Misha Janette: Japan's new greeting 'Isogashii?' is a social booby trap

I always had it in mind that the default greeting when meeting someone [in Japan] was always to be ?Ogenki desuka?? (How are you?).

This phrase is neither overly intrusive nor assuming, and while it fails on originality points, it at least gives either party the chance to expound upon the conversation or leave it to die.

But living and working in Tokyo for seven years, I find that I am getting dished -- and increasingly dishing out -- a rather loathsome greeting that Tokyoites tend to favor: That is, ?Isogashii?? (Are you busy lately?).

Being in a mega-metropolis and financial powerhouse constantly in flux, Tokyoites cannot be blamed for being slammed with work to do.

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Source: http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/life/tell-me-about-it/damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-dont-truth-behind-being-isogashii-547696

Georgianna Robertson Georgina Grenville Gina Carano Gina Gershon Gina Philips