Japanese for “Cool People”
Was at the local Chapters today, searching for some beginner Japanese books for a friend of mine (Melvy). Came across this fantastic book that I won’t be picking up anytime soon, and remembered the one no-name youtube viewer who commented on one of my videos, in regards to learning some “REAL” Japanese swear words.
I didn’t get the name of the author in the picture, but it is by a man named Jack Steward, I believe. Who would want to take advice from someone like this? I don’t really know. I flipped through the book and found words like スケベ (sukebe : lecher) and of all words ボケ (boke : idiot) to be categorized under “offensive swear words.” Are pervert and idiot even swear words in english? Nope. That much alone is almost laughable, and just goes to show that anyone can write a book and have it stuck in some bookstore nowadays.
A general tip to anyone learning Japanese: Stay away from rubbish like this please. It will do nothing but make you look like a fool. Japan is a country based on humility and respect, and learning stuff that might be considered “cool” to someone like Jack Steward (who clearly isn’t Japanese, and therefore holds little insight as to what Japanese words really mean or stand for), is most definitely a waste of time on your part.
If you want to make it in Japan, learn how to say everything in the utmost polite and humble way possible. It will save your ass, and in many cases make you look like a respectable foreigner who isn’t just there to chill with some home fries, ‘naw mean?
Many posts in the future will be dedicated to how I’ve learnt Japanese, and what I consider some of the better ways to more “correctly” pick up the language, and of course enjoy it and be liked/respected by Japanese people.
