Many Japanese/English bilinguals have differing opinions on whether you should use Japanese or English to approach Japanese girls.
I have done my share of approaching in both Japanese and English, and I must say, using English has always yielded better results for me. However, I am not a normal gaijin, so your mileage may vary. Here's my reasoning:
Reason # 1: To Stand Out and Avoid Sociocultural Assumptions
By appearance alone, I am not much different from the average Japanese man. If I begin to speak in Japanese as well, the chances that I will be lumped together with all the other Japanese men in this country will be even higher. This is not a good thing as most Japanese men who approach women they don't know do a horrible job of it.
By simply saying "hello" instead of "sumimasen", I immediately let the girl know that I am not Japanese, thus placing myself in a different category where the cultural expectations of Japanese culture do not apply. I also avoid any negative knee-jerk responses to being hit on in Japanese.
English-speaking asians are also somewhat intriguing to Japanese people due to our relative rarity. That extra bit of intrigue definitely has bought me a couple extra moments to work my charm on multiple occasions. If you're a non-asian, I still recommend using English initially because it will make any Japanese that you drop later in your interaction will be that much more of a welcome surprise.
Quick Sorting and Reliable Reactions
Precisely because being approached in English is out of the norm for your average Japanese girl on the street, her reaction to that approach will be more polarized. Some girls will freeze up or run away, others will squeal with delight. Either way, you have a higher chance of eliciting a reaction that even the most socially oblivious simpleton will recognize. Once you get a positive reaction, you can then proceed knowing full well that that girl is buying what you're selling.
Reason # 3: Less Excuses
My Japanese is pretty damn good. But even as good as it is, it's not my first language. It still takes a non-trivial amount of mental effort to converse in Japanese, even when sexy times with a beautiful Japanese girl is on the line. I believe in making things easy on yourself, and that's why I always approach in English.
Furthermore, even though the level of English penetration in Tokyo, the most international of all cities in Japan, is pretty bad, your average girl on the street will understand basic English greetings. My advice is to just use the first English greeting that comes to mind and let the chips fall where they may.
A Final Word
In terms of time and effort, using English to approach Japanese girls just cannot be beat even if it's only for the initial "hi". Never feel like you "have to" talk to Japanese girls in Japanese.
I have done my share of approaching in both Japanese and English, and I must say, using English has always yielded better results for me. However, I am not a normal gaijin, so your mileage may vary. Here's my reasoning:
Reason # 1: To Stand Out and Avoid Sociocultural Assumptions
By appearance alone, I am not much different from the average Japanese man. If I begin to speak in Japanese as well, the chances that I will be lumped together with all the other Japanese men in this country will be even higher. This is not a good thing as most Japanese men who approach women they don't know do a horrible job of it.
By simply saying "hello" instead of "sumimasen", I immediately let the girl know that I am not Japanese, thus placing myself in a different category where the cultural expectations of Japanese culture do not apply. I also avoid any negative knee-jerk responses to being hit on in Japanese.
English-speaking asians are also somewhat intriguing to Japanese people due to our relative rarity. That extra bit of intrigue definitely has bought me a couple extra moments to work my charm on multiple occasions. If you're a non-asian, I still recommend using English initially because it will make any Japanese that you drop later in your interaction will be that much more of a welcome surprise.
Quick Sorting and Reliable Reactions
Precisely because being approached in English is out of the norm for your average Japanese girl on the street, her reaction to that approach will be more polarized. Some girls will freeze up or run away, others will squeal with delight. Either way, you have a higher chance of eliciting a reaction that even the most socially oblivious simpleton will recognize. Once you get a positive reaction, you can then proceed knowing full well that that girl is buying what you're selling.
Reason # 3: Less Excuses
My Japanese is pretty damn good. But even as good as it is, it's not my first language. It still takes a non-trivial amount of mental effort to converse in Japanese, even when sexy times with a beautiful Japanese girl is on the line. I believe in making things easy on yourself, and that's why I always approach in English.
Furthermore, even though the level of English penetration in Tokyo, the most international of all cities in Japan, is pretty bad, your average girl on the street will understand basic English greetings. My advice is to just use the first English greeting that comes to mind and let the chips fall where they may.
A Final Word
In terms of time and effort, using English to approach Japanese girls just cannot be beat even if it's only for the initial "hi". Never feel like you "have to" talk to Japanese girls in Japanese.
About the Author:
Girls in Tokyo can be tricky. They certainly were to me, and I'm Japanese-American. Fortunately, I figured out how to lead a life of romantic abundance in the land of the rising sun. Learn everything I wish I'd known back when I was a college graduate on my blog about getting girls in Tokyo.
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