sanjo 2 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 ...what do you say? Nothing? Arigato Arigato gozaimashita Domo Other? Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Depends on how significant a purchase it is and/or how helpful the person was. But "doumo" at a minimum, for example at a convenience store. "Gochisousama deshita" at restaurants. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I prefer to be too polite than the other way round. I dislike bad manners. Link to post Share on other sites
onehunga 26 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I say Thank you, in English. Most of the staff at the local shops know I don't speak Japanese, so I thank them in English, but always say something. If they are polite to me, it's only good manners to be polite back. Link to post Share on other sites
teikiatsulover 6 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I'm always quite polite in restaurants, too. I always acknowledge the servers as I never want anybody to think what a rude foreigner. Link to post Share on other sites
hellyer 216 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 As Metabo suggested I always say Gochisousama (thank you for the meal) to the restaurant owner and/or chef after a good meal. It is great to see their look of surprise and appreciation that a gaijin has made the effort. Quite often followed by much jolly chat and an invitation to stay for another drink or two. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I always say "domo" Link to post Share on other sites
stemik 14 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Even though I can speak Japanese, I enjoy saying Thank-you with a big smile. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I go the polite route as well. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 My wife always says to me..."How come you are so nice to everyone else...but such an A-hole to us (wife and daughter)?" I think she exaggerates on the latter part......... Link to post Share on other sites
r45 4 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Arigatou gyoza insanity. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
r45 4 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Actually I don't say that, my iPad thinks I do! Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Ahh.....auto correct, how it loves to mock us Link to post Share on other sites
peterson 0 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Somehow I feel a bit daft saying just domo. Link to post Share on other sites
@tokyo 14 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Me too. Doesn't suit me. I usually give off a friendly arigato. Link to post Share on other sites
HeatherLocklearRocks 1 Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Right or wrong, people are going to judge me as a representative of my country, nay all gaijin countries. So I generally try to be polite and create a positive impression. Part of living in a foreign country I suppose, more so in one like Japan. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Heather would most certainly approve... Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 I remember once I was totally knackered and not in the best of moods. I wasn't too friendly to a kid in a shop and gave him short shrift. Unfortunately that seemed to make a lasting impression and it was 'the talk of the town'. Exciting town, yes. Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 I use politeness it is the normal thing to do. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 Just say arigatou. Same as I would do in the UK. Except I would say Thank You. And not arigatou. As that would be weird. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 Although may be fun Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 In that vein, I find that saying "sumimasen" when bumping into people over in Gaikoku (as I seem to do naturally if I don't think real hard about it) seems to work just fine. I think most folks don't pay attention to what one says under the circumstances, but they do appreciate it if one says something. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Yes, I end up saying a lot of small Japanese things back in England. Feel a bit silly, but when you speak Japanese every day, it's bound to happen. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 I often find myself bowing to people.....much to the amusement of my friends and family Link to post Share on other sites
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