Just a note to would be joiners – Please don’t join and do one of a few things (which the majority of people seem to do):
A) Come in, ask us how to learn Japanese, have me (90% of the time) explain the rather lengthy process of it to you, inevitably take none of it on board and log off and never come back. This… this is annoying.
B) Come in, say nothing, leave. I’m not quite sure what you expected coming in.
I have no problem helping people – I enjoy it. I have no problem including you in Japanese shows we watch together or talking about pretty much anything. I do have a problem with being used as a 21 questions box and then having you never come back. I also have a problem with people who, for some reason, ask questions and then deny or argue the response. Really, wtf did you want to hear?
Please, come in. Enjoy it, talk about Japanese and Japanese shows or music. Idols and Comedians (I’m the J-TV/Comedian expert). Even type in Japanese. If you don’t see anyone in the team speak, it’s just the wrong time, come back in a few hours. We have people across 5+ different time zones so it’s hard to get a big group on at the same time. And above all else, come in open minded, willing to hear new ideas and willing to learn.