Dave Barry is one of the best American sit-down comics (I don't know if he does stand-up comedy) I have read. Here are a couple of his gems from 'Dave Barry Does Japan,' which I am reading slowly, so that I can savour it longer- the way you linger over your favourite ice-cream. Not his exact words, but the jokes are his-
As I got off the plane, I noticed rightaway something unique about Japan. For lack of a better phrase, I'll call it "lack of height." Every Japanese person was tall as our average school boy, without the guns.
The Bellboy got the luggage into the hotel room, and then did something amazing. He left! In America, he would have stayed with you until you remembered to tip him.
Translation of Japanese people speaking English into American.
Ah- No
I see- No
I will think about your proposal- It will be sent to the shredder.
Note: The polite Japanese never say no. So the thick-headed Americans need this Guide to Japan to help them understand what's going on, according to Barry.
As I got off the plane, I noticed rightaway something unique about Japan. For lack of a better phrase, I'll call it "lack of height." Every Japanese person was tall as our average school boy, without the guns.
The Bellboy got the luggage into the hotel room, and then did something amazing. He left! In America, he would have stayed with you until you remembered to tip him.
Translation of Japanese people speaking English into American.
Ah- No
I see- No
I will think about your proposal- It will be sent to the shredder.
Note: The polite Japanese never say no. So the thick-headed Americans need this Guide to Japan to help them understand what's going on, according to Barry.
No comments:
Post a Comment