Casual Conversation2023-12-05•4 min read
Laughed at by a Lawson Cashier: An Embarrassing Moment in Japan
The biggest mental barrier on my first trip to Japan: saying the wrong intonation at a convenience store.
BP
Bagas Prasetyo
Founder Manebun
Key Takeaways
- Making speaking mistakes is normal and makes lessons stick forever.
- Pitch accent matters, but speaking courage matters even more.
- Native speakers appreciate effort from learners trying to speak Japanese.
On my first trip to Japan last year, I walked into Lawson confident about buying onigiri and green tea. The cashier asked: "Fukuro wa yoroshii desu ka?" (Do you need a plastic bag?).
I wanted to reply casually: "Hai, iru!". Suddenly the cashier smiled and suppressed a laugh. Turns out my pitch accent was wrong! Instead of 'Iru' (need), my intonation sounded like 'Iru' (exist/live). To them, I said: 'Yes, the plastic bag lives here!'
While embarrassing, that mistake permanently seared the word into my memory. Making mistakes is part of the growth process.
Tags:#Experience#Japan#Mental Block#Lawson