Shortly after arriving in Japan in 1998, two friends and I decided to try and find the zoo near Chiba City.
We took the train to Chiba Station, but once we got to the ticket machines we realized that nothing was written in English.
Needing assistance, we went over to the worker sitting behind the desk and asked "Zoo wa doko desu ka?" (figuring "zoo" had to be universal). After a few minutes of blank stares from him and his co-workers standing behind him, I left my two friends to try and work it out while I went back to the train map.
After several moments I found the relevant station and turned to tell my two friends that it was okay.
I'm not sure who's jaw was hanging open more; mine or the clerk's behind the counter. For there were my two friends, her with her hands out in front of her, clawing at the air and making tiger sounds, and him with his thumbs pressed to his temples, and fingers splayed out to make moose antlers. I rushed over to save them and the bewildered clerk, who to this day must wonder what those gaijin were trying to ask about. -- Jason , ex-Chiba
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