Thursday, April 02, 2009

"Sumimasen, Toire wa doko desu ka?"

Finally, thanks to Jon G, I now know a truly useful phrase in Japanese. ::snort::

The above says, "Excuse me, where is the bathroom?" I had learned all but the Toire word....so anyone in the know care to pronounce Toire....is it TOY- reee or Too reh or.....

And Kim - would this be a polite way of asking? Or is it considered ill-mannered in Japan to ASK or mention a bathroom? I was overwhelmed with the options....toilet, powder room, rest room...

Honestly, I'm frustrated with the pace of the process...I want to be able to introduce new friends to Jesus....to the Love He offers...and at this rate....but then maybe THAT is what the lady was about last night. She could see "something" without me even speaking to her...A reminder from God that our lives speak even without correct words and grammar....I'll relax....lifestyle evangelism - it's what I'm about anyway.....I don't usually present the 4 spiritual laws on the streets in America come to think of it.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

8 comments:

Cynthia said...

AH.. maybe that's why God provided the interaction with the lady the other day! NEAT!

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

I think it was, Cindy.

Now - I'm testing a new profile photo - it seems that some folks don't understand that my photo was FUN...Mike and I love each other dearly, we believe in mutual submission to God and each other, I wanted a photo of the two of us that was fun - and that was....but some seem to be bothered by the image of me standing on Mike... ::snort:: and read all sorts of dire theological significance in it....me with a back pack should be all better....it even matches the new blog look. ::snort:: And i you are one who was bugged by my photo - I'm not angry - bemused is a better word. It's hard over the internet to catch the spirit with which things are meant. I understand. No hard feelings.

Kim said...

You asked the RIGHT person this question. I will post my story about asking for the restroom for the first time in Japan, today (maybe)!

You pronounce it toy ray (long a). And, yes, it is polite. LOL!

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

WooHOO - now I know a practical phrase...because I figure most will know that I understand English, don't understand Japanese and am an American without much use of my Japanese skills. ::snort::

I'll be checking your blog, Kim.

Wild Homeschool Family said...

That is a very useful phrase indeed!

Kim said...

Well, as I was awake at 4 am this morning, through no one's fault, I thought - toire is SPELLED with an "r", but we really say "r's" more like "d"'s. So, Toy Day! Easy to remember! Not Toys R Us!

Lois said...

I don't think the Japanese say the "l" sound, do they? Toire would be like toi-let with a silent "t" and I'll bet if you just said "Toilet, quick please," in English with a desperate look in your eye, perhaps holding a dancing Stacia by the hand, someone would know what you meant. When I visited France, I was so proud to walk into a fine ladies' dress shop and say, "Ou-est la salle de bain, s'il vous plais?" I was greeted with a stiff grimace. Apparently they thought I wanted to take a bath (room of the bath) when all I needed to say was "toilet" and nothing more!

Anonymous said...

...please where can I buy a unicorn?