NOTIFICATION SQUAD: Three horror stories in equal measure. But which was the worst mistake of all? You decide. And if you want more of these story time videos guys let me know - hit the like button! That’s often the main way we work out if people like the content or not.

@reecehickey7455

11 ай бұрын

Defiantly the sushi mistake, mr. broad.

@TheKewlPerson

11 ай бұрын

Maybe the language mistake? Idk haven't had time to watch the video yet but also want to still comment early so my reply's not hidden lol

@XYXYZ

11 ай бұрын

the language barrier story was hilarious!

@PONO-go3ee

11 ай бұрын

Ahh YouOrder a Big Chimpo

@AirTMZ

11 ай бұрын

The barrier issue was funny, but the sushi story must have been REALLY embarrassing

Ken Watanabe asserting his dominance by calling Chris' BS is one of the funniest things I've heard on the channel hahaha

@cancerino666

11 ай бұрын

I hope he ended up explaining to Ken why he lied.

@Vagabond820

11 ай бұрын

@@cancerino666 me too

@M______M

11 ай бұрын

@@cancerino666 well, he just did in the video. :)

@philtkaswahl2124

11 ай бұрын

Chris needs a shirt saying "I Got Rumbled by Ken Watanabe."

@Emperorerror

11 ай бұрын

I can't believe he literally caught it on camera lmao

I'm somewhat convinced that the chef was purposely feeding you the worst things on the menu just to see how far he can push a foreigner 😂

@Kumimono

11 ай бұрын

That's the true, Gaijin Smash. :p

@superboobs890

11 ай бұрын

A lot of people like the food he ate. Personally I think Geoduck is delicious.

@Pehmokettu

11 ай бұрын

In many countries there are traditional foods that many local people love but they know that foreigners probably hate it. But they feed that to tourists anyway to see their reaction. Here in Finland those disgusting traditional foods are mämmi (an Easter dessert that is made from malted rye and it looks like poo) and salmiac (a black licorice candy that has ammonium chloride in it, different tasting salt than the regular table salt sodium chloride). I hate mämmi but I love salmiac. 😊

@takayamuramoto4490

11 ай бұрын

@@Pehmokettu salmiac is very popular, at least in germany.

@Leilani91

11 ай бұрын

Mirugai & akagai are some of my favorite sushi, but tbf I grew up eating it, although my dad didn't tell me what it was for years & then when he told me, it was already too late, I didn't care.

Worst I've done in Japan is calling my Japanese host family mum - "mama-san". I was explained that "mama-san" is actually a term they use for mistreses in brothels 😮 It was the honest mistake all was good, the only one bothered at the end was ME since they let me call her that for like 2 weeks 😅

@rashelflores6712

11 ай бұрын

that is hilarious haha

@resolutelament

11 ай бұрын

LOL

@spritemoney

11 ай бұрын

What's the proper term to use?

@nigsbalchin226

11 ай бұрын

Indeed, sometimes having your weaknesses tolerated can turn out to be a burden! 🤣

@user-tt5xj5ib1e

11 ай бұрын

Thank you I needed that laugh today :) 🤣🤣🤣

I think the Genkin and Genki mix up is the funniest to me. Just imagine, you're having a great day, nothing can mess it up. Your wife packed you your favorite bento for lunch. Then some English bro rolls in, screws up the toll and when you try to fix it and ask him for money he goes "I'm good" and speeds off. Dude was probably destroyed for the rest of the day

@vokay

5 ай бұрын

Absolute king behavior

@gsingh5402

Ай бұрын

This is how nihangs act in punjab

@pangkouxiong1244

25 күн бұрын

Yo he probably hated foreigners for that.. 😅😅

I got second-hand embarrassment from watching this, that was some excellent storytelling

@CJT3X

11 ай бұрын

I don’t, it makes no sense to assume someone’s abilities just because of how long they live somewhere.

@xodox2505

11 ай бұрын

​@@CJT3X it kinda does where in a country english isn't used that much and your forced to learn Japanese

@barbievale

11 ай бұрын

What do you mean??

@barbs8851

10 ай бұрын

​@@barbievale It's called empathy.

@miyoshimoore7417

16 күн бұрын

😂😂😂😂😅😅😅second hand embarrassment

I love that Ken Watanabe obviously knew the lie from the get-go and just sat on that for days, just waiting for the optimum moment to call you out with it. 😂

@bshthrasher

11 ай бұрын

Can't hide an awl in a sack. The truth will always show up)

I was invited to someone's house in Japan, along with a few other people, and took interest in a book he had about Japanese slang language. After a while I found a chapter titled "Japanese Penises", started laughing, and haphazardly showed it to the girl sitting next to me, expecting her to find it funny as well. Then I started reading the chapter, and the first paragraph started by making it absolutely clear that this is a highly taboo topic in Japan, and that people will be extremely embarrased if you bring it up, going as far as claiming that they don't have a word for it if you ask "What's 'penis' in Japanese?" I went from laughing to realizing that I had royally fucked up in about 20 seconds.

