Cin Cin. Pronounced as Chin Chin. If you are wondering what this is, then this is how Italians toast. So they raise the glasses, clunk them together (gently as the purpose is not to break the glasses), and say Cin Cin. But my friend has an interesting experience which is also a cultural lesson.
My friend has traveled worldwide for job assignments. For a few assignments, he was living in different countries for a considerable length of time. One such assignment made Japan his temporary home. There, during a dinner party where top honchos of the company were present, my friend said Cin Cin after raising his glass. Everybody went silent. As a result, he became uncomfortable.
Then, somebody explained the whole thing to him. In Japan, you don't say Cin Cin at least when you are raising your glass for toasting. The way Cin Cin is pronounced, it sounds similar to what you call a small boy's pissing organ in Japanese.
Ouch! That must have been an awkward situation. :)
ReplyDeleteI meant to tell you this long back, but kept forgetting -- I think believe your comment box doesn't show on the ipad :(
They all had a good laugh. Embarrassing for my friend, amusing for the rest. :)
DeleteAbout the ipad thing, I will check it out. Not sure if I can do anything about it though...
Oops! Kimchi is what people say for cheese while posing for the camera! Hope it isnt a sensitive word in another language :D
ReplyDelete:) Let's us hope it doesn't mean anything in other languages.
DeleteIt is so easy to make a "cultural blooper"!
ReplyDeleteEasy and embarrassing. :) That is why we have to be very careful in choosing our words during the initial days.
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