Wednesday, February 07, 2007
I am the Grinch, only not so green
Two nights ago, our new next-door neighbor gave us a beautifully-wrapped present from a Ginza shop because he wants to say sorry in advance that he works so late. Maybe.He tried to say it slowly the 3rd time and I only got the possible meaning of it when Jon got home. Until finally, to relieve him from the traumatic experience, I said "Arigato gozaimashita!" and then asked him his name. After the introductions and 10 billion bows, he went off. With regrets, I think.
And I didn't even say "Yoroshiku." I'm such a gai-jin.
And now, while munching on expensive rice crackers (many thanks Yamada-san!) I keep thinking of what to do in return so we won't make such a bad impression.
My brain's hurting, this is so stressful. Insufferability is my forte, not this. Why do the people here have to be so kind? ** Why God why??? I wish he didn't give us anything na lang.
Bah, humbug.
** And thin? And have nice clothes? And good hair? Hmph.
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sabi nga nang ka-opisina ni wood, na ang mga hapon raw kung murahin ka ng f*** you ay super polite parin ang dating! :P kaya raw hindi niya kayang magalit. i wonder if that's true. mwahaha.
"because he wants to say sorry in advance that he works so late"
Unless he plays in a band late at night then he has nothing to be sorry about. Or the walls dividing your unit from theirs are made from japanese origami papers.
here, it's a tradition for mga bagong-lipat to give something to their neighbors. Usually towel lang, ewan ko ba kung bakit masyadong bongga tong binigay niya. Maybe it's the more modern thing to do, who knows.
Hindi pa ko namumura (na naintindihan ko) so I wouldn't really know. Pero malamang.