Is it only my friends?...

[Mamoru-kun]

Hello everyone!

something which I found wierd six years ago. At least two of my friends (who were learning japanese with me) once said that they disliked japan and japanese people. I asked why then they were learning japanese, and they answered (more as a joke I guess) that it was because of japanese women. Well, for me (I was almost "in love" with that country back to that time) it was a very strange behaviour. After that, it happened from time time for me to meet people learning japanese with the same kind of mind. Have you also met such persons? I can't figure out what lead them to learn japanese if they dislike Japan that much...

[budd]

looking at the avatar

[Mamoru-kun]

I beg your pardon?

[lexico]

Hmm, that's IS weird. I've never heard anything like it.
Perhaps they were forced to learn it, and hated the fact that they had to against their will ? For a job/career or for a girl friend ?

[nurizeko]

They were probably saying it with a level of sarcasm and joking.

That or they carry a love-hate relationship for japan, it wouldnt be the first.

[Mamoru-kun]

Mmmm...yes, did they have a more complex reason that what I thought? That's right that some people can "show their love of someone by being rude with him/her"...or would it be only a french expression? Anyway, those two guys (I forgot to add that they were brothers) seems to be a very particular case...

[lexico]

[S]ome people can "show their love of someone by being rude with him/her"...or would it be only a french expression ?How would you say that in French ? I know certain "kdis" could do that; loave and affection is too great a "rush" to confess esp. in public.. for some people.Anyway, those two guys ( I forgot to add that they were brothers ) seems to be a very particular case...This is new information. Are they twins or just 2-3 yrs apart ? Some guys will have an ideolect or code-speak so only the two understand anything for sure, while letting everyone else overhearing wouldn't know anything with much certainty. They might have had the insiders' joke at your innocent question. Did they laugh a lot or smirk after answering ? Any hint of a secondary meaning ?

[nice gaijin]

If they want to learn a language to impress Japanese girls, they should study english...

That's right that some people can "show their love of someone by being rude with him/her"...or would it be only a french expression?
This just cracked me up for some reason.

[Mamoru-kun]

This is new information. Are they twins or just 2-3 yrs apart ?
Not twins. No more than two years different if I well remember (I lost contact some years ago, so I can't confirm).

They might have had the insiders' joke at your innocent question. Did they laugh a lot or smirk after answering ? Any hint of a secondary meaning ?
I don't believe that they were laughing at me. I well remember that time, and they showed us (we were, all the classmates, outside the classroom waiting to enter) some kind of proudness on what they were saying. I also don't believe that they were playing, because back to that time we were arround 22 years old, so no more childs. They really made me think that, for a reason or another, they really disliked Japan (I haven't said "hate", just disliking). And by the way, it was night lessons, so I'm almost sure that they were not forced to attempt the lessons.

The last news I got from them, some years ago, is that one of those brothers finally entered...a japan intensive study course in Paris. Really unbelievable...

If they want to learn a language to impress Japanese girls, they should study english...
...That sounds indeed relevant :-)

[Kinsao]

Wow - they must really fall for Japanese girls to go to the trouble of studying the language. :o I can maybe understand that they study a little, for in a shallow way to impress girls with some sentences and conversation... but... intensive study course? :souka: Well, maybe the guy is talented at languages and even though he didn't like Japan, he perhaps got fascinated by learning the language... :clueless: