Things Only Japanese People Do (Part2)

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[eva.]

I’m an American, and I always do this to seem engaged but then people think I’m about to speak and it ends up getting confusing. I’m not trying to interrupt, I just hear you

[CatMuto]

The Japanese Aizuchi just makes me think the rest of the world does that, too, when we pretend to be listening.
"Mhm. Yeah. Oh, really? Hm..."

[kuzuki]

I thought this was normal- like I just say “hmm, yes, yes, mhmm” just to make sure they know I’m listening, unless it’s really serious, then that’s a different story.

[pipintheapple]

I love it - when I practice speaking with native Japanese people, it almost feels like encouragement, like if they were silent I'd feel slightly awkward, but them making some indication that they understand me is comforting and makes it feel more like a conversation

[OpenWorldJapan]

Ah I’ve gotten so used to doing this in Japan! When I visited my family and friends in Australia, they thought I was being annoying 😂

[LunardragonVT]

I'm from north of Sweden and if I would do this, in my culture everyone would assume that I'm just openly telling them that I don't care nor have any intention to actually listen attentively to what they're saying so it's best for them to stop talking... Sometimes the differences is culture are hard to understand and grasp which is why I really appreciate videos such as this. For the fun aspect mainly, but also for actually teaching me something that I won't naturally learn or come across in my everyday life. Thanks for a fun video ^^

[winonapurple]

I actually really appreciate when people do this cause it shows they are really listening and hearing what I’m saying

[Saraseeksthompson]

You make me miss my best mate from school every time I watch you! She moved from Tokyo to the uk as a teenager, and you have similar mannerisms, expressions and senses of humour.

[Laura-Yu]

I guess I do something similar as an ‘murican, since I occasionally say “Right” or a “Mhm” with a small nod. Though I tend to look away when I’m really trying to focus what they’re saying so I guess that could also look impolite😂

[MariaAntona]

My dude, we do that in the English speaking world too! It's called active listening! That way people can feel like we are actually listening!

[thevjoiners]

It looked like it was very hard for you to stay motionless in the first part of the video 😆 I love your videos. Thank you George 💗

[ikr]

I nod my head and say hmmm whenever I agree... It's my way of engaging with the speaker and increases their confidence in their speech

[wilderness]

I really like your videos George, you are lovely to watch and listen too.

[Mochi-Reiko]

0:12 as a bangladeshi (south asian) we also be like that. we literally cannot stay silent cuz if we be silent during a conversation or someone saying something it is a bad manners for us. so we also say yes/or mhm after every word of them lol <3

[blessure]

Well, in brazil we do it to and more dramatically, like saying "giiirrlll i cant belive...!" Or "the super market guy?! Maaaan"

[wendytube]

This is one of the most interesting cultural differences between Japan and specifically North America but other cultures as well. I provide Homestay for Japanese students and watching them either try not to, or try to figure out when to, massage a conversation for lack of a better word. It’s interesting to watch because I I am aware that it’s very normal and considered polite for them to add in little noises of interest while someone else is talking and in North America it is not as prevalent. (If you ever want to see this difference really in action watch the difference between Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune and a Japanese game show. Very very different interactions.

[unworthy.potato]

I do that second one, I just realised that I’m the only one in my family and group of friends that does that

[faizardianz]

I'm Indonesian and i do this too!

Anyway, i love your vids. Thanks for making my day, George!

[dawnboden]

I was always taught that active listening: nodding, making audible sounds to show you are listening and reacting to what's being said, ... This is important for human beings.

[Mr.MoneyBags]

This is more than just a cultural thing. In speech pathology, this is known as “back channeling” which demonstrates to the speaker that you are listening, engaged, and understanding. You’ll often find this in books about improving communication.