Canadian living in Meguro for 5 years here. I feel like my entire Japanese vocabulary is just built on a foundation of public embarrassment at this point.
I think I might have been over a year deep into living here when I was ordering food. The staff asked me what size rice I wanted, rapidly firing off the words for 小 (small)、中 (medium)、and 大 (large). I just completely froze. I had to awkwardly turn to my friend in an absolute panic, "What did they just ask me?!" while the staff member just stood there staring at us.
When my friend explained, I felt so stupid, I instantly learned it, and am reminded about it constantly when I see it.
What was your ultimate "I can't believe I didn't know that" moment?
by StillStudyingTokyo