Having been a victim myself of such a hoax, I am NOT laughing! My husband is Japanese. We started dating in high school and after a while, it was finally the time for the dreaded first dinner with the family. Adding to the pressure, was the fact that is was to be a dinner party, attended by many of his father's business associates. My husband told me that if I really wanted to impress everyone, especilly his mother, just say "this" at the end of the meal. Well, I practiced the Japanese phrase ad nauseum and finally the BIG moment came. I waited for the applause but all I got was a lot of blank faces and dropped jaws!!!! I think my father in law to be dropped his chopsticks. I know he turned red! After a moment, they all started laughing! His brother whispered to me what I had said. Something along the lines of "Thank you so much for the meal. It tasted like c*r*p."
I have NEVER forgiven him for that!
I can appreciate the humor in it, but as it says at the bottom of the article, not so funny when the shoe is on the other foot. And apparently some of these incidents got people into some real hassles and probably ruined a few vacations too. It's especially sad as Japanese tourists are the most polite and coutesous and must be devastated to think they have offended someone so horribly.
It's sounds so "fishy," as most Japanese, especially the type described in the article, speak excellent English and would certainly have consulted another source before making the trip .
I'd think twice before you bite into that next sushi roll
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