Re: Learning culture is useful (was: Re: basic vocab)

From: "David Crowell"

> After a while, I realized that the Japanese got the attention of others
> by saying -sumimasen (a word I learned for -Excuse me- to interrupting
others).
> I felt so stupid (Homer Simpons -doh!)
It wouldn't really work for asking directions on the street, of course, but
one of my faves was to stand nearby the person you wanted to talk to and
softly say "Anoo...." (maybe "um" or "er"). Delightfully deferent, shows the
proper amount of polite reluctance that you're breaching someone else's
microcosm. You wait for the other party to enthusiastically reply, "Hai!"
("I'm listening.") and then you start in on whatever your point is.

Kou