My name is Michaela and I live in Japan.

Oh, and most of you know that because I live in Japan, people often ask me, What are the pros and cons of living in Japan as a foreigner?

High.

And to be honest, there's really not much to complain about.

I'm actually quite happy living in Japan, so people treat us fairly well here.

There's very few things that drive me crazy about Japan or Japanese culture.

Hey, except that Hey, you're doing that thing where you keep interjecting when I'm trying to talk.

Critic Tokyo.

Well, it's annoying.

Yeah, but you know about Gigi.

Tadashi know if there's one thing that kind of drives me nuts about living in Japan, it's this Isaac G.

Isaac er phrases or responses that a Japanese listen there gives during a conversation toe.

Let the speaker know that they're paying attention.

But this habit can come a somewhat of a surprise to Western speakers, because for us, it's considered kind of rude to interrupt someone when they're speaking and as a foreigner, Sometimes it feels like when people are responding to often to my conversations, it's like they're trying to rush me along or get me to hurry up and finish my story.

Uh huh.

Okay, Yeah.

Uh oh, I see.

Yeah, OK, in Japan, it's quite the opposite.

And it assures the speaker that you are up to speed with what they're saying.

Some examples of Japanese eyes and G are high.

Mm.

Hey, Soda SCA sold its neck.

So Linda Magic Hey, you So not a hold on all of these air.

Pretty common responses that a listener gives during a conversation in Japan.

The best way I could suggest to get used to it is to look up conversations on YouTube and kind of listen, thio the mannerisms and the way that people respond when they're having a conversation in Japanese.

One common mistake that foreigners often make with eyes itchy is that when a Japanese person responds with so this in there or height, it doesn't necessarily mean they're saying yes or that's right.

It means that they're just listening to you.

It's not necessarily a reflection of their opinion, so be careful.

Another common way that Japanese people show attentiveness in a conversation is to follow up your statements with a question you know that Tom alleged that green she needs and you take the Costa told that up.

Hey, Jim Acosta.

No, Dumb This guy.

Yes, just like this.

It's very common in Japanese conversations for the listener to follow up.

Ah, story with a question that could be answered if they had listened to the story, which they have.

But they're showing that they've listened by asking a question that is painfully obvious.

And finally, and this is what kind of gets to that point of frustration is when you look like I dio, as in non Japanese as in White, as in from North America.

Thes follow up questions can be completely unrelated to the story at all and totally 100% related to the fact that you are a foreigner.

You know, she got a lot e Nakayama each by Dick.

I don't have a debate in Ponderosa.

Uh, none that protest Torassa.

Oh, I imagine that bit talk, son.

Reach my insights and I would stick down off.

What kind of watching you out there guys in non populated in this car.

So while this is something that tends to happen quite frequently, I wouldn't say it's because people are trying to be mean.

It is Japanese culture to respond to a conversation frequently to show that you're listening.

But sometimes I feel like the way that people respond to me is different than the way that they would respond to a Japanese person.

Just to let you know.

Sometimes we want to have a real conversation with you and have it not be about how we're not Japanese.

How about you?

Have you ever been surprised or shocked by customs in another country that didn't quite align with yours?

What were they?

And how did you learn to overcome them?

Yeah, it's all good.

Thank you for listening.

I love everybody.

Don't fight with me by E.