Hi all, I went to Japan last week as part of a business delegation. We were briefed about some key phrases to use and we were told that if you’re pleased by someone’s service you could thank them for their effort by saying O Tsukaresama Deshita. I used the expression often, and people did seem pleased but also surprised and amused that I would say such a thing.
So I was wondering if it wasn’t really something you were supposed to say outside of specific circumstances.
3 comments
nah, you’re spot on. it very loosely translates to “thank you for your hard work”
You wouldn’t really say it to your hosts if you’re a guest. It’s more something you’d say to people in your “in-group” so as someone who is only in the country for a week even people who are in your company are not really on “otsukare-sama” level unless you’ve actually been working hard together on something during the trip and you develop that sort of relationship. It’s not really a “use with anyone” phrase. Sorry I’m not explaining it well. If you’re on the “I know a few phrases” stage of your Japanese journey it might be simpler to stick with “arigato.”
Think of the situation where you would say “Good work today”
So just as reference, I wouldn’t say it:
to the server who pour me some water.
to the IT technician who helps me with the wifi connection.
But I would use the phrase:
to the co-worker who I worked with for the whole day
to the driver who drove around for the team for the day