The XQ Sumimasen Podcast

Culture shock doesn't always come from major traditions or dramatic differences. More often, it shows up in ordinary situations: taking out the trash, getting around the city, dealing with paperwork, or realizing that different parts of Japan can feel surprisingly far apart. In this episode, guest co-host Devin and I looked back on some of the first experiences that challenged our expectations after moving to Japan and how our understanding of the country changed over time. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Learning the Rules of Everyday Life One of the first adjustments many foreigners face is Japan's garbage collection system. Sorting bottles, cans, plastics, paper, and household waste can feel overwhelming when you're still learning the local rules. The exact re...

Learning Japanese from textbooks is one thing. Understanding how people actually speak with their friends is something else entirely. Everyday conversation is full of slang, shortened expressions, and words whose meanings change depending on the situation. In this episode, guest co-host Scoey and I talked about some of the Japanese slang that confused us when we first arrived, how we gradually learned to use it, and what these expressions reveal about everyday communication in Japan. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Slang Changes the Way People Communicate One of the first things many Japanese learners notice is that everyday conversations often sound very different from what they studied in class. We discussed expressions such as yabai , maji , uzai , and bimyō , all of which ca...