Japan Interviews #26 - Birthdays

[cantabriver]

i love japanese ppl :)

[Esuna]

I think a lot of people forget or don't know these people are still learning English and a lot of the pausing and thinking is just trying to remember words they've memorized as responses. They aren't slow or dumb or "cute" they're just trying to struggle through a foreign language and pretty much laughing or smiling through it is the only way to deal with the anxiety of not being confident and still unsure in what they're saying.

[1103mix1103]

I eat cake on my birthday too. by the way, nowadays, candles of my age cannot put on a cake. candle light looks like campfire.

[1103mix1103]

@1103mix1103 I eat cake on my birthday too. by the way, nowadays, candles of my age cannot put on a cake. candle light looks like campfire.

[1103mix1103]

I eat cake on my birthday too. by the way, nowadays, candles of my age cannot put on a cake. candle light looks like campfire.

( ￣▽￣)

[HeliusSlayer]

OMG I love hearing Japanese speak English. It's so adorable and awesome they can understand two languages.

[Plaoplay]

@HeliusSlayer

In my opinion, being able to understand two languages is no big deal if you put efforts on it, and that's what's awesome. So they are not awesome because they understand two languages, they are awesome because they are putting efforts into speaking english for people who are interested in japan their resident.

This is my opinion, but you can think they are awesome for the reason you want.

[guardianjuan]

OMFG their eyes are so kawaiii!!!!

[jodelle6]

more interviews please! i love them!

[jodelle6]

i wish my mom made cake for my birthday, she's a good baker. but she always end up buying one not as good!

[BrrrrBrrrrBrrrr]

How is Japan people attitude to strangers ?

sorry my english i quite bad

[TheRoamingGnome2]

@BrrrrBrrrrBrrrr He has a video on this topic on his interview playlist, where they talk about foreigners in Japan.

[lexusES350h]

Hahaha loved the ending! "hellooo japanchannel hehehe"

[CelesteRepchukLife]

Great video! 

[FlintFandango]

Interesting! So they´re having cakes - like european people and they´re getting presents (but not so often) - like european people. So finally, we´ve something in common! Nice! ^_^

[SaiKamiKannon]

This was cute and you posted it the day after my birthday.

[Goat5611]

I love these interviews. I know you said these take a TON of work, but they are, by far, my favorite uploads! Makes me MISS JAPAN!

[Franc100101]

Thank you very much, JapanChannel, for making these awsome videos. For someone pretending to visit Japan, they are very interesting. Keep up the good work! ;)

[Nemesis093781]

I try to work on every birthday if possible. Thank you for the video. Thumbs up.

[yoremkastor]

how do you celebrte ur birthday

just like a normal day ..............

[chibicheeks78]

This was a fun video. Thanks as always for sharing it with us.

[CAVITYFIGHTER214]

they are good enough to carry a small conversation good job..=)

[chord1019]

いいねこれ

[aplateofcheesyfries]

Love the interviews! XD

[bestiaccia]

They look like such nice people!!!!

[bleachtn]

that guy is hot 0:40 , especially his voice... :p

[ferbilkers]

Love these guys, and I love seeing the thought process involved in forming answers to your questions.

[fire21flame]

I like your videos.You do great job. Humorous ,objective,but not arrogant or pervert.THANK YOU!KEEP GOING ! I WAIT FOR NEW ONE



[imstillbehindyou]

I LOVE this stuff. I could watch these videos for hours(if time would permit it, unfortunately that's not the case). Well done and interesting and NEVER boring. Keep'm coming!

[haversman]

Good work, everyone! I love hearing about these topics, and the improvement in their English over time. You all are awesome!

Thanks for the video!

[SmilingMaram]

I love hearing this sample of japanese people talk about how they do things and whatnot..

Thank you (and them) for always providing these interviews

[LunarpowerCKP]

It's good to let Japanese people finally have a chance to practice English with conversations. I would love for a Japanese person to have a Japanese conversation with me, so I can learn too.

[BlueRazor69]

1st and 3rd girl related?

