TEIJIAI.FURAIDEZU.JI TOKYO JP
I was checking my bank account tonight and I saw this next to a charge that I just couldn’t figure out. I don’t use my check card too much in Tokyo, as acceptance of Visa is not as widespread as in the U.S. and most of the time when I go out I’m with other people — we split the bill with cash. I stared and stared and thought and thought but could not remember going to any business by this name. I was afraid maybe I had been a victim of some bizarre scam.
Just before I began to worry, however, Japanese logic set in. The name did not look familiar at all, but when I said the words in my head it rang some bell. Go on, sound out the first two words right now.
This is how many places here deal with gaijin words … they pronounce them the Japanese way, and often will write them how the Japanese pronunciation would look. When you go to T.G.I. Friday’s the sign looks like any sign of theirs you’d see in the U.S. (with some kanji on it), but the company name for billing shows up as seen above. I’ve gotten by in a few non-English-speaking restaurants by speaking English with a Japanese accent. It sounds silly, but it works. You can order a “hamburger” and you’ll get a blank stare. Order a “hahmbuhhhg,” however, and you’re eating within minutes. I’m still a stupid American who speaks only one language, but I’m multi-accentual.
This brings up a couple other thoughts:
1. I would never fucking touch T.G.I. Friday’s in the States. Sorry, but they fall into that “not unless I’m desperate and starving” category. First, the place is obnoxious. Second, the food is as far from natural as you can get — it’s the McDonald’s of sit-down. But Friday’s has become an integral part of the socialization of the group of ex-pats I know here, American and not. First, the place is easy to find in Shibuya, which seems kinda easy for everyone to get to. Second, happy hour is half-price drinks (if you sit at the bar), which means you can drink for about what you pay normally in the U.S. I loves me some Lights of Havana!
2. The place is usually packed with a line … mostly Japanese people. I wonder if they go to Friday’s and think they are getting the true American experience. Wouldn’t that be scary? I mean, most Americans think they are experiencing Japan when they eat at a Benihana. Maybe nachos, fried potato skins and flair are our legacy. I guess it’s a better legacy than invading other countries, torturing the locals and lying about it, but it’s still embarrassing.
Are you wearing your flair today?
sid world headquarters
Mala | 28-May-04 at 10:06 am | Permalink
That is, bar none, your best post yet!!!!
Erin | 29-May-04 at 5:37 am | Permalink
“Yeah, you know, I don’t really like talking about my flair.”
“The Nazi’s had pieces of flair too.”
[/Office Space]
Sorry, stream of conciousness…
Tony | 29-May-04 at 7:19 am | Permalink
JSA:
As always, enjoyable to see what’s happening over there with your adventure…. I will find out where you can get drinks for 1/2 our usual price here…. But then again, where are we talking about for a reference point as far as “normal pricing?” In NYC or L.A., is isn’t unusual to pay $8.00 + for a beer. I know you can buy a good beer on the street from a vending machine (like that would work here in the US with our 21 drinking age)…. I believe it’s about $3.00 for one there… But I would rather have some nice coffee with Lennin on the lable if I’[m shopping at a vending machine in Japan….
Make sure you go for a ride in one of those really big Mercedes “A” models…. lol
Oh, hamburg = just meat
hamburger = meat and bun….
FYI
Tony
blindassassin | 29-May-04 at 11:01 am | Permalink
There is this friend of mine who is from Lebanon (NOT the city in Missouri), who lives here in the states and frequents TGIFriday’s nearly every night of the week. He thinks it is the best place in town…and yet he is one of the most amazing chefs I know. I guess there is no accounting for taste.
You mean Benihana really isn’t the Japanese experience? Jeez, that’s like finding out Cashew Chicken was invented in Springfield. I’m so bitter now.
sid | 29-May-04 at 8:19 pm | Permalink
Oh, man — thanks for reminding me about cashew chicken! I was trying to tell someone about that the other day and I couldn’t remember what it was that got started in Springfield.
When I think of Springfield I think of cashew chicken and the indoor fish stream at Bass Pro.
Benji | 18-Sep-04 at 7:40 pm | Permalink
So I was looking for refresher directions, and I found this. Amusing. I’m going there tonight because I need to get away from my side of tokyo, and I feel like greasy american food.
They are completely correct about how japanese pronounce american words. God help you if you ever ask where McDonalds is. Makadonaldo is the more appropriate pronunciation. I’ve been in country for almost 6 months and it still suprises me at every step.
Oh, and if you need to know when a japanese person is confused, they cock thier head to the side and just stare at you open mouthed like you are retarded. FYI.