@sunahamanagai9039

11 ай бұрын

I would say it's taboo in other countries, too. Not an everyday conversation unless between good friends or appropriate circumstances.

@vanshudapure6744

11 ай бұрын

Can you name that book?

@vyse19861

11 ай бұрын

@@vanshudapure6744 Honestly I don't remember, but there's a book called "Dirty Japanese" by Matt Fargo which might have been it.

@JB-xl2jc

11 ай бұрын

How did she react? Was it brought up?

@vyse19861

11 ай бұрын

@@JB-xl2jc She acknowledged it with a very dismissive "yeah..." and went back to ignoring me. So there wasn't any fallout and it was never brought up again. I may have destroyed one of that guy's friendships by being a Gaijin, but that was a different day and with a different person. ^^;

I would legitimately cry after that first encounter. The stress from blocking other people going on their way, then realizing I didn't pay would just be too much lmao

@QCLagstone

11 ай бұрын

That is because you are weak.

@tor279

11 ай бұрын

LMAO rightt woulda bought a plane ticket and moved right back home 😭😭

@canihavethesauce

11 ай бұрын

if you'd have a breakdown because of a misunderstanding, you shouldn't be on the road.

@s_oba

10 ай бұрын

@@canihavethesauce Misunderstanding?

@kleenexbox974

10 ай бұрын

I deadass woulda jus up and left the country

That first story was great 🤣 “cash?” “I’m great!”

@rrf3f9x7a1g2

11 ай бұрын

Seriously he could've gotten arrested😂

@eisenklad

11 ай бұрын

@@rrf3f9x7a1g2 imagine Chris paying interest on that 50dollars totaling like 3000 because the admin and late fees also add to the interest.

@hcc9969

11 ай бұрын

😂

@ryanruizvargas2517

11 ай бұрын

He literally just said "nah I'm good." And went away.

@kwedl

11 ай бұрын

"Double it and give it to the next person"

This video was an emotional rollercoaster. From the embarrassment of unintentionally screwing over a toll worker because of poor Japanese knowledge, to feeling the need to gag just from hearing what you had to eat whilst being watched by a chef with a bloody katana to the unimaginable shame of lying to Ken mfing Watanabe... truly one of the videos of all time Chris.

@melissadunton3534

11 ай бұрын

Yes, it is one of the videos. 😅😂

I 100% believe that Ken did that in a way to express that he thought your japanese was absolutely fine, sort of a "Come on dude, don't lie about it. It's fine. Tell him it's 10 years." That's why he, after that, focused more on japanese conversations rather than english. I've had some people do stuff like this with me, firm moments of "own who you are" and they honestly improved me and my confidence for the better.

@chaytonhurlow840

8 ай бұрын

Yeah, a while back I started a job. I was nervous, and I was getting overwhelmed. The manager told me to stop acting like I didn't know what I was doing. Seemed slightly rude, But that made me relax a bit.

@Mvn06

6 ай бұрын

This is the true comment

@Lubsana86

4 ай бұрын

I think it's more like in Japan someone always introduces you to someone, so when they reach out to him about this project and told him who Chris is and what he does, they most definitely mentioned how long he has been in Japan. That is why you can see his facial expressions and surprise when initially he got a reply 5-6 years. The public image is everything in Japan, so before you agree or associate with anyone, people and figures, the calible of Ken Watanabe or his team, are definitely doing extensive background checks, like 100%

My Japanese in-laws ran a bath for me in their house during New Year a few years ago, piping hot with Yuzu lemons freshly picked from their garden. A good long soak, a few cheeky farts, and a good scrub later, I pulled the plug, dried myself and went to the living room to thank my in-laws. With a beaming smile, I said "arigatou", as the last remnants of the water gurgled loudly down the drain. Little did I know that the water was supposed to have been saved for everyone to use, and that they had allowed me to bath in it first as a mark of respect. Ooops.

@jameswilkes451

8 ай бұрын

Reminds me of when I was younger, my father used to always share the bathwater with me too. My less working class friends always considered it strange XD

@mamihashimoto1429

8 ай бұрын

Did you soak in the bath before scrubbing and cleaning yourself first? In Japan, you should scrub and clean yourself entirely with soap and wash your hair before you soak in the tub.

