🇯🇵The XQ Sumimasen Podcast

Japanese Gestures I Learned in Japan | 039

In this episode, I talk about Japanese gestures I learned living in Tokyo, and how their meanings can be completely different from what they look like to Americans. I go through real examples like the back-of-the-hand-to-cheek gesture, the Japanese money sign, pinky finger, palm-down “come here,” pointing to your nose, maru over the head, and more. Along the way, I share the personal experiences that taught me these bits of Japanese body language and cross-cultural misunderstanding. If you enjoy the show, follow and share it... and until next time...excuse-me-massen, and see ya! Official Website: ⁠https://www.xqsumimasen.com [⁠https://www.xqsumimasen.com ]⁠(⁠https://www.xqspodcast.com [https://www.xqspodcast.com]⁠) Follow Us: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast ]⁠Threads: ⁠https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast [https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast] ⁠ Listen on Other Platforms: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-xq-sumimasen-podcast/id6480508928 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-xq-sumimasen-podcast/id6480508928] --- 🎧 Support the podcast (via Stripe secure checkout): ⁠https://buy.stripe.com/14AdR8dC08dbaPZdkQ1RC0c⁠ [⁠https://buy.stripe.com/14AdR8dC08dbaPZdkQ1RC0c⁠] Independent show. No sponsors. No affiliate links (…yet).

Let's Talk American Meme Slang and Japanese Equivalents | EP038

I’ve been living in Japan since 2011, and I recently realized I’m way out of the loop on the latest American meme slang—so in this episode I catch myself up by breaking down a handful of the most common terms I keep hearing online, then comparing them to the closest Japanese equivalents (with quick definitions, example usage, and whatever origin info I could reliably find). We get into stuff like bop, delulu, rizz, skibidi, and more, with a few side tangents and personal stories. (Heads up: mature slang and a bit of strong language.) If you enjoy the show, follow/subscribe and share it... and until next time...excuse-me-massen, and see ya! Official Website: ⁠https://www.xqsumimasen.com [https://www.xqsumimasen.com ]⁠(⁠https://www.xqspodcast.com⁠) [https://www.xqspodcast.com⁠] Follow Us: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast] ⁠ Threads: ⁠https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast [https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast] ⁠Listen on Other Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0lYSuDCZisdjLwgYL3mR4a [https://open.spotify.com/show/0lYSuDCZisdjLwgYL3mR4a] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-xq-sumimasen-podcast/id6480508928 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-xq-sumimasen-podcast/id6480508928] --- 🎧 Support the podcast (via Stripe secure checkout): ⁠https://buy.stripe.com/14AdR8dC08dbaPZdkQ1RC0c⁠ [⁠https://buy.stripe.com/14AdR8dC08dbaPZdkQ1RC0c⁠] Independent show. No sponsors. No affiliate links (…yet).

My Layman’s Take on Japan’s Price Hikes | 037

Prices are up everywhere right now, so I’m not gonna sit here and pretend Japan is the main character of global inflation—but I do live in Tokyo, and lately it’s been impossible not to notice how often you’re doing that little “wait… wasn’t this cheaper?” double-take at the supermarket, the konbini, and even on Amazon. In this episode, I give my layman’s take on Japan’s price hikes IRL—what changed, why it feels so different after years of “stable Japan prices,” and how stuff like COVID supply chain chaos, the Russia–Ukraine war, tariffs/trade friction, and the weak yen all stack together and show up on your receipt. If you live in Japan (or you visit a lot), I’d love to hear what your first “okay nah, this is getting crazy” moment was—DM me on Instagram or Threads @xqs_podcast, or hit the contact form on the website.Official Website: ⁠https://www.xqsumimasen.com [https://www.xqsumimasen.com ]⁠(⁠https://www.xqspodcast.com⁠) [⁠(⁠https://www.xqspodcast.com⁠)]Follow Us: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast ⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast ⁠]Threads: ⁠https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast ⁠ [https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast ⁠]Listen on Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-xq-sumimasen-podcast/id6480508928⁠ [⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-xq-sumimasen-podcast/id6480508928⁠]---🎧 Support the podcast (via Stripe secure checkout): ⁠https://buy.stripe.com/14AdR8dC08dbaPZdkQ1RC0c⁠ [⁠https://buy.stripe.com/14AdR8dC08dbaPZdkQ1RC0c⁠]Independent show. No sponsors. No affiliate links (…yet).Until next time—excuse-me-massen, and... See ya!

How I Read Japanese Swear Word & Insult Levels

In this episode, I break down how I read Japanese “cuss words and insults”—from Level 1 venting (kuso, urusai), to Level 2 personal shots (baka, omae), to the Level 3 red-flag stuff (temee, kisama, kutabare, shine) that tells you it’s time to quietly walk away. I talk about why Japanese swearing works so differently from English, how "Kotodama" and politeness levels shape everything, why anime subtitles completely scramble your radar, and why some “rude” words between friends are actually affection. I also draw a clear line around the truly heavy discrimination-based slurs—things tied to history, disability, and minorities—that aren’t “swear words” so much as hate speech and not something anyone should learn as a joke. By the end, you’ll know how I tell the difference between someone venting, someone mad at others, someone ready to swing, and someone calling you 'baka' as a term of endearment. If you’ve got your own stories, hit me up in the comments, on Instagram or Threads @xqs_podcast, or through the contact form on xqspodcast.com. Official Website: https://www.xqsumimasen.com [https://www.xqsumimasen.com ](https://www.xqspodcast.com [https://www.xqspodcast.com]) Follow Us:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast  [https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast ] Threads: https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast  [https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast ] Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-xq-sumimasen-podcast/id6480508928 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-xq-sumimasen-podcast/id6480508928] --- 🎧 Support the podcast (via Stripe secure checkout):   https://buy.stripe.com/14AdR8dC08dbaPZdkQ1RC0c [https://buy.stripe.com/14AdR8dC08dbaPZdkQ1RC0c] Independent show. No sponsors. No affiliate links (…yet). Until next time—excuse-me-massen, and... See ya!

What I Learned From My Mistakes Living in Tokyo

In this episode, I’m breaking down all the little mistakes I made living in Tokyo — the chopstick taboos, the wedding etiquette I didn’t know, the ramen “eat and bounce” rule, the last-piece awkwardness, and all the quiet cultural expectations you only learn after messing up in front of somebody’s grandma. These are the things I learned the hard way so you don’t have to, with some stories and a little guidance for anyone visiting or living in Japan.Official Website: https://www.xqsumimasen.com [https://www.xqsumimasen.com ]Follow Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast ]Threads: https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast [https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast ]Listen on Other Platforms: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-xq-sumimasen-podcast/id6480508928 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-xq-sumimasen-podcast/id6480508928]---🎧 Support the podcast (via Stripe secure checkout): https://buy.stripe.com/14AdR8dC08dbaPZdkQ1RC0c [https://buy.stripe.com/14AdR8dC08dbaPZdkQ1RC0c]Independent show. No sponsors. No affiliate links (…yet).Until next time—excuse-me-massen, and... See ya!