Is it Cute or Scary?

Is it cute or scary? 
In Japan, there are two words that sound very similar especially when spoken quickly. Kowai and Kawaii. The first means scary and the second is defined as cute. On more than one occasion I've tried to express to someone how CUTE their child or pet is and judging by their facial expressions I'm certain the pronunciation did not come out correctly.

One day last week, we decided after language class to check out a waterpark/pool area. Outdoor pools beyond those designed for practicing laps are difficult to find in Japan (mainly because it is too hot and no one wants to be exposed to the sun for fear of the dreaded....TAN) However I love tans, the sun, and the pool. So upon seeing an advertisement for an outdoor pool, I knew I had to check it out. Only one problem...the ink on my left foot.

Now I'm not going to get into why I have a tattoo, whether you or not I regret it OR if you or Jesus thinks it is right or what it is of and so on. And no it isn't a butterfly, BUT tattoos are very taboo in Japan. You see the Japanese often associate large tattoos with gangs or the Japanese mafia. So much so that even the smallest of tattoos will get you kicked out of a pool, spa, or even hotel in a second. No joke, it is serious.

So knowing this, I knew I had a few options. Buy water shoes and develop a lovely tan line, attempt to cover it with a waterproof bandage or just be straight forward and ask at the gate...
I chose the later of the three. Upon arriving at the gate, I explained to the two ladies working at the counter that I did have a small tattoo and questioned if it was okay for me to enter. One lady appeared to be mid 40's while the other was at least in her 70's. Both quickly came around the counter to exam my tattoo which I found hilarious, but I kept trying to emphasis how small it was (hoping that would help my cause).

So while the younger of the two ladies told me to wait a moment and she would go ask her boss, the older lady just kept staring and staring and even asked me to take my sandal off. I removed my chaco to which at that point she said, "kawaii" oh, wait....or was it "kowai"??? I first thought she said kawai which is cute and immediately gave her by best thank you in Japanese along with the biggest smile. Given the confused and quite stern look I received it dawned on me that she might possibly have said kowai or scary....making my smile and thank you completely inappropriate. Was it kawaii or kowai??? Yikes! In my embarrassment, I just wasn't sure.


The conclusion to this story is that I was allowed to go swimming and all was good in the land of the rising sun, but I'm still not sure if I'm cute or just plain scary. Lesson of the day... no matter your language or culture, listen closely and then pause before saying thank you.