@JeffTiberend

3 ай бұрын

That would be hard. I could imagine doing that myself. But, I knew that you're supposed to bathe before going into the bath.

@robinreliant8888

3 ай бұрын

@@mamihashimoto1429 I didn’t occur to me to wash before getting into the bath….

I have never felt so much empathy with a toll guy. 😂

@msjsr9364

11 ай бұрын

I think the toll guy was probably just happy to have the problem sorted, his job is to keep traffic flowing. I've done this sort of thing before. Our superiors always tell us it's more important to keep things moving than to ensure everyone pays their way. He probably didn't think twice about it.

@Da_wn_Light

11 ай бұрын

@@msjsr9364 Chris just fucked off down the highway 😭

@philosophy_bot4171

11 ай бұрын

Beep bop... I'm the Philosophy Bot. Here, have a quote: "As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being" ~ Carl Jung

It's never too late to learn a new language, including Japanese.

@bshthrasher

11 ай бұрын

Looking into the evening sky on the horizon, Robinson Crusoe felt his virginity slowly returning to him.

@WreckItRolfe

8 ай бұрын

I don't think my brain is cut out for it.

@ketchup901

8 ай бұрын

​@@WreckItRolfe The dichotomy of saying this in a human language that you learned.

@nzgamer1797

7 ай бұрын

I'd love to! I've already learned Hiragana and now I'm learning Katakana!

One of your greatest strengths as a content creator/film maker is your amazing ability to tell a story. This video was superbly entertaining from beginning to end. Thanks for all the amazing content troughout the years, Chris

@matthewlawton9241

8 ай бұрын

The music choice, too, particularly during the geoduck part of the story....-chef's kiss-

Chris I think that Ken is honestly trying to help you improve your Japanese skills through conversational Japanese.

Honestly I think if you told Ken Watanabe that you have lived in Japan for 10 years, but aren't good at Japanese, he would have understood, because being insecure about your language skills is probably one of the most Japanese things ever.

@jonah2027

11 ай бұрын

No shit... that's the whole point of it being in the video

@diablomom

11 ай бұрын

Jonah is a geoduck

@kevinlawrence8588

10 ай бұрын

No doubt - humility seems to be an admired trait there

@inoscopedjfk8207

9 ай бұрын

​@@kevinlawrence8588Humility is an admirable trait in most places

@ScottMcMaster-er4xj

9 ай бұрын

Absolutely. Being humble about your ability is very Japanese. This is always how I approached it. The phrase: "-------- 年間ぐらいです、けどまだ私の日本語がまだ苦手です。 (------- nen kan gurai desu, kedo watashi no nihongo ga mada nigate desu, / Around ----- years, but still my Japanese is not skillful.)” is so useful. And if anyone says to you "日本語が上手ですね。/ nihongo ga jyouzu desu ne", you should immediately respond "いいえ、まだまだです。/ Iie, mada mada desu / No, not yet". They will be amused by that response, because its so thoroughly Japanese, and you will get an approving smile from them. You will have impressed them with your humility.　Chris this advice is for you. Use these phrases next time. Japanese love humbleness about one's ability. You will endear yourself to people by presenting yourself this way.

I think I would self-combust if I had gotten caught on a lie by Ken Watanabe like that.

@northwanderer800

11 ай бұрын

i would have said ken ive been here 10 years but have stopped studying so im asham,ed at my japanese level but ill try my best and he prob would have been like no worries lad, try your best .. but im not the epic man that is chris broad and i wasn't in that situation so ill shut my face now

@silverhawkroman

11 ай бұрын

At least it wasn't doing some stupid Yakuza cosplay and interviewing a real one 😂😂😂

@nathanlonghair

11 ай бұрын

I almost self-combusted just LISTENING to it 😭

@silviastanziola659

11 ай бұрын

@@silverhawkroman Who did that??

@Vald3x

11 ай бұрын

@@silviastanziola659 TheAnimeMan.

You know Chris, my respect for you actually skyrocketed after watching this. The level of horror you felt after realizing the genkin vs genki misunderstanding and making up for it by donating to the earthquake fundraiser, to sacrificing yourself to remain polite and respectful to the sushi chef, as embarrassing as the outcomes were, it still showed how much you care. And most of all, your retelling of your time with Ken Watanabe was so brilliantly explained. I really relate to the fear of Japanese people overestimating my speaking ability that even though I can speak it on a conversational level, I always intro myself by saying i can’t speak it. Anyways, the fact that you were able to include the clips from your most cringe moments, and add the blushing effect, and show it multiple times, you’ve got real cojones my dude. I could never do that, like as soon as my most cringe and regrettable moments come into my thoughts i react quite strongly and get rid of them immediately. Thanks for putting yourself out there like that, i hope more people can gain the courage to show their most human sides, it’s what makes them most relatable. Major props to you 🙏

The best part is that after being caught out by Ken Watanabe, in the background at 27:56 the kanji reads "許されざる者", in other words "The Unforgiven!" You will never be forgiven for lying to the almighty Watanabe.

