What brings you to Kyoto?

Today, we're going to have a quick lesson about how you can politely ask people why they are in your area.

This week, I was teaching a lesson where two people run into each other in town and one of them asked:

What are you doing in Umeda?

This is a pretty direct way of asking why someone is in an area. You can also say:

What are you doing here?

This sounds a bit rude, implying that you SHOULDN'T be in this area. 

Why did you come to Japan?

This also sounds kind of rude. It seems to imply that you should go back where you came from. 

This is why you shouldn't say "Where do you come from?" which suggests you should go back there or are a weird person and should instead use:

Where are you from? ^_-

The best way to ask why someone is in your area is:

What brings you to Japan?

This sounds very polite and friendly!

Al: Oh! Hey Tom, what a nice surprise!

Tom: Hi Al, fancy meeting you here. What brings you to Ginza?

Al: I came to check out some new shops.

Tom: Sounds nice, mind if I join you?

Al: Sure, the more the merrier.

Mind if I join you? = Do you mind if I join you? 


Any questions?


Phil