Dual languages

Today, I had my second "I'm in Japan" feeling. The first was the time I was able to see Mount Fuji from the 26th floor of my university building, which, oddly enough, wasn't the one that declared itself to be the one that you could see Fuji from. The second time was being overtaken by the Shinkansen while on a local commuter train that was filled with salarymen.

This was on the way to Shinagawa, for the purpose of applying for a work permit, a process I should have perhaps began a while ago. It was a very simple process, only taking about fifteen minutes overall, but featured a slightly odd exchange, which is also the second of two things.

While being given instructions in Japanese for part of my application, there was an instance where I didn't quite pick up on what the lady was telling me, prompting her to instantly switch from polite Japanese to a rather thick Southern American drawl. It almost sounded like a completely different woman, which is not something I expected in the slightest. I felt rather envious, in fact. I left the place feeling that I hope I can easily switch between languages so simply, rather than being able to work.

The other odd exchange occured on Wednesday, which was a holiday. Having the day off, I decided that, having received some money for an early joint birthday/Christmas present from my mother, I was going to make a trip to Akihabara to replace what is now an almost ten year old digital camera. I did have my mind on one already, but before purchasing that, I found one that had superior specs for a lower price. So, naturally, I went for that, and had to explain to the attendant that, as I was in Japan for a year, five year insurance would not be necessary, which is an excuse I wish I could use back home. Interestling, upon saying that I was living in Japan, I made myself eligible for a loyalty card, which offered further discounts and was free to sign up for.

As I was heading to the register and feeling proud for negotiating in Japanese, I was greeted by a lady on the register who simply pointed at the till and declared in English "This is price", and then opened the box to say "this is camera, this is battery". Those two people seem to sum up Japan for me at the moment, the person who speaks to me in simple Japanese and is ever so polite, and then the person who simply doesn't check to see if I can speak and then just uses even simpler English.

While pondering that, I may have picked up a figure with the saving I made on that camera.