Teaching English in Japan episode 71: What does "reading the air" mean? How does one even read air?

[@shiyelia]

Going with the flow is a great way to adjust in Asian countries. This is very informative.

[@MyRadicalKanjiWorld]

Does Korea do something similar?

[@shiyelia]

@@MyRadicalKanjiWorld yes, it's similar culture .

[@MyRadicalKanjiWorld]

I find that to be fascinating. I'm curious, do you feel that Koreans in general seem to dislike the Japanese? The reason I ask is because I have met Japanese people that are not a fan of Korea, and I just think it's interesting when two countries may not like each other and yet there similarities in culture.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Such an important lesson

[@MyRadicalKanjiWorld]

Definitely one of the hard ones. People tend to not teach you the rules. You have to pick up on them yourself

[@JapanSeikatsu]

Your concrete examples illustrate the importance of ‘reading the air’ so well, it’s one of the most important pillars of Japanese culture (and a great skill to deepen). Keep up the great content!

[@MyRadicalKanjiWorld]

Thank you very much! Got any examples you'd like to add to the list?

[@lindajustacrochetsister4659]

😘🥰

[@MyRadicalKanjiWorld]

Glad you liked it! Hope you had a good New Year!

[@Pixics]

You have to really have good empathy skills to be able to read the air.

[@MyRadicalKanjiWorld]

Yes you do. I feel it is difficult at times for Americans because we are used to being so straight about how we feel or things we want. In Japan that type of manner is considered too direct which is why reading the air is such an important part of the culture here.

[@Pixics]

I've been to Kura Sushi, spent like $70 bucks for lunch. I got to really watch out when I go there.

[@MyRadicalKanjiWorld]

$70 bucks!!!!! Granted I don't remember the cost of sushi there in America. Was it just a flat $2.50 a plate? I could imagine hitting $70 easily then if you're feeding a whole family. America's Kura Sushi, I felt had like a guaranteed prize every five plates...or maybe it was every 15. Do you know? In Japan I usually eat 15 plates worth (one piece of high grade sashimi can = 2 plates) and then I usually win one out of every three times.

[@Pixics]

@@MyRadicalKanjiWorld Yeah, I think it was a guaranteed prize. I haven't ate there in a while after that expensive lunch. It was only 3 of us.

[@bobfranklin2572]

It seems the better you are at Japanese, the less you can get away with, and the sooner you become a 'KY' 😅

[@MyRadicalKanjiWorld]

I thought about mentioning "KY" but felt I might go off on a tangent there. Definitely an important thing to note. And yes, the more you know the less you get away with. Even with learning the language. I have co-workers now learning Japanese for the first time and my Japanese co-workers heap praise on them. Everything is "sugoi". But for someone like me who is N2 and lower business conversation level, I'm too smart to be praised, and dumb enough to cause frustrations do to miscommunication on my end because I'm not quick enough to keep up with native level Japanese. I will say what is really fun are those few moments where my wife doesn't pick up on something and I call her a KY. That gets me a little punch in the arm. Haha.