<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=257737.msg12899044#msg12899044">Quote from: Lynnette on 11-01-2017, 19:22:56</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">-San: Basically anyone you're not on first name basis, who has an equal standing with you.<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>Right, yeah. The only reason I mentioned it at all is because I was told that boys generally wouldn't be called that until after high school.  I can't imagine you'd<em>offend</em>anyone, but they might think you were trying to butter them up?<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=257737.msg12899044#msg12899044">Quote from: Lynnette on 11-01-2017, 19:22:56</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">but for someone staying in Japan for a prolonged period of time, I can see how it could be bothering, considering it's a stamp given purely by your looks. You can have perfect Japanese and follow all cultural norms and you'll still be considered a gaijin by people who don't know you.<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>And there's Jacob's<em>real</em>problem with the word, and the reason why he is actually more polite than expected (of a teenager anyway).  He's Japanese (half, but still) but he's<em>blond</em>.  So he hears it<em>all the time</em>and can spit back an explanation of almost any length required at any level of politeness.<br/><br/>Not important fact: I once ate in a Japanese restaurant named "Shine."  I'm sure it was the English word, but Internet cookies to whoever can understand my shock.  (It's not a tough question, so I'm sure they named it on purpose.)<br/><br/>And the real reason I post: I have a separated ligament in my shoulder. Just my offhand shoulder thankfully, but it is still awkward with an arm in a sling.  Typing may be slow but I will still try hard to post.  Jumping in wherever on day 2 is fine, yes?