They look really similar, and I'm not making an Asian joke I'm legitimately curious

[haversman]

@BlueRazor69 psst They are probably all in-laws, co-workers, and friends. So it might be possible :)

[Ciasta]

I agree, the last gentleman is awesome! It's so cool that his family celebrates with him ^_^

[s3xyScorp]

cant go wrong with money as a present..lol

[roboticeye]

The guy at 0:30 looks like he could be in Japanese movies. 

[wgerardi]

your videos make me smile

[MrMax89]

I have not even watched the video yet, but I LOVE the interviews!!!!! Thumbs up!!!! Oh and thank you!!!

[Bleakfacts]

Do they sing happy birthday in Japanese?

[bkishiro]

Thanks for another informative video, and thanks to your Interviees for sharing with us.

[ryanwallen22]

I love the last guy so much, it is impossible not to.

[Jimaera]

The guy at the end looks and sounds more like a teacher than a student.

[Zazumaki]

@ryanwallen22 I think everyone does =)

[FadedSilkandGhosts]

@ryanwallen22

I know. They all seem like nice people but the last guy is really charismatic. :P

[imtheonlysane1here]

@FreezingPT ...no matter what language you speak. It takes getting used to speaking a second language in casual conversation (I know from experience). That's one reason why Japanese schools hire native speakers of English, so their students can learn to speak English face-to-face with someone.

[imtheonlysane1here]

@FreezingPT The problem isn't so much knowing it but being able to speak it in a conversation. They might be able to do it in a classroom, where you're focusing on a particular subject that's on your mind, and a set number of phrases you're learning. But it's different in a normal conversation, where you need to be able to immediately recall the words you need to know from your whole vocabulary. For anyone, it's easy to freeze and take a moment to recall what you need to say...

[FreezingPT]

that 3:53 guy is just awesome !!!!

[SpiritofInsanity]

I hear that it's not uncommon in Japan for people older than about 30 to completely forget their own birthdays. I guess it's seen as something for the young.

[myladyash]

That lady at the end is SO adorable XD

[TheLifePerfect]

Hello English Students! xD

[tjlopez0946]

is it strange to get birthday presents on birthdays? there have been mangas, jdramas, and anime that show that presents are apart of the whole birthday celebration in japanese culture, like that in the US or in any western culture. another question i have because you hear this a lot in your interviews and that is cakes. what is so special about a cake in japanese culture that i cannot see? *i am american*

:)

[IsisHunter7]

Aww, they all look so genuinely sweet giving their answers =) It must be extremely difficult to comprehend questions and give answers in English but they all did very well.

[patientzero532]

Hey, some new faces. And some old faces. Always a thumbs up for you, and the crew!

[xxZeroZonexx]

Of course you would upload this on my birthday! That's awesome.

[tylerdugray]

I eat many cakes FTW!

[ToKyoBraZilBoriCua77]

awesomeee, seriously this is so cool... :)

[shadowicewolf54]

they are very good at english :)

[JacopoMTK]

Does hitting 20x times "Like" button gives even more interview? xD

[seventhsheaven]

"I eat many cakes." - best way to spend a birthday, imo!! :D

[TheRoamingGnome2]

ironic this comes out a week before my birthday! lol

[NeroVirgil87]

Lovely!

[CptEddyPrice]

0 dislikes :D Tempting ^^

[TheAle89515]

I didn't understand what she said at 3:38... can anyone tell me?

[imtheonlysane1here]

@TheAle89515 I think she said 'manicure'

[TheAle89515]

@imtheonlysane1here Now I hear it.

[KintaromOe]

@TheAle89515 Sounds like 'manicure'.

[mattosso83]

These guys are all so endearing! They always make me smile. It's almost like a TV show for me. I'm always excited to see what's going to happen next and how they are going to grow in their English.

[blead40]

actually is your birthday to celebrate your parents that have born you and wash there feet that was in the Buddhism in china people that beleef in god or want to be a good person do actually that, but when i became 18 on 6 Jan. that was the first time that i have washed my parents feet o.o but my parent belief in god so i did it for them ^^ (i hope this comment isn't strange o.o)

[LoBoiOnTheTrack]

"I eat many cakes!"