That toll incident would literally haunt me 😂 such an innocent mistake but the guilt you’d feel.. damn (love that he donated it to charity🙏🏻)

@MrVvulf

11 ай бұрын

I'd be mortified that the toll employee paid out of his own pocket to avoid paperwork. I'd have been compelled to ask a Japanese friend to help me get to the bottom of it and makes things right.

@TheAxeMan301

11 ай бұрын

We have a similar cashless system here in California. But here if you don't have the pass the system just reads your license plate and bills you later - if you are in a rental it usually gets added to your rental bill.

@definitlynotbenlente7671

11 ай бұрын

​@@TheAxeMan301 in europe you can pay with credid or debit card or cash at the same exit

@nyaqua

11 ай бұрын

Yeah I was just thinking how I'd probably go back there after realizing and try to explain mistake I made and pay properly :D

@Tyler_Wildman

11 ай бұрын

Not just the driving off without paying but just being stuck there without being able to move, I’d have been flapping like an old flange.

I don’t know man, being bodied by Ken Watanabe from across the room sounds like a highlight to me. The man knows enough about you to call you out, that’s a life goal right there 😂

@hedera1332

11 ай бұрын

Also the fact that you know he was eavesdropping on your convo with somebody else 😂

@SuileanAirgid

11 ай бұрын

@@hedera1332 Right? Goals indeed :)

The sushi story reminds me of the time I went to Hakodate morning fish market the first year I lived in Japan and wasn't yet used to all raw delights. My friend ordered us each a mixed sashimi bowl and while she "mmm"d and "yum"d, I pushed the food into my mouth with the mental mantra, "Just eat it; don't think about it." That was 30 years ago and now I'll eat pretty much anything.

@ProjectEnglishII

11 ай бұрын

I've also been here 30 years and my Japanese is still sh*t.

Can't stop laughing at the term "farmyard slop bucket".

I applaud you Chris. Such a simple and straightforward video idea, yet the cinematography makes the scenarios look so immersive. Especially the highway incident, it's like I was REALLY THEREEEEEE wooooo

@philosophy_bot4171

11 ай бұрын

Beep bop... I'm the Philosophy Bot. Here, have a quote: "Whosoever is delighted in solitude is either a wild beast or a god" ~ Aristotle

The language learning thing is completely normal. In the beginning you study hard to be able to communicate with other people without too many problems. Once you've achieved that, diminishing returns mean it's incredibly difficult to stay motivated to keep learning and take it further.

I love the stories told here. Embarrassing mistakes are so relatable and it’s nice to hear someone else’s 😂

Lying must have felt the worst. Toll and food story is something that can happen to anyone but lying to your hero and being caught red handed must have felt million times worse

Nice to see more content regarding your experiences/anecdotes. Thanks for the content, mate!

@AbroadinJapan

11 ай бұрын

It's been a while! Always fun to return to the well of awful memories.

@ZeusWagner

11 ай бұрын

@@AbroadinJapan 😅👍

@HeliosDharakSennkohcoola

11 ай бұрын

​@@AbroadinJapan lying to Ken was your biggest mistake as you should always be truthful to someone that you admire.

@jambo2685

11 ай бұрын

@@AbroadinJapan mate... the sushi story was pretty grim. I felt bad for you. The Watanabe one... hmmm... respectfully, I think your pride and understandable nerves got in the way of you simply explaining to Ken that your Japanese was limited. Either way, I really enjoyed this video and hope you do more like this one.

@notmuch_23

11 ай бұрын

@@AbroadinJapan I bet if that well was actually dug in real life, its depth would make the Russian attempt at digging the world's deepest hole seem like a footprint. I bet it would actually bore into the outer core!

The second story is why I usually go for B-kyuu gourmet when I am in Japan. Twice I have been to Sushi places where you sit by the counter (not by any means high end places, but really good tasting Sushi) and it's indeed a bit stressful having the chef staring at you and waiting for your next order. I played it safe both times and stuck to tuna. The conveyor belt sushi is way more relaxing for the average gaijin I think haha.

