Adding the word SAN

[nzproud]

I was closed to be born in NZ actually.. but soon my family moved back to Japan.. well back on topic.

[Kris]

I think Vapor-sama and Smothsake-san and Nzproud-san are right here. In my humble opinion at least. (I have only been living in Japan two years now)

The most common thing is as have been said last name+san. A funny thing I have noticed is that Japanese people can be very different when speaking English. People that speak good English tend to say "Oh, just call me Kayoko" or "Please call me Takeshi" when I address them with last name+san.

Also remember never to call yourself -san. Common mistake among foreigners is to introduce yourself with "My name is XXX-san". It is like saying "To you, I am MR Smith" sort of..

ps. About Bill Clinton, should it not be "Mr President"? Even ex-prez keep their title.. (just kidding..)

[vapor]

Originally Posted by Kris

I think Vapor-sama and Smothsake-san and Nzproud-san are right here. In my humble opinion at least. (I have only been living in Japan two years now)

(just kidding..)

See....at least one person has got the sama part down correctly!!

You are very right about the tendency for non-natives to add a -san to their own name....you look very silly when you do it, but it is often just chuckled off!

This is also true what Kris said about those who can speak English- or have lived overseas and then come back to Japan...they often prefer first name only.

But, you will always be right by calling someone last name-san, and then adapting to their preference, if they voice it.

vapor

[Kurisu]

Add san to your name is silly. Just like calling yourself, Sempai, Sensei or Shihan (i.e. referring to myself as Kurisu Sempai).

[vapor]

ouch..you are going to step on some toes with that one!!!

(it is true, but, probably a sensitive issue with some!)

vapor

[Kurisu]

Honestly, I don't care if someone is offended. It bugs the hell out of me when put their "karate" title after their name. It comes off as extremely arrogant.

I trained with someone, let's call him Paul. Paul used to call himself Paul Sensei, especially when he called someone on the phone, "Hello.. this is Paul Sensei". Paul was a very arrogant and power hungry person and his use of his title was a glaring example of this.