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Go Hitchhiking by Molly Hakes

Even in this day and age, Japan is a relatively safe place to hitchhike, but it should be done with a friend, if possible. Most Japanese people are extremely kind to foreigners, especially those who are interested in Japanese culture. This attitude, along with a fear that foreigners cannot function in Japan, will cause some people to bend over backward to ensure that you get where you are trying to go. Nevertheless, be sure you exercise common sense, as even seemingly harmless situations can quickly go bad.

The following dialogue is an example of an exchange between a driver and a potential hitchhiker.

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<tgroup cols="2"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <tbody> <tr> <td><p><B>Driver:</B></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Konnichiwa. Doko ni ikitai-n desu ka</emphasis>.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><para/></td> <td><p>Hello. Where do you want to go?</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><B>Hitchhiker:</B></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Sapporo ni ikitai-n desu kedo…</emphasis></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><para/></td> <td><p>I would like to go to Sapporo but …</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><B>Driver:</B></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Watashi wa Sapporo no chikaku ni sundeiru kara okutte age-masu</emphasis>.<emphasis>Doozo</emphasis>.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><para/></td> <td><p>I live near Sapporo so I'll give you a ride. Get in.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><B>Hitchhiker:</B></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Hontoo ni daijoobu desu ka. Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu</emphasis>.<emphasis>Sumimasen, onegai shimasu</emphasis>.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><para/></td> <td><p>Are you sure it's okay? Thank you very much. Excuse me (for putting you out). Please take care of me.</p></td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <p>In this dialogue, there's yet another combination of the verb with a -<emphasis>te</emphasis> ending followed by a regular or polite verb. The verb <emphasis>ageru</emphasis>, in particular, is special in Japanese. When <emphasis>ageru</emphasis> follows a -<emphasis>te</emphasis> form verb, it indicates that the action is being done for the benefit of another person:</p> <div class="npsb"> <p><emphasis>Mite ageru</emphasis>.</p> <p>I'll take a look at it for you.</p> <p><emphasis>Kashite ageru</emphasis>.</p> <p>I'll let you borrow it.</p> <p><emphasis>Yonde ageru</emphasis>.</p> <p>I'll read it to you.</p> </div> <!--/gc--> <div id="pagination"><ul><li class="prev"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/japanese/where-the-streets-have-no-names/joining-a-tour.htm" title="Joining a Tour">Joining a Tour</a></li><li class="next"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/japanese/where-the-streets-have-no-names/quizzes-and-exercises-3.htm" title="Quizzes and Exercises">Quizzes and Exercises</a> </li></ul></div></div> <div id="coda"> <div id="rel"><div class="n5">Related Articles</div><ul> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/japanese/where-the-streets-have-no-names/go-hitchhiking.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Go 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