The cook at the fancy restaurant was either really nice that he wanted you to taste new things, or really sadistic knowing a gaijin will struggle with the texture of certain dishes 😂

The sushi incident is something I would see myself doing, not because I would be bold, but because of my sheer ignorance and wanting to be nice to everyone. Honestly just thinking of how he struggled to chow down the geoduck I think I would immediately gag and puke on the bar. Oh and the snail in the coffin was absolutely hilarious!

@JesterPrince

11 ай бұрын

Yeah, if there's something absolutly gross in my mouth, my throat pulls the doors shut. That thing won't go down and if it does, it will be on the plate in no time. If I get ugly looks or viewed as a cunt saying I don't like something, then allergy card it is. 🥶

I think you’re being hard on yourself for the 3rd one. I’m sure Ken understood the situation even by finding out everything. When you don’t practice your second/third language much, it’s quite hard to keep up. Plus, focusing on your KZread channel these past years and to a _broader_ audience (bad joke), it was inevitable that English was to be used. Keep it up Chris. ⭐️

@cyan_oxy6734

11 ай бұрын

I mean not practicing the language much when you live there is different than forgetting the latin you learned in school and never use afterwards.

@JoaoPessoa86

11 ай бұрын

Hell, with lack of practice even your first language can get rusty

@nutleyoleo

11 ай бұрын

​@@cyan_oxy6734 agreed. I've long suspected Chris doesn't speak much Japanese and to hear it confirmed is a bummer, tbh. If I lived in a foreign country, I'd be heavily focused on improving my grasp on their language, _especially_ if I'd spent a decade there, during which I taught English and ran a famous YT channel dedicated to their culture. I'd be embarrassed to even _visit_ Japan a with just the limited Japanese I know. The idea of living there for a decade and not improving would be mortifying for me, _especially_ with how important precise/polite communication is to them I guess if you're an expat that doesn't work for a Japanese company, it's easier just to surround yourself with a bubble of other English-speaking expats

@jtsh

11 ай бұрын

I disagree... that's a great joke.

@arandombard1197

11 ай бұрын

@@nutleyoleo But you don't live in a foreign country so you don't know what it's like. It can be hard to connect with locals and you often end up connecting with other expats who are feeling similarly out of place. Then you gradually form that bubble and from that point onwards, you have to deal with all your life problems and when it comes to socializing, you just take the path of least resistance which is hanging out with your english speaking friends.

I am in hospital in Gifu prefecture. Just got my gallbladder taken out thanks to japans great healthcare. Been feeling pretty crummy but this right here. This video he managed to make me smile and laugh at a time that my lonely, sore bones really needed it. Thanks Chris

I keep thinking about the Ken Watanabe thing and just cringing out of my skin in second-hand embarassment. Takes a lot of guts to retell a story like that.

I've not laughed that hard in a while hearing about that toll booth situation. Thanks for sharing that gem Chris 😂

These videos are coming at a perfect time with the new JET programme members about to move to Japan in the next 2 months :)

@AbroadinJapan

11 ай бұрын

Hopefully they can learn from my many mistakes 😅

@marcusmcgowan844

11 ай бұрын

Yea I'm moving to Nagasaki on August 6 for JET and wishing I hadn't stopped my study for a year. I forgot so much!

@feiryfella

11 ай бұрын

A good friend of mine did it at the end of 2019...poor bugger! He just got settled in then Covid!

@rrf3f9x7a1g2

11 ай бұрын

Genkin deska? 😊

@user-ci4jw9ur3c

11 ай бұрын

Yup! I'm moving to Takasaki, Gunma in the beginning of August, really looking forward to it!

Your stories are so relatable!! I traveled to Japan three times now and have experienced some situations where I felt a very similar kind of embarrassment.

Thanks for a bit of self-derrogatory humor and fluent storytelling, Chris. Love your interaction with Ken Watanabe - who is NOT scary which is why he got scary at you (but I understand wobbling a bit in the face of one's hero). The spinning coin shot of that episode is precious🍀

I went to Japan 2 months ago with my family. We had a "GAIJIN SMASH" 2 times since my mom lost her trainticket somehow. Thankfully, on both occasions the guy at the barrier told us that "only today, it's fine".

@jinxedpenguin

11 ай бұрын

I lost my JR pass and had to spend ~150 USD on a new ticket :( The guy was super friendly and tried his hardest to see if I left my ticket anywhere (he called all of the train stations we went to on the way there!) so I mean, it sucked but I was appreciative that he actually tried super hard to find the ticket. Then months later, back home in the US, I found the ticket and pass in a inner pocket in my bag that I somehow overlooked when searching my bag at Tokyo station (probably because I was freaking out). I wish I would've gaijin smashed my way through that one but at the very least I am happy with how hard the JR employee tried to track down my missing ticket.

