Mods: Please remove this if it isn’t sub appropriate. I was hoping to get a view on how this interaction would be different in Japanese culture, but not asking for a translation request. (I have already made a translation request on r/translator.)
Hello everyone, I’m taking a course in Applied Linguistics at university and I have to examine this interaction. One small part of this assignment is to discuss how the interaction would be different in another culture. We are encouraged to get someone who speaks another language to do this.
If possible, could you please note how this interaction would be different in your country? (The example is a waitress in an Australian restaurant seating customers and taking their order. Maybe think of how this process goes in your country as well as the difference in the way the waitress and customers might speak to one another- level of formality, the difference in how the service is given, etc. It doesn’t need to be very in depth, but a few examples of how the interaction would be different would be very much appreciated.) Thank you very much.
*Conversation between a waitress and customers*
W: Hi guys, what can we help you with?
C1: Just the two of us.
W: Sure thing. Here’s some menus; we’ll pop you on table two. *(Gestures to the table)* Someone will be over to grab a drink order for you in a minute.
C1: Ok, thanks.
*The waitress goes over to the table a couple of minutes later.*
W: Hello. How’d you go looking at drinks?
C1: I’ll grab a pint of pale *(a beer)*.
C2: And I’ll have a glass of sav blanc (*white wine)*, please.
W: Which Sav Blanc would you like? We have Shaw and Smith or Nepenthe (*both wine brands*) from the Adelaide Hills, or our house white is Oxford Landing.
C2: Just the house, please.
W: Alright guys, one pint of pale and one Oxford Sav. Your drinks won’t be long, I’ll come check on you in five to take a meal order.
*Waitress comes back with drinks*
W: Alrighty guys, one pale and one sav blanc.
C2: Thank you.
W: Still looking at food at the moment?
C1: Yeah just give us another five, we should be good by then.
W: Okie dokie, I’ll come check on you in five.
*Waitress comes back to check on food order.*
W: Hi guys, how’d you go?
C1: Yeah we’re ready. To C2: Are you ready?
C2: Yeah, yeah I know what I want.
W: Ok so what can I get you?
C1: I’ll have the rump steak with pepper sauce.
W: How would you like that cooked?
C1: Medium rare.
W: Ok, awesome. To C2: And what would you like?
C2: Can I get the chicken burger, but can I get sweet potato fries instead of chips?
W: Let me check that with the chef for you, I’ll be right back.
*Waitress leaves and then comes back quickly*
W: Unfortunately the chef doesn’t make that substitution, but we do have them on the menu as a side for $7. Would you like to add that?
C2: Mmmm… Do you want some? (*Spoken to C1)*
C1: Yeah get a bowl, I’ll have some.
C2: Okay, yeah, add a bowl.
W: Awesome, okay so that’s the rump, medium rare with pepper, one chicken burger and one sweet potato fries. Still alright for drinks?
C2: Yes thank you.
W: Okay guys, let me clear those menus for you. Have a lovely dinner and if there’s anything else we can help you with just ask.
C1: Cheers mate.
3 comments
Well for one, no Japanese waiter/waitress would use such a casual friendly tone. You’re a customer gracing the establishment, not some college friend popping in for a meal. It’d be considered disrespectful and embarrassing, both for the restaurant and the customer.
Another difference – usually in Japan, you have to call the waiter over. If you are visibly foriegn, then they might stop by your table. But, usually, you have to call them with a “sumimasen” (excuse me). That’s to order drinks, food, and get the check.
I’ll give it a crack, since it sounds like fun. Keep in mind the tone of the conversation is formal the entire time, but this won’t really come across in the English below. In general there is very little chatting or unnecessary words. I’ll set it in a casual Japanese restaurant, since that would, I assume, be analogous. For reference, I have lived in Japan for 10 years and speak at a near-native level but I am not Japanese.
W: Welcome. How many?
C1: Two.
W: Do you have a reservation?
C1: No.
W: Right this way. (shouts to staff “two guests!” Staff shouts back acknowledgement. Leads customers to table.) Please call to us when you are ready to order.
C1: Actually, can we order drinks now?
W: Yes, what will you have?
C1: Draft beer
C2: Do you have white wine?
W: We have wine X and wine Y (briefly describes difference)
C2: Wine X please.
W: That’s one draft beer and one wine X. I will bring them.
Customers look at menu, yell “Excuse me” to no one in particular when they are ready to order, though it has been only a moment and the drinks have not yet arrived.
C1 orders for the both of them 3 or 4 things to share. W repeats them all and asks “is that right?” C1 says yes. There is no request to alter any of the orders or customize anything.
W brings the drinks and food when they are ready, naming the drink/food as she/he places it on the table.
Guests eat meal, say “Excuse me!” to no one in particular when done and W brings check, which they pay at register at the front of the restaurant on their way out. Cashier smiles and asks whether they forgot any belongings.
Guests say “thanks for the meal” (a set phrase) on their way out. Cashier says come again, bows.