Today I remembered a funny story, from my first trip to Japan.
I stayed with a host family in a small town in Mie. Everyone was very kind to me, but my friend's father had a very very very very strong 方言/accent. Also, he spoke with a very low voice, and mumbled (呟く) often. I couldn't understand anything he said to me, and he liked to talk a lot!! Always I would just say, 「はいぃぃぃぃ。。。そうですね」or 「そうなんですか。。難しいですね。。。」^_^ He would always smile, but still he kept talking. haha Often, I would try to sit not near him so he would not try to talk with me....hehe
On my last day, I went to take a shower in the morning. I knew he was in the kitchen, near the shower, so I was afraid to go there, especially by myself because my friend was not there to help me. ^_^ So I ran down the stairs, and as he started talking I quickly said, 「はい、はい、はい。。。」and shut the door.....hehe I have very warm memories of him, but I was really afraid to talk with him. ^_^
Have you ever had such an experience with someone? In the US or in Japan, talking with foreigners? If you have it, please share it with us. I would really enjoy to hear it!!