@forgeryyy

11 ай бұрын

I once bought a one way bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto. I put in in the ticket machine a the entrance but didn't pick it up when it came back out. My Aussie cousin, who is very fluent in Japanese, just told me to gaijin smash it at the Kyoto station

@BeardedNerdSE

11 ай бұрын

@@forgeryyy Me too, on my first arrival I was jetlagged and hungry and confused, and missed the ticket somewhere, so I had to gaijin smash my way through the exit.

@themanyouwanttobe

11 ай бұрын

Is there a UK equivalent to gaijin smash? I forgot my ticket on a train in Belfast and the conductor let me through anyways. I played it off as being a dumb American (I'm Canadian).

@mrbeard7701

11 ай бұрын

I've only been to Japan on layovers on my way to Australia, didn't gaijin smash as far as I was aware, but I was terrified I did on my first trip when the guy at the turnstiles ordered me to stop...turns out, I was overcharged for a train ticket, so he gave me money back.

ANOTHER VIDEO SO SOON?!?! CAN THIS WEEK GET ANY BETTER?!?! LETS GOOOO!!!

Love your opening statement: regret IS a slippery slope! So long as we actually learn from our mistakes. We're only human at the end of the day.

this literally made my day thank you so much! Congrats for the book Chris, very cool!

I think it's hilarious that Chris couldn't imagine that Ken wouldn't have done his research on this guy interviewing him. Also, what boss shit is Ken doing that? I'll give props for Chris for sticking it out. I would have probably climbed into a hole somewhere had he done that to me.

Chris, I really appreciate the way you framed this. As you said, you're not a Mr. Perfect, and you could've just shown that through the three mistakes you listed (which honestly, anyone could've made) but the way you also opened up about your level of speaking Japanese not being where you want it to be, and about feeling embarrassed and ashamed for not studying as dutifully as you couldve felt really personal. I'm sure it wasn't easy to talk about -- kudos to you! It really demonstrates how nobody is perfect, despite how easy it can be to make yourself seem that way on KZread. Very proud

You are a great storyteller, Chris. I can't wait to read your book!

Your storytelling is top notch. I laughed so much during this video... thank you for sharing your agonizing sushi experiences with us.

I was in a business hotel in Sapporo, in the quiet reading/chilling area. Pulled out my phone to browse the web, & I didn't realize I left Instagram open & there was a very loud video of a cat angrily meowing. And in my haste to lower the volume, I accidentally pressed the volume up button instead of volume down. I ended up running out lol everyone was staring at me angrily. 😅

@rovidelarosa

11 ай бұрын

You sure it's a cat video or... you know, pr0n?

@DavidElkind42

11 ай бұрын

@Rovi Dela Rosa it was a cat video lol 😆

It takes a lot of humility to own up to your past mistakes I was dying of laughter at the toll road part when you drove away without paying 🤣 Chris is naturally hilarious and a great storyteller thanks for consistently giving us amazing content! Looking forward to the book release!

Chris I have been following you from my college days since 2017. One thing I have noticed the videos you do alone contains the best dry humour so keep up with this soliloquy kind of vids, we love them.

These are my favourite of your videos, love your humour! Really lifted my spirits, thanks!

First story takeaway: Chris: “You learn Japanese to better understand Japanese people, I learn Japanese to avoid being a criminal, we are not the same.”

"What's the worst thing you've ever done?" "I lied about how long I'd been in Japan." "Well, that doesn't seem that bad..." "It was to Ken Watanabe." "Oh."

The sushi story is genuinely one of my fears about going to a high end sushi place on my first trip to Japan 😬

@HENN3H

11 ай бұрын

My take away is that you should just say your stomach can't handle shellfish

@johanfr

11 ай бұрын

Order ootoro and chuutoro and you're good :D

@matthewlawton9241

8 ай бұрын

Seafood is the reason I couldn't hack it there. I love Japanese culture and language but I am very squeamish about seafood. And here in the US we obviously have a VERY pedestrain seafood culture, by comparison, and even here I'm squeamish so...that's pretty much game over for any ambitions of spending real time in Japan.

@johanfr

8 ай бұрын

I eat very little seafood when I am in Japan. There are plenty of other delicious dishes to choose from (tonkatsu, ramen, curry, yakitori, yakiniku, okonomiyaki, the list goes on) so don't let that stop you! @@matthewlawton9241

@johanfr

8 ай бұрын

Although the okonomiyaki might put you off if you don't like sea flavor, it often has katsuobushi flakes on top (dried fish), but the other ones don't have any seafood flavor.

