the japanese approach to tourists!
 

Hi everyone <BR>Me and a friend are hoping to travel to shibuya and we are both 20 and have been learning the language. <BR>We where wondering what would be the young japaneses approach to tourists say in a bar or club at night. <BR>Are they friendly towards the english and we would be hoping to possibly hang around with some to see there stlye of life,and would language be a problem do many japanese speak any english. <BR>Hope this isnt to much thanks alot!

The Japanese are very friendly and accomodating to foreigners trying to learn Japanese. I have had some very bad experiences in France (particularly Paris), but the Japanese have, without exception, been very patient and helpful. There are Japanese who speak some English, but I find it difficult to cut through their accent.

Gaijin, No wonder you've had bad experiences if you've been trying to speak Japanese to Parisians ? LOL <BR> <BR>As you say, the Japanese will help you if you try to learn the language, and will want to try their English on you, but you won't find many fluent speakers. <BR> <BR>A small dictionary, like "Oxford Japanese Minidictionary" (isbn 0-19-860366-5) is an invaluable help, but you need to be able to read hiragana. <BR> <BR>Have a good time <BR> <BR>PS: I hope you won't limit your travel to Shibuya only ??? <BR> <BR>

But i have heard from a friend that has been to shibuya that the young japanese hang around on the corners listening to bands.We are hoping to sit down and try to talk to some of these. <BR>What would there reaction be?

Try to start a conversation with something like "excuse me, what's the name of the band?" (sumimasen, ga, band no namae wa nani ?). I've never had any trouble starting a conversation that way.