Originally Posted by
robyng
Guess I've been lucky. Never a bad experience. And it is perhaps possible that your Japanese is better than my husband's (he's ok - but nothing to write home about - my Japanese is non-existent).
Also - I like to explore topics other than dining. Like health care systems in different countries (more important when you get to be old like we are). And what people think about their current governments/economic policies/etc. I can't say that the people we get together with are always typical - but it's refreshing getting out of the our "hotel cocoons". We've thought of spending an extended period of time (like a month or two) outside the US. But it really isn't practical at our age. Our health insurance won't travel with us. And - in a couple of years (age 70) we apparently won't even be able to buy travel health insurance for small trips outside the US. Robyn
I do not speak Japanese. It could well be that our interpretations of competency and fluency vary wildly and my Japanese is indeed better than your husband's. That doesn't change the fact that I do not speak Japanese.
I am glad you have expounded on your previous comment which was suggesting that one should pay for someone's company so that they can merely translate for 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."
Originally Posted by
robyng
Guess I've been lucky. Never a bad experience.
From your point of view, no. But there is no way of knowing how your companions felt.