Thank you
| This page contains the Japanese phrase: Thank you. |
| In Japanese culture, thank you is generally used from a lower standing to a higher standing. For example, most Japanese will not say thank you after buying something at a convenience store. They will just get their change and walk away – that is why you will never hear a clerk say you’re welcome to a customer after the customer says thank you. Coming from an occidental country, not saying thank after purchasing something just feels wrong; however, saying thank you in certain situations can throw the cultural dynamics in chaos. Nevertheless, when you are with friends you will want to say please and thank you. |
| Japan is a finely oiled cultural machine and when something, or some phrase, is thrown into the mix, it can shut the system down. As a general rule, doumo is more than enough to get you by if you feel the need to thank someone if you’re purchasing something from a convenience store. Nevertheless, if you’re feeling brave and want to experience cognitive dissonance, the next time you purchase something in a convenience store, just walk away without saying anything. It’s a strange feeling but just remind yourself that what you’re doing is not rude: it’s the custom. |
| Dialogue |
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English Thank you very much. Rōmaji Doumo arigatou gozaimashita. Kanji どうもありがとうございました。 |
