Coming out of my shell
March 30, 2006
In my three and a half years in Japan, I’ve been out to restaurants for dinner with friends an uncountable number of times. On the other hand, I’ve been to maybe 5 or 6 people’s houses for dinner. In Japan it’s not common to entertain guests at home as most homes are too small for more than a small or casual dinner. Even so, having people over for dinner does happen, just not very much for me.
A few weeks ago, the lady and I were invited over for dinner to her coworker’s house. Along with this being a rare event, this was also one of the few times I’ve been invited to anything involving the lady’s friends. It’s weird but we’ve generally kept each other out of our social lives. I agreed mostly because I was curious how it would go and because this friend had come to Hawaii for our wedding.
The friend and her husband don’t really speak English. I bet they understand more than they let on but I was ready for a night of me being quiet and just nodding and smiling. I figured I’ll behave so that the lady would have a good time. For this one occasion I was wrong (a true rarity). I actually ended up having a great time, possibly a better time than the lady.
For one thing dinner was awesome - the lady’s friend must’ve spent awhile preparing so much food. I also got to have okonomiyaki at someone’s house for the first time ever and it was good. The beer never stopped flowing and it seemed for one night and one night alone my Japanese ability blossomed and I was able to understand and be understood most of the time.
The lady’s friend’s husband (I really have to start using names) was a crazy fellow who opened up and let loose conversation. In stereotypical Osaka-style, he displayed a flair for exaggeration and colorful antics. People in Osaka are just ��?�?�ゃ interesting. It was great because he filled every silent moment. No need for me to go scrounging around for topics to kill awkward moments - he did it for us! We stayed a bit later than we had planned but I’m glad I went.
Now I feel obligated to return the favor and for once I actually DO want to return the favor. And I think we’ll try to start a new trend of not just spending time with each other. We’re moving into a new apartment in a fortnight and this time we have room! I am hereby inviting all of you to future social gatherings here. No parties, shindigs, keggers, or beerblasts, but there’s room for nabe, okonomiyaki, yakiniku, tea & coffee, darts, and Mario Party parties.
March 31st, 2006 at 10:32
Sweetness, I’ll be over on Friday night!
Dinner parties are daunting, especially when you don’t know anyone. Conversation is indeed a skilled art, and it’s best to learn things from good hosts like you had a chance to do so. Good luck with your future dinner parties. Geez, you’re getting so entrenched in married life. I suppose that’s not a bad thing, memories of Lawrence puking in your sleeping bag are long past now.
March 31st, 2006 at 21:24
That wasn’t exactly the kind of party I had in mind. If I remember correctly, foam from a Barbie can was also involved.
April 1st, 2006 at 10:06
You know what, I think that foam deal was from something else. I was never at the new year’s eve parties because I was always with Shannon. I completely missed out on all the shenanigans. Sometimes I think I’m making up for lost time now. Anyway, I think we were playing some sort of nerf ball thing with Justin and I nailed him with Barbie foam. I don’t remember where the Barbie foam came from, it might have been my sister’s but I don’t remember why I had it with me.
April 5th, 2006 at 02:50
I’m am so going to your place for Mario Party! I love that game! It’s one of those few games where I don’t suck (as much). Actually, I’m planning to visit HK later on this year and probably stop by Japan.