otsukaresama desu

it's time for a lesson in japanese language and culture, my darlings!

one of the first phrases i learned in japan last year was "otsukaresama desu." there is no exact/proper translation, but here are some of the basic ones i've gleaned:

- you must be tired
- thank you for working hard
- life is honorably tiring
- good job

it's a very common phrase, one that i use countless times per day. it's how teachers greet each other in the hallways and how to say goodbye when teachers leave. it can be applied in a variety of situations -- at sports matches, after lifting a heavy box, after singing a song well, or accomplishing virtually any task.

it's also used in totally hilariously, at least in my opinion. my favorites are when it's used by people in service to customers. for example, after taking a long bus ride, the driver says to everyone, "otsukaresama desu." or when i hand the train station worker my ticket, and he says it. or that time after i got a massage.

it's like, yeah, you know what? i DID do a good job of sitting there! thanks for noticing!

okay, lesson over. i literally have nothing to report because school has been very slow, and my life is similarly very uneventful at the moment, haha. on the plus side, the cicadas are gone, the mornings are cooler, and it's almost lunchtime here in the office. pip pip, jolly-o, i'm off!

honorably tired,
riri