Re: use of small kana on the increase?

On Sun, 10 Dec 2006 08:25:17 +0900, Ben Bullock wrote:

I never saw Cindy's original post as quoted above, for some reason, but
perhaps I should reply to it.

I've heard the word used on the TV and seen purported interviews with girls
which said that the enjo kousai often (sometimes?), but not always, involves
prostitution, in other words selling sex.

To check this, today and yesterday I went to a number of internet sites and
found pages on enjo kousai. One consistent theme was that they mentioned
that enjo kousai may or may not involve selling sexual services. Thus, to
say that "enjo kousai" is exactly the same thing as teenage prostitution
seems mistaken to me, based on the sources I have found.

But, judging from her behaviour here, I suppose Cindy is the sort of person

[insult snipped]

Cindy can sometimes be abrasive but she's always witty. Your remark was
not only uncalled. It gives the impression that in a battle of wits between
the two of you, Cindy is fighting an unarmed man.

With regards to the phrase in question, I wouldn't expect you to do
anything so frivolous as to read manga or watch anime and thus would not
have been exposed to the references in popular culture I made in another
post. I explained that the term is more complex than simple teen
prostitution. It often involves an exclusive relationship between young
girl and much older man. The benefit to the girl need not be exclusively
monetary.

I was surprised that you waited till now to Google the term rather than
immediately as is your wont. I thought I'd check out what you were
referring to. I just tried Googling the term (setting the language to
Japanese to screen out the Chinese). It looks to me like you were
propositioned by countless sites of questionable morality

Anyway, I recommend you pick up a copy of the first and second series of
the Anime Initial D. It's quite enjoyable. A recurring theme is that
after two drift racers go all out on a race course they don't have
lingering grudges against one another. By all means cross swords with
Cindy but limit the exchanges to a battle of words without personal
insults. The insults diminish you not her so keep the fight clean.

Phil Yff
.