Hello

[lonmanm]

Hello, my name is Lonnie. I have been studying Japanese for over a year now using Rosetta Stone and Pimsleur; as well as some other materials. I have absorbed a lot, but I still find the grammar difficult to grasp. I really enjoy the Japanese language, culture, and people very much. I have been to Japan twice and I really enjoyed my visit there and hope to return there again someday very soon. So nice to meet you and I look forward to reading your posts, Lonnie

 

[thomas]

Welcome to the forum, Lonnie! A lot of culture- and language-related questions have already been asked and answered, but please do not hesitate to post your own questions.

 

[ForgetfulWasUhh]

Welcome Lonnie! Hope you enjoy your stay here ! Would you be my friend? Am starting to grasp Japanese and hopefully will master it by the time i finish my Uni course!

 

[Davey]

Hi Lonnie!

Welcome to the forum. Where have you been in japan? and have you been able to communicate with Japanese in city as well instead of just the Rosetta Stone and Pimsleur?

I'm looking forward to reading your posts! Enjoy

 

[lonmanm]

Thanks for the welcomes. I was at Yakota Air Base near Fusa and at the time I could not speak any Japanese except the normal hello and goodbyes. It was hard going into town because I couldn't read anything. Now I really enjoy the kana and kanji.

 

[Mike Cash]

Welcome.

Now that you're learning Japanese: you were at よこた (not やこと), which is in ふっさ (not ふさ).

The way American servicemen butcher Japanese words is amazing. (I was in the Navy at "YuhKOOska" and could never figure out why the guys shortened it to "Yoko".....had me baffled for quite a while).

 

[lonmanm]

I can assure you Mike there was no butchering going on, I was at "Yokota" Air Base 25 years ago, I just misspelled it this time. Not a real friendly way of introducing yourself.

 

[Mike Cash]

I can assure you Mike there was no butchering going on, I was at "Yokota" Air Base 25 years ago, I just misspelled it this time. Not a real friendly way of introducing yourself.

I lack social graces, but there was nothing unfriendly about my post.

"Yakota" is the standard pronunciation among service members and it isn't unusual to see them spell it that way.

 

[lonmanm]

Yes, you seem to lack social graces so maybe you should just stick to saying hi and welcome to people that are introducing themselves on here instead of picking their posts apart because of your own personal issues. Friendly is welcome, arrogant and overbearing is not welcome. Most people will not understand your language like you do because it takes years to learn it, so showing foreigners grace and being patient can go a long way in helping people who don't know your language.

 

[Mike Cash]

I didn't pick your post apart. I made some totally dispassionate comments based on the assumption that since you are learning Japanese you might be open to having a couple of things pointed out. I didn't realize at the time you would be so incredibly thin-skinned about it.

I think you have a wonderful command of my language already. In fact, I'm very surprised to learn you're not a native English speaker.

 

[lonmanm]

Dear administrators, I came to this board to learn about Japanese culture and language but instead after simply posting a welcome message I have to be criticized by someone who feels the need to vent his own personal prejudices rather than just saying hi and welcome. This makes me feel anything but welcome here. If this is how it is on here then I just won't bother posting anymore, who needs that nonsense and drama. I know it's not your fault but I thought that you should know anyway.

 

[Mike Cash]

In paragraph one I welcomed you.

In paragraph two I offered a couple of observations which should be of value if you're learning Japanese.

In paragraph three I made a personal aside which had nothing whatsoever to do with you.

Do you overreact like this in real life as well?