Wednesday, September 23

The only thing you need to know when travelling.



Have you seen the Visa advertisement with this guy dancing up and down, and jiggling his hands in front of signature monuments all over the world? I see this commercial alot in cinemas, and it give me a chuckle every time! ^_^

I thought this was a great commercial, as it associates Visa with the only card you need when travelling overseas. Hmm... try using your Visa card in a Ethopia village and see if it works.

So if Visa is the only card that you need in a developing city, then what will be the only sentence that you need to speak in the language of the country you are visiting?

Try this.

"Where is the nearest Subway?"

Now someone tell me how to speak that in Japanese.

In a week's time, I will be "dancing in Japan" just like Matt Harding.



But with a Mastercard.

About the Author: Shingo T will like to share with HappySurfer how he is going to survive in Japan - by speaking just one sentence in Japanese.

21 comments:

TG said...

Learn sign language, Shingo, and you'll be fine, hehe.

Anonymous said...

Is that a "subway" or a Subway(c)?

Either way, both are essential for survival :)

khengsiong said...

Densha eki wa doko desu ka?

But that one means 'Where is the train station?'

wenn said...

better equip with some japanese language before u go there..

Nat said...

I survived with less. Matter of fact, if you travel without your missus, you might attract a girl or two when you bumble your way through. Sometimes it is good not to know the language, well if you are travelling single, at least.

Shingo T said...

MKL:
Haha, the only sign language I know is to show numbers with my fingers. =p

The Nino:
Haha, not that sandwich! =p

Khengsiong:
I have written that down. Thanks! Cool, you speak Japanese?

Wenn:
I will try see if I can get some time to learn some Japanese. Else, I will have to utilise the saying "Anything that can be solved with money is not an issue." =(

Nat:
Speaking from life experience? =p

Cherish Tulips said...

Surprisingly when I was in Japan earlier this year, the Japanese spoke to me in their language and I conversed in Engligh and we still managed to have a decent conversation!And that was during the time I was asking for direction!!

Donna said...

hahaha.. what sentence so geng chao?

Jerine said...

Eki no Subway doko desuka?

Are you referring to the sandwich bar Subway? Or train Subway?

Jean said...

it's nice to learn japanese. that when you speak, in msia, with your japanese frens and that msian don und, mostly. hehe.

From me to you, suejean =)

life ramblings said...

i guess you might have to rely on primitive hand gestures for a lot of your communication. have fun in Japan.

thanks for visiting.

Anonymous said...

Carry an English Japanese translator or dictionary. That will help.

Nat said...

Kyoto, Kobe, Morioka, Sigh! Too many stories. Well, like I said, No knowledge of local language is more useful than most people think.

Roxy. said...

I think most important question to ask is where is the toilet? LOL.
Can ask Paladin too., he just went japan to take a look at the gundam.
Btw are u going to do a video of that happy dance when u are in japan? :D

Shingo T said...

Cherish Tilip:
Haha, that's amazing!

dolly:
What's geng chao? Hokkien word?

Jerine:
Subway as in the train. Thanks for your jap phrase.

SJ:
Yup yup.

life ramblings:
Haha, I will have to do charades in Japanese.

Mei Teng:
Good idea. I might go to the local library, not sure if I can get one in time.

Nat:
The last time I was in Hongkong, I ws surprised by the number of people who couldn't speak mandarin and english. They were speaking Cantonese and I had problem even ordering a ice lemon tea.

Roxy:
For guys, everywhere can be a toilet. Oops. =X
I will do the dance in the hotel maybe, but no way am I showing the world, its embarrassing!

Nat said...

The question is, were you with your missus? If not did you score?

Don't need to answer that one :)

HappySurfer said...

Oh? And I get the honour of knowing how you're going to survive in Japan? hehe..

I remember seeing a pictorial guide for visitors going to Japan. It's got food, toilet, train, etc, basically the common essentials. All the visitor needs to do is to just point out what he needs. See if you can find one online.

Also, I read that (this one is esp good in Europe where some locals - non-English speaking countries - are not too happy helping if you ask in English) you'd get more help if you just ask in your own language, not English. Locals are more sympathetic.

Anyway, I hope you and your wifey will have a blast in Japan. Take care tho - warm clothing would help too.

Mastercard is better than Visa anywhere in the world. Amex? You can leave home without it. ;)

min dfin said...

Visa is popular in Asia. Mastercard seems to have the strong presence in Europe. I am not sure about US, is Amex popular.

Shingo T said...

Nat:
=p

HappySurfer:
I heard Europeans are very proud of their own language. Many do not even bother to learn English.
Didn't know about the pictorial guide. Thanks!

min dfin:
Oh, always thought Visa & mastercard are 50/50 when it comes to Asia popularity.

Roxy. said...

Must teach your wife where to go for the toilet what. haha.

Shingo T said...

Roxy:
Haha, I think I can do the action to signify she's looking for a toilet. =p

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