This is probably my favourite video on the channel, can’t wait to read that book!

That story about the toll got a legitimate "oh no" out of me because I can relate as a Japanese learner. The language has a ton of homophones and nuances that takes time to pick up, rather if you're an avid, or a beginner level. One of the most common phrases you learn in textbooks and such is "genki" so, as a student, you're mind will just automatically think they are asking if you're okay. But the last thing that comes to one's mind is "are they referring to something else" especially in a situation as you have endured at the toll booth.

It’s been a while since it’s been a while since we’ve been to Chris’ ramen shop.

@AbroadinJapan

11 ай бұрын

Welcome home

best video you've done in a while, while I love the travel ones. I really love the stories man. thanks for this.

That Sushi Restaurant incident feels like the worst one to me. I couldn't even fathom the amount of embarrassment I would feel having everyone, only just a few feet away, hear me vomit all the food I had to pretend to like for a good social standing! 😂😂😂

@magamisic5924

11 ай бұрын

id rather just be honest. imo japan just seems to culture lies

@ThreadBomb

11 ай бұрын

@@magamisic5924 If he had just explained earlier that he had been drinking the night before, the chef and the businessman would have been more understanding. Heavy drinking is something that is often required in Japanese business.

@TheCyberMantis

11 ай бұрын

@@ThreadBomb They probably would have had higher respect for him.

@user-ls2uq3pv1h

11 ай бұрын

Why would they have a bathroom so close that everyone can hear what goes on inside while they eat? Ew...

@leetri

11 ай бұрын

@@user-ls2uq3pv1h Because space is a luxury most places in urban Japan can't afford.

This has to be one of the funniest videos ever released on this channel. I was laughing so hard I could barely breathe. Especially during the toll booth story.

@jameswilkes451

8 ай бұрын

@@dionvids Nothing wrong with that. Laughter is the best medicine after all

You have a lot of courage talking about all of these experiences - especially the last one

Love the new video game insert edits visuals/sound effects. Wow. That's a lot of work! 👍

The toll road issue could be solved with cameras in the US they would just capture your license plate on camera and bill you later.

@markiangooley

11 ай бұрын

For a few years here in Florida that’s what happens unless you have a SunPass thingie on your car…

@astrowolvez

11 ай бұрын

That’s what I was expecting! 😂

@mr.johnson8974

11 ай бұрын

This is why we can’t have nice things in the U.S. Japanese people just don’t run off without paying things, they always try to follow the rules in public, including paying at toll gates.

@wyterabitt2149

11 ай бұрын

@@mr.johnson8974 But the "nice" thing in this case would be having it automated, so you don't have to screw around with cash or cards.

@atwdb

11 ай бұрын

That's what I was thinking. If that was the UK you'd probably get a fine in the mail

It takes some real grace to own up to your mistakes with such humility, and real talent to make them into such hilarious stories. Definitely one of my favourite videos on your channel!

Really enjoyable video Chris, great storytelling and visuals

I can’t wait to meet Chris in Japan and run away screaming in terror 😂 That toll gaff has got to be the worst, you still haven’t paid them lol

2:45 the only mistake I can relate to, is the first example. I could feel that nerve-wracking, gut wrenching feeling in the pit of my stomach. Having all those commuters stuck behind you with no way out, getting more upset and tense by the second and every second feeling like an eternity with little to no hope of escape... Thank God the toll way worker came to you when he did. The other 2 I cannot relate to because I've never had a business meeting at a high-end restaurant with an important businessman. Nor have I had the opportunity to interview Ken Watanabe. 😆

I love these videos. I'm always laughing like a madman the whole time because Chris is so relatable.

The Genkin Desu Ka scenario was fucking hilarious and as someone who also moved abroad I’ve had so many similar situations happen to me. Mishearing a word and acting like a complete asshat out of total incompetence.

I feel like that first one is just a nightmare scenario I would never forget and would always find a way to creep into my thoughts at 3 AM. 😣

Shoutouts to the editor making this an incredible experience.

@hedera1332

11 ай бұрын

Chris actually does a lot of the editing himself. Unlike a lot of KZread presenters, it's actually one of his favoured parts of making videos (from what he has said in the past, at least). He did credit some else with helping him this time though, I'm glad he's getting some help with them now so he doesn't burn himself out too much 😅

@PKshockwave

11 ай бұрын

"It's like a magic"

@AbroadinJapan

11 ай бұрын

I edited the road toll and Ken segements, Marcus the sushi segment - hence his wonderful graphics!

