Slipper Slip-up

Episode #57:  Slipper Slip-up

Hello, this is BLT Eigo, brought to you by BLTnetwork.com. I’m your host and English Coach, David Hylton.

It’s important to have a sense of humor when learning another language or culture because, eventually, you’re going to make a mistake that will be very embarrassing. Here’s one of my many embarrassing moments.

In Japan everyone takes off their shoes at the front door, then puts on a pair of slippers.  You wear those slippers everywhere except for two places: the restroom where they have special plastic slippers, and a tatami room.  Tatami is a woven-grass floor.

So one day, I arrived a little late to a friend’s party.  The guests was already sitting around the table in a tatami room. I took off my shoes and put on some soft, fuzzy slippers then asked to use the restroom.  I returned to the tatami room, opened the sliding door and walked in.  Everyone stared at me in silence for a moment then suddenly started laughing.  I knew it! I had forgotten to take off my slippers before walking on the tatami.  I reached down to take off the slippers and suddenly realized they weren’t soft and fuzzy…they were bright red plastic and read, in plain English, “TOILET.”  And there you have it…my “Slipper Slip-up.”

I’d love to hear about your funny slip-ups.   Send me your story and I’ll try to put it in a future episode.  If it’s too embarrassing for you, maybe I’ll change your name.

Thanks for joining this episode of BLT Eigo.  See you next time right here on BLTnetwork.com.  Bye.

Check out the previous episode:  http://eigo.bltnetwork.com/2009/04/08/computer-problems/

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Tags: david hylton, embarrassing episode, English, free English, funny story, Japanese culture, toilet slippers