1.11.2006

I want this


This is one of the times when I wish I had a lot of money. I went to a Japanese bookstore today, and there were a lot of books I wanted to buy. The thing is, my Japanese isn't good enough to fly through a book, even a slim one, but I like foreign printed matter. There's something comforting about it, even though I posess some printed items that I don't understand, and some language textbooks that I haven't cracked open (Burmese, Korean, Greek). But they're there, and it makes me feel good. Weird, but true.

Anyway, I saw this book in the Japanese joint: 海外のビジネスマナー (Kaigai no Bijinesu Manaa), which is a book that helps Japanese businessmen deal with various cultures throughout the world. I'm not a business person, and of course, I'm not Japanese, but the topic is interesting. I'd like to know what they teach Japanese people about other countries and if there's anything I should learn, too. It's tempting to buy it, but should I shell out the $20? I'm tempted...I could read it in my private lessons and cherish it. It would take forever to read, especially since there are a lot of English books I still have to finish reading. I've got to finish a book by the end of this week to return it to a friend and I've got another one to read for a book club, and I've got work-related stuff to read, in addition to other Japanese stuff and Chinese (if I ever get around to it). So the reading material is overflowing, but this book is sitting there at the store, waiting to be bought.

I'll think about it, then return to the store to look at it again. It could be a reward for the positive developments in my life. Hmmm, good reason. Better than an expensive meal.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, you're the first person who's told me you like that, too. I just love seeing non-English words. It's cool. I have a post here about Ethiopian--"Ethiopian is pretty."

What does "serdecznie pozdrawiam" mean?

Anonymous said...

Check out this post:

blog.metrolingua.com/2005/09/ethiopian-is-pretty.html

And what does "Trzymaj sie" mean? Is that Polish?

Anonymous said...

There are a lot of Polish people where I live (Chicago), so I recognize the language, though don't know any Polish at all.

So "Pozdrowionka" means...?

Are you in Poland?

Anonymous said...

I have nothing in Polish. Maybe it's because of all the Polish signs in certain parts of the city. Chicago has the largest Polish population.

Anonymous said...

I know exactly how you feel. I can't go to Japanese bookstores, because there are too many fascinating titles to choose from. The last time I went I bought this book on impulse: 猫と英会話 (English conversation with cats). It's hilarious...

- Language Geek

Anonymous said...

So I take it your into cats (since your site is a neko one)? Are you in the U.S., are you student, or what? (Can't find an "About" section).

Anonymous said...

No, I didn't get it. I've been practicing restraint. But I might get it--I'm gonna go back to the bookstore to check it out again, to make sure it's as cool as I thought.