お大事に！

Today, Sachiyo was absent because she has caught flu. When a person is ill, we say "Get well soon!"

Sachiyo, I hope you are fully recovered for next week's wine tasting (Saturday 19th, 7pm).

In passing

Yesterday, Daisuke said he didn't know Keiko. However, they've met in passing. They haven't been introduced to each other and they don't know each other. One day, Daisuke was leaving and Keiko was arriving at the same time. They passed each other, saw each other and greeted each other. So we can say they've met in passing.

お邪魔します

When entering a Japanese home we should say お邪魔します。　In England there is no such expression. However, it is good manners to wait outside the front door until you are invited inside. Your host will say "Please come in." If the home is nice, you should compliment the host, for example:
"I like your carpet."
"Those are nice curtains."
"This is a nice room."

手拭き

In most restaurants in Japan, we are given a wet tissue or a small hot damp towel. In England, restaurants always provide serviettes or napkins. Serviettes are usually small and made of paper. Napkins are usually large and made of cotton. However, they are not usually damp. Some restaurants provide a finger bowl of water and lemon to clean fingers if the food is to be eaten by hand.

アロマ蝋燭

Last week, I burnt some incense in my office; this week, I have been burning some scented candles. The candles have a subtle fruity smell, are brightly coloured and sit in a glass candle holder. The candles seem to be more popular than the incense.