Are you a girl or a guy?
I just talk to them whenever an opportunity strikes.
Go to the Toronto reference library and you'll see that's where all the Japanese people study.
Or you can go to the Tim Hortons nearby after school and bust out a Japanese book.
That will get people to open you up.

Guy. I've been to Tim Hourtons and various other places but don't notice many Japanese people. I've never been to the reference library though.

That's where you should be.
Just try not to drool too much lol.

I live and go to university in San Francisco and have approached random Japanese people a lot.

When I started learning Japanese again last July after a long absence, the thought of it was nerve wrecking, but I quickly got over the nerves when I was paired up with a Japanese guy on the first day of school to introduce ourselves. Very soon into it I said "Nihongo o hanashimasu ka?" and his face lit up and went "Ohhh!", then he responded in Japanese that I didn't understand.

After that, I began approaching complete strangers on and off campus and doing the "Suimasen, nihongo o hanashimasu ka?" routine. I've done this the most in the campus dining hall. I approached a guy sitting by himself who I saw at the BBQ hosted by the JSA (Japanese Student Organization) and very soon he offered his number and to be language partners. I've noticed the reactions are much better if you approach people on campus compared to off.

I've approached a woman in the parking lot of a grocery store loading stuff into her car with her two kids with her. Out of a little adrenaline rush and shame I'd give myself if I didn't do it, I approached her and said "Excuse me..." (she turns to me and goes "Mhm?" slightly awkwardly) "Nihongo o hanashimasu ka?" (her eyes open up and is surprised as if out of randomness with a wavering voice goes "Hai...hanashimasu")... "Nihongo o benkyou shite imasu, ima"... She nods awkwardly as if out of obligation, then I smile as if to say "thanks for being a Japanese person" and walk away... Just then her daughter (who looked about 10) shouted "gambatte kudasai!".

Another time I was riding public transit in downtown San Francisco on a rail car (like a trolley, but on flat ground) and two Japanese girls (who looked so Japanese they could have arrived yesterday), about 25, were sitting diagonally from me, as one girl showed the other pictures on her iPhone and engaged in light chit chat. The girl showing her phone was actually in a seat in front of the other and twisted her whole body around, so I was also in her view. She noticed me looking at her, then said something in Japanese to the other (after which they both looked at me) and they giggled, as if I was "attractive white boy looking at us". We both got off at the same stop... and I walk behind them for about 10 seconds trying to plan a move... and I say "Suimasen... etc.". Their reaction was with awkward surprise, like with the mom before... but this time I continue talking for 1-2 minutes, the entire time they looked a a little uncomfortable, as if I exposed them and was listening to their conversation, or a combination of that and being shy. I was with an Asian friend, so I might have seemed less weird. One girl said she's visiting the other girl living in SF. I close with (in English) "Thank you." and do a little wave and walk away. It was awkward but it felt gratifying as if I did something educational.

I don't want to dissuade you, but some Japanese people don't like being singled and chatted up for practice. My wife, for instance haaaates it when someone interrupts her to speak broken Japanese to her. She explains it that a lot of Japanese people living abroad are interested in blending in and being treated the same as any other anglophone. I think she's a little extreme, but I know other people who feel the same, so approach with sensitivity.

Stansfield123 Wrote:

anritsi Wrote:ugh, please, don't. It definitely offends me when people assume I couldn't possibly be a native of the country I've lived in my entire life.

No one would assume that.

Tell that to my friend who had a white guy stroll up to her at the CBLDF booth at Emerald City Comicon this year and shout, "Konnichi wa!" (My friend is Chinese-American.)

Sadly, this shit happens constantly.

Is it possible for some people to tell just by looking at someone Asian whether the person is Chinese or Japanese? Can the Chinese/Japanese themselves do this?

WOW so many creeps in this thread. You think because someone on the street is Japanese gives you the right to just interrupt their life and use them as a tool for your broken-ass japanese practice? How self absorbed can you be? You even approached a busy woman alone with her kids in a parking lot, have you no shame whatsoever? How much do you even expect to get out of a conversation when you say shit like ある for people and don't even understand a word of their response?

How about go make some actual friends, sign up for a class, or talk to people that actually have some shred of commonality with you for a mutual, much more beneficial lasting exchange.

No, your japanese is not 上手, you gracing them with your presence is not a gift, and they're neither impressed nor pleasantly surprised with your hawgee may mawshtaay. Realize that being polite and giving praise is ingrained in Japanese culture, so they may seem favorable on the surface while hoping you'll just leave underneath.

As a Canadian who lives in Japan, I find it pretty awkward when Japanese people randomly try to talk to me in English. Doesn't happen too often, but often enough that it's gotten old. I'm half Filipino so I don't stand out too much, but it seems like my white friends get approached a lot more often, and most of them get tired of it pretty fast. I can only imagine that most Japanese people would feel the same way being approached in Canada. Usually I just laugh awkwardly and try to be polite and respond to people, but as soon as I get an opportunity to escape, I take it gladly. If I'm with a friend, we usually react by awkwardly exchanging glances, which should be a good indicator to people but usually isn't sufficient. I had one friend who just told people in Japanese that he didn't speak English because he was German/French/whatever. I'm pretty sure people knew it was a lie, but it seemed to make them back off.

The only times I don't find it awkward are when I'm already talking to someone (like a shop clerk or something), and they just ask me politely in Japanese where I'm from. Usually they just leave it at that and I don't feel like they're trying to practice their English on me--or trying to friend me on Facebook for later.

Just my two cents. If you'd like speaking practice, better to join a group where Japanese people can volunteer to be speaking partners, rather than be approached randomly.

What reaction would you get if you tried to strike up a conversation with a Canadian mom or group of bros? It makes more sense to try to make friends in regular ways, although you might need to look into language exchange or cultural events to meet foreigners.

Most Japanese are likely to be able to hold something resembling a conversation in English, especially if they're abroad, so if you can't do better than that, you should really be focusing on studying. If you're not especially set on face-to-face interactions, why not try a site like Shared Talk?

Cyrustor Wrote:WOW so many creeps in this thread. You think because someone on the street is Japanese gives you the right to just interrupt their life and use them as a tool for your broken-ass japanese practice? How self absorbed can you be?

It's inappropriate to interrupt this thread and call people "creeps" and insult them. Let's all please keep the discussion civil. We all have differing views but need to be polite. It makes for a more pleasant experience.

Cyrustor Wrote:WOW so many creeps in this thread.

Your point was already made earlier in the thread, less offensively ("Even asking for directions is a bit violent"). Go away.

Just my personal view of the matter, but I think there are things way more creepy and violent than a person that searches human connections, no matter how boring and irritating it can be. Maybe we might put the same punctiliousness on things more serious that instead we overlook. When a person choose me to practice his italian skills I'm happy, in truth I make some great friends this way. But we are all different so one has the right to feel bored from that approach, but still don't make the matter more serious than it is