Go animalistic!
By solxee
@sol_cee (38223)
Philippines
June 12, 2017 3:05am CST
My Japanese coworkers have several business functions outside the office. They come and go anytime of the day, so to speak. One of them, who is more confident to use her English skills, always says the usual ‘See you later’ instead of the polite Japanese phrase. I taught her how to say ‘See you later, alligator’ to lighten up the mood. She perfected it in no time and since then, leaves me a crisp ‘See you later, alligator’ every morning before she walks out of the office with a bouncing gait. When I thought she’s ripe for another expression, I taught her how to use ‘See you in a while, crocodile’ to which she warmed up instantly. I guess she found her purpose in life and that is to use these expressions with me, depending on her mood. This morning though, something happened. With a confident smile, she bid goodbye to everyone and said, ‘See you, alligator!’ Then there was awkward silence.
Lol
Photo is from Google
27 people like this
29 responses
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
12 Jun 17
what is the traditional japanese phrase? does it translate to goodbye or see you later?
3 people like this
@AliCanary (3045)
•
21 Jul 17
You can say "ato de", which means "later", but I think that's pretty informal, not necessarily appropriate for a business setting.
1 person likes this
you are such a funny teacher
@rebelann (111164)
• El Paso, Texas
12 Jun 17
Dad always said "After while crocodile" ....... hmmm, seeing it written I can tell it makes no sense. Hey, what can I say, dad was a texan.
In HS I had a friend whose mom was Japanese. This lady never could pronounce the Rs and no matter how hard Koko tried to teach her to pronounce it she just could not.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111164)
• El Paso, Texas
13 Jun 17
I wish I had thought of that @sol_cee I knew a lot of kids who were half Japanese when I was in school and all their mom's had the same problem. Come to think of it they only spoke English IF they had to which was usually when their hubbies were home.1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45157)
• Philippines
12 Jun 17
Well she should change her of always saying that, that's not good always.
2 people like this
@YouKnowWho (324)
• Philippines
12 Jun 17
Nothing's wrong with the phrases actually. It's just using the fun side.
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
12 Jun 17
You have all become alligators? What are you drinking? What is the polite Japanese phrase?1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
13 Jun 17
@sol_cee Yes, there's alligators and crocodiles all around us.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
3 Jul 17
Haha that's so funny! I wonder what would've happened if you had replied "Okay, crocodile!" afterwards
1 person likes this
@just4him (306137)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
13 Jun 17
@Lupita234 I think it's common everywhere. I've heard it all my life.
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
20 Jun 17
is there really an alligator there? why not teach her, " saying goodbye is so hard, lizard". heheh! just kidding.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
13 Jun 17
In a while crocodile...Now you need to teach the response to the rest in the swamp
1 person likes this
@rachz_kisses (3798)
• Philippines
13 Jun 17
Hahaha the last part kept me laughing. 
1 person likes this
@manasamanu (3746)
• Bangalore, India
12 Jun 17
Doesn't that feel awkward when she says it everytime.
1 person likes this
@sol_cee (38223)
• Philippines
14 Jun 17
@manasamanu depends on your idea of 'good'. :)
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
12 Jun 17
You should teach her some 'light' curse words. That would be so much fun.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (3045)
•
21 Jul 17
Oops! Well, awkward silence is a pretty common occurance in Japanese culture, lol
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
29 Jun 17
Oh dear. That is fun though, that she could learn some fun expressions
1 person likes this
