Every three months I get my hair cut. The date tends to fall around the beginning of the new semester, although this time I waited a little while. It's become a pretty good way to gauge my language progress, my stylist being my constant.
When I first went to get my hair cut, a secretary from the school went with me to help me make the appointment. I brought a picture of what I wanted to look like. Today, after making an appointment, I gave instructions for how I wanted it done, and we had pleasant chit chat. Awkward at times, and a couple minutes where I was in the dark, but mostly good communication. He is a great guy, and very patient.
The highlight was, I asked him to help me with the natural way to make an appointment over the phone. He then wrote out the script and we practiced it. How cool is that?
It's often said that Japanese people often bring up the same topics when they meet a foreigner here:
- Do you like sushi?
- Do you like natto?
- Can you use chopsticks?
- How's Japanese lifestyle?
And, this would be true. To date, I would say 70% of Japanese people I have spent time with have broached one or more of these subjects. But-I have realized that as I am able to carry my weight during the conversation, these subject don't come up. I mean, clearly, these people don't care about what I can and can't eat, but when I was totally unable to communicate, I realize that not only did I put the burden on them to come up with topics to discuss, but I snickered about the lameness of their choices.
How lame is that?
Day by day, I have a little more control of the conversation. The goal is 50-50, right? So even if I ask, "Hey, what do I say when I call to make an appointment?", that's more interesting than how I eat my food.