For our Japanese readers : Things you should not say to Westerners

[ASHIKAGA]

Iお箸使えるの？すご〜〜〜い！ when nearly every civilized person in the world can use chopsticks, or うわ� � 。日本語上手！from a new acquaintance, when all you've uttered is はじめまして.

Those examples do sound very familiar. I am curious to know what everyone's response would be when finding yourselves on the receiving end of such "compliments".

[FrustratedDave]

Those examples do sound very familiar. I am curious to know what everyone's response would be when finding yourselves on the receiving end of such "compliments".

I personally don't mind at all b/c there is no ill intent what so ever.

[Glenski]

Those examples do sound very familiar. I am curious to know what everyone's response would be when finding yourselves on the receiving end of such "compliments".

Chopsticks compliment:
"It's not that hard."

Language compliment:
"No, not really."

[FrustratedDave]

Chopsticks compliment:
"It's not that hard."
Language compliment:
"No, not really."

I am finding it hard to belive that you do actually like living here?

You have after all been living here for 10 years or more and should realise by now that compliments like these are part and parcel of Japan?

[becki_kanou]

Those examples do sound very familiar. I am curious to know what everyone's response would be when finding yourselves on the receiving end of such "compliments".

I occasionally find it a little annoying to be complimented this way (again), but as someone else said, people are not saying these things out of ill-will, so why get worked up about it?

I usually just brush it off with a まぁ〜 or a それほどでも... but sometimes I'll give a little explantion like 他の国でも日本料理や中華料理が人気なので、お箸を使 える人は結構いますよ。