embarrassing
- Japan
- (Aeon • business • coming soon • embarrassing • new open • Okinawa • spelling • translation mistakes • Vanew)
Ibaraki Prefecture marketing chief regarding their capital city: “Mito sucks! Die!”
-
Master Blaster
Jan 14, 2019
Thoughtful message on Starbucks cup saves customer from a day of embarrassment
-
KK Miller
Feb 24, 2016
They’ll butcher the spelling of your name, and their drinks might not be especially good for you, but Japanese Starbucks employees have got your back…and your front.
- Japan
- (act of kindness • coffee • embarrassing • Starbucks • tea)
Language fail: 22 funny and embarrassing tales of Japanese language missteps
-
Philip Kendall
Jun 11, 2015
They say that one of the main reasons so few Japanese people master the English language is because they’re worried about making mistakes or embarrassing themselves. While we do wish more Japanese would break out their English a little more often (get a couple of drinks into your coworkers and you’ll be amazed at how much English they actually know), at the same time we can’t really blame them for being reluctant to speak, because learning a second language as an adult can be tough.
After all, when our words fail us, it can not only result in confusion, but very often shock, laughter, and even anger. Just ask the kind folks who were good enough to share with us their most awkward and memorable mistakes made when speaking – or rather trying to speak – Japanese.
Join us after the jump for 22 tales of language mishaps. Oh, and maybe make some notes while you do so that none of these ever happen to you!
- Japan
- (embarrassing • fail • funny stories • Japanese • language)
How would you celebrate your child’s sweet sixteenth? A low-key dinner with close family? A big bash for them and all their friends? Or perhaps plastering their face across billboards all over town? One Chinese father decided to go for the latter option…
- China
- (Birthday • embarrassing • posters • sweet sixteen)
Man’s rejected proposal goes viral as he tries to turn a ‘no’ into a ‘yes’【Photos】
-
KK Miller
Oct 8, 2014
A marriage proposal is supposed to be a special personal thing, it’s the chance to ask your significant other if they will be with you until the end. You want to make it an intimate and unique occasion, and do we have to mention again, personal. But with the advent of the Internet, more and more marriage proposals are going public as everyone tries to show how clever they are.
For as many amazing proposals there are nowadays, there should be an equal number of heartbreaking rejections out there. You probably don’t see many of them because no one wants to publish their failure online, especially after your heart was just put through a giant wringer. Unfortunately, if you propose in public, you don’t have a choice to share your moment or not, since any random bystander can take pictures of you popping the question. And as you will see, sometimes the results aren’t pretty.
These days, it’s not a rare sight to see people playing games on their mobile devices while riding the train or waiting for a bus, or even sneaking in a round or two at work when no one’s looking. It’s understandable that sometimes a worker might need a breather, and a few quick minutes crushing candies, battling monsters, or “farming” on the smartphone could be a great stress reliever. But guess what happens when the whole office is engrossed in games? Somebody shits in their pants.
Or at least that’s what happened at the Liquan County Public Office in Shaanxi Province, China. For real.
- China
- (couple • embarrassing • marriage • mobile games • poor service)
43-Year-Old Taiwanese Man Arrested for Stealing Box of Condoms, Booooooy Are His Parents Gonna Be Mad
-
Master Blaster
May 15, 2013
It’s a familiar coming-of-age scenario for many a young man. Things with the girlfriend are progressing well and it’s time to round third into the home plate. However, there are still condoms to get. How do you confront the judgmental gaze of the minimum wage cashier who in reality couldn’t care less what you’re up to?
One young Taiwanese lad at the tender age of 43 faced with this dilemma opted to steal a box of condoms rather than deal with the awkwardness of buying them legally, and as such has become international news.
- Taiwan
- (condom • crime • embarrassing)
-
Recent Posts
- Starbucks Japan unveils new Halloween goods with secret glow-in-the-dark details
- Starbucks Japan releases new Halloween Frappuccino for 2026, inspired by a cat in a mystery forest
- Wendy’s Japan goes big with new limited-edition Mega Wendy’s, but is it worth the calories?
- Tokyo no-map-app walk! Getting lost with Mr. Sato on the way to Kishimojin
- Yogurt and Japanese koji fungus is Japan’s latest food trend, but how does it taste? [Taste test]
MOST POPULAR
Today
Osaka man arrested for running little pet shop of horrors with dangerous crocodile
Starbucks Japan releases new Halloween Frappuccino for 2026, inspired by a cat in a mystery forest
Krispy Kreme Japan gets extra-local with adorable new Hokkaido snow fairy donuts
Wendy’s Japan goes big with new limited-edition Mega Wendy’s, but is it worth the calories?
Make-your-own-Totoro plushie workshop event coming to Ghibli Park park this fall
Tokyo no-map-app walk! Getting lost with Mr. Sato on the way to Kishimojin
Starbucks Japan unveils new Halloween goods with secret glow-in-the-dark details
Yogurt and Japanese koji fungus is Japan’s latest food trend, but how does it taste? [Taste test]
Japan now has facial-recognition ticket gates, but why aren’t people using them?
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Weekly
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]
Japan’s first-ever conveyor-belt Sushi Bus announces Tokyo tour start date, reservations now open
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Foreign tourists get free Shinkansen tickets in Japan, and here’s how to claim them
Starbucks Japan says sayonara to the Filone for new sandwiches and a Pumpkin Soupuccino
Toys R Us is leaving Japan after 35 years in the country
Casio collaborates with a Kyoto foil master for a luxurious one million yen G-SHOCK
Make-your-own-Totoro plushie workshop event coming to Ghibli Park park this fall
Foreign tourist numbers drop in Osaka, despite record-setting highs from U.S. and Korea
Monthly
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goods
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]
Lady Gaga and Family Mart team up for a Japanese convenience store work video [Video]
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
Studio Ghibli releases new onigiri rice ball-shaped lunch bag for Kiki’s Delivery Service fans
Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
How to watch Studio Ghibli’s new anime in Japan, with a special after-dark outdoor screening for Halloween
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Tokyo no-map-app walk! Getting lost with Mr. Sato on the way to Kishimojin
Starbucks Japan unveils new Halloween goods with secret glow-in-the-dark details
Yogurt and Japanese koji fungus is Japan’s latest food trend, but how does it taste? [Taste test]
Japan now has facial-recognition ticket gates, but why aren’t people using them?
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
One of Japan’s best convenience store egg sandwiches is one you won’t find at the big three chains
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Nissin takes the lid off its first-ever Cup Noodle Point Program for you to win fun prizes
Sendai Bank gifts babies their weight at birth in money upon opening a new bank account
Viral Yokohama cafe tops teas with mini teapots with a clever smoldering secret [Photos]
McDonald’s Japan officially changes its mascot’s name…to Ronald McDonald
Japanese food hack says to soak your grapes in carbonated water, but is the fizz worth the buzz?
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]
Foreign tourist numbers drop in Osaka, despite record-setting highs from U.S. and Korea
-
Categories
Archives








Korean basketball commentator’s sudden nosebleed draws laughter, admiration 【Video】
Dec 12, 2018
Despite copious amounts of blood flowing, both men carry on with the job at hand.
Read More