Can I change this for smaller bills?

Osamu took a taxi but felt nervous about catching one because of a bad experience on the mainland. He didn't trust them because they cheated him before. They gave him back the wrong change. He only had 20 and 100 dollar bills. He started to worry if they would shortchange him. After that, he couldn't enjoy the scenery from the taxi window. Tipping is common practice in America. If anyone has done a service for you, you should tip. It’s a common courtesy. You should tip bellboys, waiters, waitresses, taxi drivers, valet boys, hairdressers. Even for some Americans it is awkward to give a big bill to the person. There’s a fear that they will think they are getting a big tip. It’s better to have a few dollars ready if you want to avoid this situation. You have to think ahead of time. When getting change- "Could I get a few dollar bills?"

小さなお金（１ドル札）に両替して頂けますか？
ちいさなおかね（いちドルさつ）に りょうがえしていただけますか？

Can I change this for smaller bills?
Can you please give me change in ones?

お釣は１ドル札で頂けますか？
おつりは１ドルさつでいただけますか？

May I have my change in one dollar bills?

7/15/1992

Please hold the elevator!

Osamu was uncomfortable with Americans in the elevators because Americans always looked and him and tried to talk. So he would try to avoid being in close areas with them. When an elevator stopped on his floor, he told the people “please! please!” They thought that he wanted them to hold open the door. What he really intended to say was “Please go ahead. I’ll wait for the next one.” Foreigners should learn short nice phrases. Americans will be happy to hear them.

お先にどうぞ！
おさきにどうぞ！

Please, go ahead!

6/15/1992

（ジャパニーズビーチプレス連載）

I have the wrong number

Osamu wanted to make a reservation at a fancy restaurant. He dialed but it was the wrong number. He suddenly hung up when a woman answered the phone. He pretended that nothing happened in front of his wife because he didn’t want her to know that he made a mistake. We often make a mistake and dial wrong numbers. Even though a foreigner may not be fluent, they shouldn’t hang up, that is rude and maybe scary for the other person. They might think you are a crank caller. If you call and don’t recognize the voice you should still ask for that person- “Hello, may I speak to Jane?” or “I’m sorry, I have the wrong number.” The person who answers, may say the same thing to you- “I’m sorry, you have the wrong number.” Some people are very nice and tell you- “That’s no problem, or that’s ok.” To clarify that you made a mistake, you should check the number by saying “Is this 941-4789?” This will tell you if you made a mistake or if someone gave you the wrong number.

すみません、間違えました。
すみません。まちがえました。

I’m sorry, I made a mistake.

電話番号を間違えました。
でんわばんごう　を　まちがえました。

I have the wrong number.

すみません。ご迷惑をおかけしました。
すみません、ごめいわくをおかけしました。

I’m sorry to have bothered (disturbed) you.

電話番号を間違えていらっしゃいます。
でんわばんごう を まちがえていらっしゃいます。

I think you have the wrong number.

5/15/1992

（ジャパニーズビーチプレス連載）

We are in a hurry, could you put a rush on that?

While they were waiting for their tour Osamu and his wife went to a restaurant to eat. The service was slow and they had to be on time to get their optional tour. He wanted to tell the waitress something but she was ignoring them. Sometimes, American service is very slow. They may take their time unless you tell them you are in a hurry. It’s all right for you to tell them that. They will not get offended. You should ask your waitress because they have certain areas that they have to take care of. You should tell the waitress your situation before you order. If you are at a place where there is a long line, you won’t be able to get fast service so you should just leave and go to another place. If we are with friends we will eat together and then have a little time to talk. If we don’t have time to stay, we will apologize by saying this: “We’re sorry to eat and run, but we have an appointment.” “Eat and Run” means eat and then leave right away without talking to people and spending time with them.

すみません。
ツアー・バスがもうすぐ出発しますので、急いでいます。
すみません。ツアーバスがもうすぐしゅっぱつしますので、いそいでいます。

Excuse me, our tour bus is leaving soon and we’re in a rush.

すみません、急いでいます。早くして頂けますか？
すみません、いそいでいます。 はやくしていただけますか？

We are in a rush, could you bring our food as soon as possible?
We are in a hurry, could you put a rush on that?

4/15/1992

（ジャパニーズビーチプレス連載）

Cash or charge / Paper or plastic?

At the checkout line, the cashier at the supermarket. Many Japanese people feel nervous about their English so when they hear even simple English, they panic and only hear dktjierlksdjf? Usually, the cashier will only ask you what kind of bag do you want. To Japanese people, “plastic” is like a table or bottle. They call a plastic bag “vinyl.” Before, they would ask “paper or plastic?” because you could have a choice. Now, there is a shortage of trees. They want to save paper, so they have changed the questions to “Is plastic ok?” And usually the person will say yes. Also, nowdays, you can get a discount if you have a membership card. They will ask you if have that card.

They will say: Do you have a makai card? Do you have Royal card? Do you have a Safeway card?

Also, when something is out, Americans ask for “rainchecks.” This is a slip of paper that allows the person to buy the same item for the discount price when the item comes in. Usually you have to buy it within 30 days from the date of the raincheck. First go look for your item. If you don’t find it, then you should ask a store worker. Sometimes they put it in the front on display and you miss it. Or they might be out of an item but have more in the back which they forgot to move to the front. Sometimes they will give you another brand as a substitute. If none of this is possible, you should go to the customer service and ask for a raincheck. They will usually ask these questions: For what item do you want a raincheck? How many do you want? They will sometimes ask your name, number or zip code. They also might ask if you checked if the item was out. If you can’t find an item, you may say to the store worker: May I have a raincheck? So the questions asked at a supermarket will be: “Cash or charge?” = Do you want to pay by cash or by credit card? “Is plastic ok?” = Is a plastic bag ok? “Do you have a makai card? = Do you have a discount card? “ Is that all?” (If you have one small item, they might ask you this.) These are all “yes” or “no” answers.

3/1/1992

（ジャパニーズビーチプレス連載）