@Matteomax

11 ай бұрын

@@AbroadinJapan Special shoutout for the geoduck segment, I've tried it and absolutely refuse to give it another chance.

I literally got goosebumps from merely looking at the stuff the chef fed you, I would never be able to do that. Thanks for the heads up

Love these back to roots style sort of story telling videos

Oh, gosh, no. Those stories hurt me deep down. I wouldn't even want to try listing the many horrors I've had much less making them funny. What a talent, and that's said seriously. And Mr. Watanabe doing his homework, just wow. A big Hollywood star looking up a KZread channel. I would just cry right then and there and drink sake until I am blind...or wish I could....

6 Abroad in Japan videos in a month! Chrismas must’ve come early this year!

You deserve an award for this video. Brilliant and very funny - especially the sushi mistake!

Preordered the book 📖 thank you for all the great videos 🙌

Rofl, the Genki/Genkin story was so hilarious, and beautifully acted! Laughing so hard. I actually thought the story was pretty much done with a minor level of amusement, but then this massive revelation drops and totally changes everything. Hilarious and Comedic Gold!

@snowfish1121

11 ай бұрын

Omg yes! I was wondering why the dude was asking him if he was genki. 😂

Although it's a sore spot for you, it feels good to know that you have to always be working on your Japanese no matter how long you live here. I've been in Japan for 3 years now and I feel so far behind my friends in terms of Japanese ability.

That was quite the intricate way to name drop. And humility was feigned by self-deprecating was

The intro was absolutely funny. Thank you for the vid, Mr Affable

Japan is awesome but when I visited I definitely made some mistakes. Like getting lost or eating somewhere I didn't like. Like for example I go to this Ramen place and they gave me this huge portion when I wanted a tiny one at the end of the day.. I ate like half of it and I felt so bad leaving food on the table, but they laughed and said it was okay. Even with someone who is "adjusted" to Japanese culture , it feels stressful at times to make sure you following the rules.

@kantina4765

11 ай бұрын

Following the rules anywhere is pretty stressful. It just that it sort of becomes background noise in your home country.

I'm seeing a pleasant upgrade in the presentation of these stories. I enjoy the mix of clip-in pngs, custom dialogue boxes and real-life event re-tellings. Fun stuff!

This makes me love Ken Watanabe even more. Great video, Chris, as always! Thank you! 😊🙏🙌👑😎

I respect Ken for calling you out. Don't be insecure or afraid to make mistakes. Take advantage of that leeway they give you before you waste it. Great video, I love this channel. You inspire me to learn languages and cultures.

I love this kind of episode where Chris talks about what's happening behind the scenes. The sense of realness makes me enjoy this episode more.

I was having secondary embarassment watching this. It was so awkward. My compliments to your resilience of character to be able to share these, thank you for turning your discomfort and inexperience into learning experiences. Great video, maintaining the excellence thats a hallmark of this channel.

Great video, funny and also learned something new. Have waited for a "home" Video for quite some time!

takes a lot of courage, man. bravo

Videos like this one where it's just you telling a story are my favorite and the reason I subscribed back in the day! So glad you made another one, it's been a while!

@simonebaker4915

11 ай бұрын

I agree 100%! 😂

Man I freaking love these videos!!!!! Please make more!! 30 minutes just flew by!

Great stories, well told, lots of long words and humorous use of the English vocabulary. Thank You!!!!

Just binged all of the newest series and now another Abroad video let’s go!

Nice to see you use another part of the studio !!

I really like your videos. I think they're interesting and entertaining. Keep up the good work. Living the dream.

Holy shit dude. You had me laughing from the beginning. I'm laughing my ass off at each mistake. But when you get to the point where Watanabe Sama yells from across the room, "10 years! He's been here 10 years!" I can only imagine that deep gutteral drop of your stomach to a bottomless pit feeling you must've had. 🤣🤣🤣I haven't laughed that hard in a while. Thanks!! You made my day😂

I think the second story of the sushi restaurant sounds like the most mortifying. I was in Japan in April and we went to an omakase restaurant in Kyoto. Thankfully it was super delicious and I did not feel ill but yeah, it was unnerving having the chef stand in front of us as we ate, watching us expectantly. It’s not too late to improve your Japanese, especially since you’re still living over there!

Cant wait for the book, already pre-ordered!

Good stories. It's hard to share mistakes and embarrassing things you've done, and with an audience of nearly 3 million people! But the fact that you can reflect on them and share with others as a warning/learning experience is something quite inspiring. Thanks for the great video, Chris!