:D (: :) ;P

[Kisara7604]

Thank you all for willing to participate in these videos and give us -who live so far away- such an insight into the Japanese daily life! I personally deeply value your answers and you should be proud, because as far as I know, no other culture attracts so much interest! Thank you!

[TaltosGirl]

Cake & money sounds like a good deal ^_^

[Flaresteel]

Amazing Interviews :) Really gives a inside feeling of Japan in a certain way

[KensAwesomechannel]

Hey it's my 20th bithday today.

[Red1Champloo]

@KensAwesomechannel Happy birthday dude! :D

[KensAwesomechannel]

@Red1Champloo Thank you

[Lucailey]

@KensAwesomechannel Happy birthday!

[KensAwesomechannel]

@Lucailey Thanks

[TheStadiamond]

The person At: 3:43 speaks very well English, is he an English teacher in japan ? He stands out with his proficiency, so i'm just wondering ^_^

[n00b240sx]

@TheStadiamond watch some of the earlier interview videos, he wasnt always so proficient and has improved ALOT

[NqkoisitamBG]

you should ask them about like what they think about earthquakes! Are they scared and stuff, or they just used to it i imagine, or like about school in their experience, or or about sex, and why they don't wanna have relation ships and stuff. Though I guess that requires a higher lvl english to answer. Darn I wanna go to japan so bad :(.

[h2inuyasha2]

@NqkoisitamBG Lol @ your sex question.

[SpookMrsSpooky]

They are so precious! I have a birthday coming up - as I get older I do less and less. I'll get cards and sometimes someone will buy me something. These days I just go out to dinner with a friend who has the same birthday. :)

[NqkoisitamBG]

Why wasn't there an interview with the girl from the cover of the video, she is one of the funnier ones :(, Oh and also some of the girls you previously interviewed don't show up no more, did they get offended or something? that sucks...

[slvrttzx]

the guy at 1:20 is getting worse...lol hes supposed to get better at english!

[Slambertmilam11]

@slvrttzx im certain it was just a topic with words he was unfamiliar with.

[wingwaabuddha]

What I find generally in east asia (korea Japan China) is a birthday is less of a big deal then in US. Cakes are very popular, but sometimes cake is the only thing, presents are not a big deal. That is what I find to be true.

[greenredmnga25]

the man at the end speaks amazing english!

[greenredmnga25]

the girl at 1:54 is cute

[cjw1010]

I want to move to Japan so bad, but from all the videos ive seen most people are english teachers, while thats a good job i just dont think teaching would be that fun. Ive also seen your videos where there is discrimination against foreigners, would it be hard to get a job in engineering? And if so is a teacher salary as bad in Japan as it is in the U.S?

[gateauxQ]

@cjw1010 I have know people who went to Japan as engineers, they first got jobs from companies in their home country which have branches in Japan. Doubtless, an engineering salary would be much high than a teacher's. Most English teacher's have a starting salary that is just enough to live comfortably/modestly on.

[cjw1010]

@gateauxQ ok thanks, I can't wait to go there unfortunately im gonna have to wait till after college. But that means more time to study the language.

[dragonballmarcus]

@cjw1010 I've always been of the impression that whilst you may see some anti-gaijin feeling in Japan it's not usually in business. A lot of the time I've been told Japan is looking to employ native english speakers in a lot of different professions. - The 'anti-foreigner' feeling you're refering to usually props its head in the form of stares and cautiousness, it's not really a malicious thing but often there's little interaction with foreigners in some parts of Japan.

[cjw1010]

@dragonballmarcus Ok, I wasn't sure if businesses did it so much when hiring, but i can see the people of the country looking at a foreigner weird. just because they are not used to them, but i also hear they are very helpful.

[lemonrind]

I like birthdays.

[zavaboy]

It's my birthday today. My family doesn't stress gift giving. Usually my family goes out to eat anywhere I want on my birthday. Same goes for everyone else in my family.

[EWGFus3r]

birthdays dont seem that big of a deal in japan among teenagers.

