Originally Posted by
robyng
Since I live in Florida - this is obviously not a self-serving recommendation on my part
.
Some people in the United States always like to say that people in this country or that country really speak English - but don't care to (and they hide their ability to speak English). Whether or not that is true in other countries - in Japan - the truth is that English is hard to come by at many restaurants. And having someone with you who speaks fluent Japanese can turn a questionable or confounding experience into a fun one. We've invited people on this and our last trip to dine with us - as our guests. And haven't been disappointed. My only regret on this trip was that we were weren't able to get together with people at dinner due to our jet lag.
I've always thought it's a better than fair deal. We will treat you to a meal - and you can translate for us. Win - win
. Plus you get to meet some really interesting people too. And talk with them about lots of things. I've learned a great deal about Japan (and other countries) getting together with people on this basis (and I thank them very much for helping me to learn about their countries). Robyn
This doesn't work for everybody, nor does it work for everywhere.
My own experiences as a non-Japanese speaker with going to restaurants in Tokyo both on my own and with those fluent in Japanese is so varied that there is no binary result.
Depending on the restaurant and the personalities of those involved a non Japanese speaker might have a much more enlightening and entertaining visit than one who visits with a fluent speaker. In many instances the Japanese companion will be the one relied on to supply the visitor with information and the vistor's questions, once translated into Japanese, might seem a bit naive and idiotic, which potentially makes it embarrassing for the Japanese companion who might be expected to know the answer for her/himself. Visiting by yourself, without a supposed interpreter, frees you to make a few mistakes and also frees the restaurant staff to show their own hospitality to you. And that's when it can get really fun. Or, there's the possibility that an English speaking diner might approach you, and that sort of experience could lead absolutely anywhere...
If you know a Japanese person and would like to dine with them do it for the sake of their company and see where they are comfortable going with you. Picking your own restaurant and getting someone to go along solely as a way to better appreciate the restaurant's food could wind up being a very uncomfortable experience for at least one if not all of those involved.