Many Japanese/English bilinguals have differing opinions on whether you should use Japanese or English to approach Japanese girls.
I've attempted it in both languages extensively. For me, it has constantly been much better to approach Japanese women in English. Bear in mind, I am not a typical foreigner so your situation could require a modification of strategy. My reasoning is as follows.
Reason # 1: To Stand Out and Avoid Sociocultural Assumptions
I am Japanese-American. Prior to opening my yapper, I am not so different from the other 50 million native Japanese dudes in this nation. If I approach a lady with a standard Nihongo 101 greeting, I will be quickly classified as a run-of-the-mill Japanese male. Her brain will quickly toss me in a mental box with all the other Japanese dudes (most likely losers) who have propositioned her in the past. Odds are this is not in my favor, so I like to prevent this unfavorable knee-jerk response whenever possible.
By simply saying "hello" instead of "sumimasen", I immediately let the girl know that I am not Japanese, thus placing myself in a different category where the cultural expectations of Japanese culture do not apply. I also avoid any negative knee-jerk responses to being hit on in Japanese.
Most Japanese people do not hear much English on a daily basis. Even fewer have English spoken to them. Using English to approach most Japanese girls will be a moment of their day that they won't easily forget. It is in your best interest to use this to your advantage.
Quick Sorting and Reliable Reactions
Whether a Japanese girl is interested in me or not, utilizing English offers me excellent feed back that will inform me of where I stand. This is due to the fact that approaching in English is far more polarizing than doing so in Japanese. Her feedback to your opening will have more clear indications of whether she is interested or not. It also makes her to put effort into the interaction, which is never a bad thing. On the occasions where the conversation strikes a lull due to her absence of English capability, I can switch to Japanese and keep it going.
Reason # 3: Less Excuses
My Japanese is wonderful. Real wonderful. Hey there, everybody, come see how good my Japanese is. Even so, my English is still light years better. And I'm no master ladies' man. I still get approach anxiety sometimes. When I'm not feeling completely social, there are times when conversing in another language is just enough of an obstacle to make me say, "I'm going home". But since I mainly approach ladies with English, this reason seldom comes up in my mind.
Furthermore, even though the level of English penetration in Tokyo, the most international of all cities in Japan, is pretty bad, your average girl on the street will understand basic English greetings. My advice is to just use the first English greeting that comes to mind and let the chips fall where they may.
In Closing
In terms of time and effort, using English to approach Japanese girls just cannot be beat even if it's only for the initial "hi". Never feel like you "have to" talk to Japanese girls in Japanese.
I've attempted it in both languages extensively. For me, it has constantly been much better to approach Japanese women in English. Bear in mind, I am not a typical foreigner so your situation could require a modification of strategy. My reasoning is as follows.
Reason # 1: To Stand Out and Avoid Sociocultural Assumptions
I am Japanese-American. Prior to opening my yapper, I am not so different from the other 50 million native Japanese dudes in this nation. If I approach a lady with a standard Nihongo 101 greeting, I will be quickly classified as a run-of-the-mill Japanese male. Her brain will quickly toss me in a mental box with all the other Japanese dudes (most likely losers) who have propositioned her in the past. Odds are this is not in my favor, so I like to prevent this unfavorable knee-jerk response whenever possible.
By simply saying "hello" instead of "sumimasen", I immediately let the girl know that I am not Japanese, thus placing myself in a different category where the cultural expectations of Japanese culture do not apply. I also avoid any negative knee-jerk responses to being hit on in Japanese.
Most Japanese people do not hear much English on a daily basis. Even fewer have English spoken to them. Using English to approach most Japanese girls will be a moment of their day that they won't easily forget. It is in your best interest to use this to your advantage.
Quick Sorting and Reliable Reactions
Whether a Japanese girl is interested in me or not, utilizing English offers me excellent feed back that will inform me of where I stand. This is due to the fact that approaching in English is far more polarizing than doing so in Japanese. Her feedback to your opening will have more clear indications of whether she is interested or not. It also makes her to put effort into the interaction, which is never a bad thing. On the occasions where the conversation strikes a lull due to her absence of English capability, I can switch to Japanese and keep it going.
Reason # 3: Less Excuses
My Japanese is wonderful. Real wonderful. Hey there, everybody, come see how good my Japanese is. Even so, my English is still light years better. And I'm no master ladies' man. I still get approach anxiety sometimes. When I'm not feeling completely social, there are times when conversing in another language is just enough of an obstacle to make me say, "I'm going home". But since I mainly approach ladies with English, this reason seldom comes up in my mind.
Furthermore, even though the level of English penetration in Tokyo, the most international of all cities in Japan, is pretty bad, your average girl on the street will understand basic English greetings. My advice is to just use the first English greeting that comes to mind and let the chips fall where they may.
In Closing
In terms of time and effort, using English to approach Japanese girls just cannot be beat even if it's only for the initial "hi". Never feel like you "have to" talk to Japanese girls in Japanese.
About the Author:
It can be tricky to get Japanese girls. They certainly were to me, and I'm Japanese-American. Fortunately, I figured out how to lead a life of romantic abundance in the land of the rising sun. Learn everything I wish I'd known back when I was a college graduate on my blog on get Japanese girls.
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