Point Cards

[Alpo]

I'd like to see a lesson based around the "point card" system.

For those who've ever taken a basic conversational course, then travelled to Japan; those ubiquitous point cards will be a bump in the road the first time or two a cashier brings the subject up.

[markystar]

hmmmm...
interesting. (each store tends to have their own unique system, so.... what kinda stuff should we include about them?

[Alpo]

You're right. Each store has their own. Gamer's will definitely not be happy when you show up w/ an Animate card LOL!

A general scenario around an (unspecified store's) cashier asking a customer if they have a card, would they like a card, etc. Maybe how to gracisouly decline the offer of starting a card, if that seems like a reasonable conclusion to the conversation.

I guess the point is that often times in convesational classes, the lessons are expressed in a "A says this, B replies with that" progression. Almost anything that can cause a deviation from that path is trouble for a person with limited vocabulary, or limited experience under such stressful conditions. It's been my experience that shopping is a big part of most vacations, so lessons centered around those types of topics pique my interest.

Thanks for lending an ear!

[markystar]

for the time being...

i don't know how gracious it is, but a good way to refuse things is 結構です (kekkou desu). "no thanks, i'm fine." be sure to emphasize the す (su) to raise the politeness level.

i'll talk with the writers today and see what we can come up with.