a beginner that way.

[@Parai070]

This was nice to watch thank you

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks for watching

[@rtyzxc]

Just a random watcher passing by, those views are GORGEOUS!

[@JustARat1212]

It’s always so amazing and so cool to see foreigners speak Japanese! It’s kinda why I was inspired to learn english and spanish! (Along with my parents helping me learn english) It’s always surprising and I’m curious to learn how much they speak.

[@timcullimore7443]

this is so cool! keep posting these videos! i just stumbled upon your video by accident! and i enjoyed it!

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks Tim. I hope you subscribe and a joy some more videos.

[@ezequielquinones4967]

I’m glad I found channel :). Very pleasant to watch.

[@vexsalt471]

I seriously find Japanese people so wholesome and sweet.

[@user-wo5dv2tf9o]

Thank you. I'm sure you are too. ❤️from🇯🇵😊

[@ill_big_donuts]

im japanese .i love china. i love japan. i love each difference!! be excellent to each other!!! party on dudes

[@liwang8851]

You are really encouraging. I just moved to Tokyo from Toronto 2 months ago. Hope I can speak Japanese as good as you

[@leiag201]

I would just appreciate the fact that you took the time to learn the language. we have people in the states that have been living here for 20 years, and cant speak a lick of english

[@tompinnef6331]

It is always fun to watch their reactions when you speak to them in their native tongue. Hope you are doing well. Take care and be safe. 'Spin'

[@somchaisaetang3974]

I’m sooo early commenting on your video hope you have a great day.

[@paulacoelho8854]

There’s something so satisfying in the way you say “...ですよ〜〜” You sound so engaged it would make me never want to end a conversation with you haha am I making any sense here? 😂

[@AndaribnMuzibek]

Chinese and Japanese! And you speak both of them! IT'S REALLY IMPRESSIVE! No words... Bravo!!!

[@RoF112]

It's also possible that the head turning may have to do with the foreign accent arousing curiosity (as opposed to specifically a foreigner speaking the language). A bit of an anecdote: I'm ethnically Chinese, though having grown up in the US I do have a slight accent... When I went to China, as soon as I opened my mouth to speak I'd see a few people turn their heads. It was admittedly a little embarrassing, but I was pleasantly surprised that people generally just went back to going about their business

[@robisamagician]

You have the most good-natured comment section of any KZbin channel, which shows you that the world is like a mirror. Put out positive energy and receive it back :) ありがとうございます、アンミングさん。

[@OrientalPearl]

That's good! I like when people write kind comments.

[@eugenegm]

I have been watching NHK news so much that I have started to study Japanese. I speak several European languages already, and currently I am using Duolingo to study Irish, Hawaiian, Czech, Hungarian, Romanian and Japanese. Particularly in countries with a relatively small population, locals are pleased when you speak a little bit of their language.

[@dzl8596]

Great video. Makes me want to learn Japanese AND Chinese.

[@jaredf6205]

I could never imagine, in the US, commenting on a non-native speakers English skills without them bringing up the topic first.

[@evandugas7888]

I think America is used to living in a multicultural society though

[@dakota.7617]

@@evandugas7888 super true i mean literally you can go up the road and eat at chinese, thai, japanese, mexican, etc etc so many different restaurants and they all host native speakers of the language. so most americans, although can’t speak any of those languages, are super used to seeing all different peoples which i think is dope