Why Japanese people can't speak English

[matsuki]

Are these people you are correcting good enough friends that they can take it? I only have 2 or 3 like that in Kyoto that will actually STFU and listen to me, and Kyoto FGs are famously bad at Japanese. I was astounded last summer at how good a lot of long term Tokyo FGs are.

No, often times during interpretation jobs and friends of friends. They turn on the "us gaijin" and, as you say, expect sympathy and understanding despite totally misinterpreting the situation. (though the most recent time I found out the Indian dude bitching about his pay really did get less than me after the fact...and the Japanese with us even less)

[kurogane]

Yet another good reason never to even think about doing any work related interpreting I actually do avoid it unless pressganged, and the great thing is there's usually somebody that actually wants to do it. Win Win. Anyways, you get my vote for your Ganbaru Seishin.

But yes, that sort of shiite. I know the Japanese do it amongst themselves with English, and I get how the self-satisfaction of knowing an exotic tongue can warp your perception, but in the Kyoto scene we're talking about beginner level beer and food orders ability versus research and work level ability. Fuckin' aggravating shit that can really ruin an otherwise relaxing and enjoyable FG scene. One nice thing about where I come in Okinawa is there are simply no white people out and about except tourists, so it's never an issue.