Comments on: Surrounded by Welcome

By: k

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:10:04 +0000

Got caught once in a department store mass irasshaimase. I felt embarrased for myself (baka gaijin) and for the indentured servants store employees bowing and scraping for the opportunity to assist me.

Guess I’m not the only one who gets put off by such things – my okaasan once said to me she’s ‘tired of all the flowery depaato keigo, just complete the transaction, so I can get on with my day’.

I was put off by a smarty-pants clerk at Daimaru. He rebuffed me in English for my having persisted in looking at a sale bin of men’s t-shirts after being told there were no LLs. I told him in Japanese that not only was he rude, I wear a different size, both American men and women wear “men’s” t-shirts, and that he should be ashamed of treating a customer so badly.

By: Harvey

Harvey — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:37:56 +0000

I remember that at Starbucks in Japan in order to promote the “western” feel they would go out of their way to simply say “konnichiwa” instead of “irasshaimase.” Having been in Japan for so long it felt really strange at first! I wanted my irasshai back.

Cool blog!

By: Declan

Declan — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:53:30 +0000

Hepkess, I think you’ve just suggested what my response will be from now on.

If I hear “Irasshaimase” I just shout “Polo”

Won’t make sense to anyone else but I think it’s perfect

Thanks for all the comments everyone.

By: hepkess

hepkess — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:39:55 +0000

When I first came to Japan, Ma-ku-do-na-ru-do (MacDonald’s Hamburgers) was just making it’s big start. I was shy about going in, I felt that I could survive without fast food. My Japanese frineds liked to eat french fries and talk, so I would go with them. The first time I went in, it was during a slow period, but they still had a full staff on. 15 people all suddenly shouting “IRASHAIMASE!!!” at the same time can be quite a surprise. Now I go into a big store it reminds me of playing Marco Polo in the pool.

By: Declan

Declan — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:04:42 +0000

Thanks for the comment Rémi, that makes a lot of sense. I noticed that in some other places the employee would shout this out and not even make eye contact, just keep working.

I went into a Yodobashi Camera in Osaka I think, it was like running a gauntlet! They had people with megaphones at the door shouting about their special offers as well as the usual Irasshai.

You’ve got to brace yourself to go shopping sometimes ne?

By: Rémi

Rémi — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:05:55 +0000

Although “irasshaimase” can loosely be translated to “welcome,” I do not consider it to be a greeting. Literally, “irasshaimase” means “(someone has) arrived,” in polite Japanese. I guess it’s their way to alert people around them that a customer is in the store and to indirectly let the customer know they noticed you’re inside. When you think they greet you with “irasshaimase,” it is common to ignore it, since they are not really greeting you — they are just affirming to their peers that you arrived.

However, I can relate to your story. Ever went to a Yodobashi Camera store?

By: David

David — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:18:38 +0000

I work at a bar and we call it out when people come in. Many times I won’t even look at the door and yell it out. Sometimes it’s a gaijin who just came in and I wonder, should I go to an English “Good Evening” or stick with the Japanese. That sometimes feels weird.

By: himawari

himawari — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:30:11 +0000

I can totally relate to this story! I remember visiting a large Book-Off store my first time in Japan, and once the first person saw me come in and said “irasshaimase” it echoed around the store, like you said. At Book-Off, though, they were yelling Irasshaimase Konnichiwaaaaaaaaaaaa. Many years later, I’m used to it now, but I could not get over it the first time

By: Declan

Declan — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:17:57 +0000

I felt that I really should buy something since they were paying so much attention to us.

Maybe I should just reply with the same phrase and bow

“Irasshaimase Fight to the death”

By: reesan

reesan — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:55:43 +0000

Funny story. It is always off-putting to be surrounded by people who are yelling at you in a strange language even if it is just a greeting for coming into their store.

Always wondered what would be a humorous retort in this situation… maybe scream back “do itashi mashite”… or maybe not.