Shogun The Way To Go Home
(I work at the local train station. Having spent half my life living in Los Angeles, and the other living in Tokyo, I speak both English and Japanese. The other station masters tend to bring tourists to me, since their English isn’t as good as mine. A tourist approaches me and speaks loudly, slowly, and with very large hand gestures.)
Tourist: “I’m trying to get to [Station]! Can you help me?”
Me: “Yes, ma’am. I actually grew up in Los Angeles, so I can speak English.”
Tourist: *still speaking in the same way* “No, I’m not from Los Angeles! I’m trying to get to [Station]!”
Me: “No, ma’am, I just meant that I spent a lot of time in Los Angeles.”
Tourist: “No! Not Los Angeles! [Station]!”
(The woman’s husband, hearing his wife shouting, joins us.)
Tourist’s Husband: *to his wife* “What’s going on?”
Tourist: “This dumb guy keeps asking if we’re from Los Angeles!”
Tourist’s Husband: “Why would he think that?”
Tourist: “I don’t know!”
Tourist’s Husband: *to me, speaking clearly, but not extremely slowly* “We’re trying to get to [Station].”
(I provide directions to the station.)
Tourist’s Husband: “You speak English very well!”
Me: “Thank you, sir. As I tried to explain to your wife, I grew up in Los Angeles, so I speak English.”
Tourist’s Husband: *sighs* “I’m sorry you had to put up with her. Thanks for the directions.”
(As they are walking away, I hear the woman proudly tell her husband, “I told you those Japanese lessons we took would pay off!”)
This story is part of our lost customer roundup!
Read the next lost customer roundup story!
Read the lost customer roundup!
This story is part of our Japan roundup!
Read the next Japan roundup story!
Read the Japan roundup!
Question of the Week
Tell us your story about a customer who couldn't understand the most simple concept.
