The Community Page received a large number of emails in response to Gerry McLellan's May 24 Hotline to Nagatacho column "Japanese adults need an education in dealing with difference." The following is a selection of readers' views.
This article made me smile because I have experienced this so many times during my stay in Japan, and it continues to happen very often even now. All I need to say is "Konnichiwa" to be praised to the high heavens that my Japanese is very good. "Nihongo o-jōzu desu ne!" It invariably makes me think, "Well, I haven't actually said anything yet!"
When praised thus, it felt good when I had just started learning the language many years ago, but after spending 14 years of my life trying to master Japanese, it does sound a bit hollow to be praised for being able to say konnichiwa.