2011年12月 2日
Relationships (Feedback)
It's an interesting topic this one, isn't it? I've never heard of any surveys like this being done in other countries, but I think the percentages would probably be lower than those in Japan, particularly for boys.
I asked some of my students what they thought about this topic, and the reason most of them gave (especially the girls) was 理想が高い, which was also one of the comments made by the readers of the article. I also asked my students about the dating habits of young people.
The thing that surprised me most was how much they seem to rely on email and text messaging for communication. My students said that if a guy wants to ask a girl to go steady, he normally does it by email rather than face to face. One girl in my class also told me that she broke up with her boyfriend because he sent her a very rude and hurtful email when he was drunk.
This all seems very strange to me. I think there is a danger of young people becoming too reliant on technology to help them avoid any personal interaction that might be uncomfortable or embarrassing. If this happens, they will grow up with very poor communication skills. (Maybe that is already happening?) Mind you, people of my parents' generation used to say the same thing about TV when I was young, so maybe it is just that I am getting old :-)
Anyway, here is some feedback on your comments:
I often hear respondents of the kind.
(I often hear comments like this.)
Here is one comment that I can agree with. It sounds boring and realistic, but I think it makes the point.
(Nice sentence. Anne, I've noticed that your writing has become a lot more natural and accurate recently. It doesn't sound like translated Japanese anymore. Keep up the good work!)
How do you do! I'm not good at English.
But, I'll do my best (○＾＾○)
(Many Japanese people use "do my best" incorrectly, but this is actually a good example of how to use it. The phrase means, "I may not do very well, but I will try anyway.")
We work long hours and have many activities that we can choose from for free time.
(We work long hours and have a lot of choices when it comes to free time activities.)
Anyway, I don't buy the survey result because I don't think that it's a big deal.
(This is a bit strange because "I don't buy it" means I don't believe the result, but "I don't think that it's a big deal" means "I accept the result, but I don't think it's important." How about: "I don't buy the results of the survey, but even if I did, I don't think they would be a big deal.")
But I'm anxious for a comment.
(But one comment grabbed my attention. / But I was particularly worried by one of the comments.)
And the article is intriguing.
("Intriguing" is a good word :-)
As you may know especially in Japan, there is a sort of silent agreement that men are supposed to pay for everything when they go out. In this troubled economic situation, it is becoming increasingly difficult for men to do so.
(All very nice. I would put a comma after "As you may know," though.)
before I read the article, I just thought the minus points are huge for those people.
(before I read the article, I just assumed that the disadvantages must be really important for those people.)
and they love their freedom they have now
(and they love the freedom they have now)
When I had lunch with my friend the day before yesterday, she said "My daughter joined a tennis circle and has been hanging around with friends, including men; playing tennis, having parties and having fun. She is not going to find her future husband there because she does not want to give up her present cozy life style." My friend was complaining about it.
(All very nice.)
"discourages men to jump into " should be "discourages men from jumping into."
(Yes, that's right.)
My sister-in-law has been doing 婚活 activity.
(I guess the best way to translate this would be "has been actively looking for a husband." Remember that you cannot say "looking for her husband." That would mean that she is already married but has misplaced her partner!)
Have a great weekend, and see you again on Monday.
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Comments
Thank you for your feedback, David.
>before I read the article, I just thought the minus points are huge for those people.
(before I read the article, I just assumed that the disadvantages must be really important for those people.)
This is exactly what I wanted to say. I never thought of the word "assume" when I was writing this. Actually, I've never used it myself. I tend to use "think" too much when other verbs should be used(or are more appropriate). I will keep studying!
>I think there is a danger of young people becoming too reliant on technology to help them avoid any personal interaction that might be uncomfortable or embarrassing.
I agree with you. My niece told me that her boyfriend had asked her to go steady by email.
>If this happens, they will grow up with very poor communication skills. (Maybe that is already happening?)
I think it's already happening.
>Mind you, people of my parents' generation used to say the same thing about TV when I was young, so maybe it is just that I am getting old :-)
I'm relieved to hear that, but I'm still worried about the problem...
I want to write more, but I'm too sleepy to keep my eyes open.
Have a great weekend, everyone, and see you soon.
Tomo
- Tomo
- 2011年12月 3日 00:29
Thank you so much, david. Actually I didn't expect I would get a feedback from you. Your feedback inspires me to keep studying English until I can speak like a native speaker!
I delivered my daughter last year. I've been so busy all day and night since then. Now my mother visits me and will stay for 2 weeks. She helps me a lot for housework and looking after my daughter, so I can have some time for myself. After my mom leave, I'm not sure if I can keep posting my comments, but I would like to keep at least reading this blog, and to try to post even a few sentences.
Thank you again!
- I love Nutella
- 2011年12月 3日 01:26
Hi David,
Thank you for your feedback!
I read your comment with much interests. Coincidentally, I took noticed of the same sentences of yours with Tomo.
>My students said that if a guy wants to ask a girl to go steady, he normally does it by email rather than face to face.
>If this happens, they will grow up with very poor communication skills.
I agree with you, too. Young people would have hard time interact with other people when they get into workplace or get married. I think communication skill is crucial to have a good relationship with people in any relationship. How can parents with poor communication skill raise children properly?
Have a lovely weekend!
Fumie
- Fumie
- 2011年12月 3日 06:48
Hi David,
Thanks for your feedback, because I expected to your correction of my sentences.
>Anyway, I don't buy the survey result because I don't think that it's a big deal.
(This is a bit strange because "I don't buy it" means I don't believe the result, but "I don't think that it's a big deal" means "I accept the result, but I don't think it's important." How about: "I don't buy the results of the survey, but even if I did, I don't think they would be a big deal.")
After posting the comment, I read it again and I felt a bit strange too. So I wanted to re-write the sentence, but I couldn't find any good words :( Thanks again, I finally got proper words for what I wanted to say:)
Hi everyone,
It rained hard this morning, so I thought it wouldn't let up soon, but it did. I was thinking of going out but it's too cold to go out, so I will stay home and chillax.
Have a nice weekend,
amo
- amo
- 2011年12月 3日 14:57
Hi, David！
Tank you for your feedback.
Today is awaited holiday! and it is fine !
but, I'm working now. Today is not my day.
Have a good day!
- AKKO
- 2011年12月 4日 12:12
Hi David
Thanks for your feedback!
- Sana
- 2011年12月 5日 01:02
Hi David,
Thanks for your feedback as usual.
Explanation about the difference between "a husband" and "her husband" is interesting! It's really tricky, isn't it?
Thanks for your compliment. That made my day.
Have a lovely weekend, everyone!
Anne