[PeircedinBlood]

The last guy knows English very well. ^_^

[forgottenwinner]

My birthday was last week, I ate many cakes as well.

[endhalf]

That man at the end (he looks like Jackie Chan, hope it's not offensive toward him) sounds like he might be a teacher... :D

[ThePandiee]

N'aaaw it's so cute. I just love them all!~

[KintaromOe]

It's a pity that my comments were erased. I just meant the 'funny' more as a 'likeable' one! Not on a bad way -.-* Never mind...

[TheJapanChannelDcom]

As always, any comments which may offend the people in the video will be deleted.

[SZ19891993]

@TheJapanChannelDcom Dear silly old dude,I'm not celebrating my oncoming 18 years old birthday because i wanna save everything and get an Ibanez...how did you celebrate yours? Would you like to pm me?

Ciao!

[watashiwahjolan]

@TheJapanChannelDcom Nice Video just so funny my birthday is tommorrow January 17th HA HA I was like no way a birthday video and a pie video back to back lol...man your reading my mind and my tummy lol....Decided Forgoe the cake I wanta meat pie from pub with Cherry Pie for dessert on my birhtday....oh yum yum.... I did not know what i wanted to do for my birhtday till this thanks man!

[SpookMrsSpooky]

@TheJapanChannelDcom I would hope so! I hate to believe someone would, but then I remember that this IS the internet where every idiot can spew.

[serena9090]

@TheJapanChannelDcom how can we offend them? they are all so polite,nice and always smiling :) thnx for sharing

[24okay]

@serena9090 Not just that but Speaking Japanese and Speaking English, each human being uses a completely different part of their brain. I didn't learn this until I took Japanese at college. I became very good close friends with my Japanese teacher (since I was the only person in her class closest to her age).

[Deanovo1]

@TheJapanChannelDcom Thank you for getting rid of all the Ignorant comments left by immature people.

[zepherighost]

@TheJapanChannelDcom Are most japanese people this amusing? It's funny how they always eat cake :)

[dando0n94]

Jackie channnnnnnnnnn!!! in the end

[Cendryx]

Some cakes.

"__"

[40fatty]

the last guy is the best !!!

[jfan4reva]

"I eat many cakes" - Thumbs up! LOL!

[Speed12236]

@KintaromOe How is that funny? He was trying to speak english correctly and understandably.

[KintaromOe]

@Speed12236 Nobody talks about his pronunciation! So what do you want from me?

[Speed12236]

@KintaromOe He was blinking because he was trying to speak english correctly.

[KintaromOe]

@Speed12236 You're really smart!

[Speed12236]

@KintaromOe I'm not sure if that's a compliment, or sarcasm. Either way, thank you.

[23penguins32]

Jameson and Guinness. Beyond that, gifts are optional (for those remaining standing, or able to sit without aid). It's a celebration of spirit. Material things are either-or. Great topic :)

[balaroo29]

awwww.I just get drunk sometimes... and thats all...:(

[MrSpazmataz]

@TheJapanChannelDcom do u know of any pen-pal websites (I'm not sure if that is the correct terminology) where i could converse with a Japanese person to train my skills (its the school holidays in aus atm so i have no way to train) any reply would be much appreciated :)

[abdullahazaz]

I love the last guy he always gives an awesome response :D

[MassiveJetGrind]

Hey, can you send me a Bad Girl air freshener for my Birthday?

[MurdocLC]

@DrunkenSamurai18 Who?

[slogger78]

I love these videos! I have spent a good chunk of the last four days watching them. Thank you.

[DrunkenSamurai18]

@Speed12236 i was just kidding

[Speed12236]

I like the last guy! His english is excellent! I also like his accent. :)

[DrunkenSamurai18]

she doesnt look like she eats that many cakes...

[Speed12236]

@DrunkenSamurai18 Not everyone gains weight from eating food. It's call high metabolism.

[zepherighost]

@DrunkenSamurai18 I know, right?!

[takoisma]

Who was that at the end? Didn't seem like it was a student.. was that your wife?

[Tehknikally]

I enjoy watching these.

[xxSerpenttinexx]

Cool :)