turning japanese-ah!

i would say about 70% of tourists (at least in my area) are japanese. go fly my way and you’ll see them here, there, and everywhere. no wonder it is a requirement by my choice of airline that frontline employees get to know that language. speak japanese or we're not hiring you! – that’s the clear message. ergo, turning japanese-ah! is my resolution this year.

the first time i looked at the study guide, i resembled a no-read-no-write little girl. how do i say “ onimotsu ga ooki no de; watakushi ga chekkuin shimassho”??? and who can read “toire dewa otabako wa suwanai de kudasai”??? holy macaroni.. this, definitely, is torture. that’s why i didn’t date a japanese -- i can’t pronounce their words, let alone read their characters!

but i’m married to my love for flying so on to this tongue twister exercise..

surprise, surprise.. one month after, i rock! throw me a japanese conversation now, from 'konichiwa' to 'dajooba desu ka?' to 'mata owai shimashoo' to 'sayonara' and whatever there is in between, i can handle the situation. just make sure it’s "cabin talk" (you know, be considerate and limit the discussion to your needs on air, please); otherwise, i’m still lost.. which brings me back to my problem of conquering the japanese infested flights.

but then again, thanks to the glossary below that i got somewhere, i just might be able to bridge the gap.. and with a good laugh!

Learn Japanese in 3 minutes...

English: He's cleaning his automobile
Japanese: Wa Shing Ka

English: This is a tow away zone
Japanese: No Pah King

English: Is there a fugitive here?
Japanese: Hu Yu Hai Ding?

English: Small Horse
Japanese: Tai Ni Po Ni

English: Your price is too high!!
Japanese: No Bai Nut Ting!!

English: Did you go to the beach?
Japanese: Wai Yu So Tan?

English: I bumped into a coffee table
Japanese: Ai Bang Mai Ni

English: It's very dark in here
Japanese: Wai So Dim?

English: Has your flight been delayed?
Japanese: Hao Long Wei Ting?

English: I thought you were on a diet?
Japanese: Wai Yu Mun Ching?

English: They have arrived
Japanese: Hia Dei Kum

English: Your body odour is offensive
Japanese: Yu Stin Ki Pu

English: You know lyrics to the Macarena?
Japanese: Wai Yu Sing Dum Song?

English: I got this for free
Japanese: Ai No Pei

English: Stay out of sight
Japanese: Lei Lo

nice one, eh?
isn’t it great.. what language has done to separate people of different races, humor tries to reunite to save the day!
in joan's words, "if i ever hook with a japanese guy, i'm set!" :-) he..he..

i kid you not, a joke is a welcome tool in one’s survival kit when struggling in this world.
i'll keep it handy.
as life goes on.