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| “おひとりさま”という言葉に新しい意味と価値観を定義づけた、故・岩下久美子さん。日本におけるストーカー研究の第一人者でもあった。（画像提供：おひとりさま向上委員会） |
| Trendy Japanese #6: Ohitori-sama |
* 2005/6/22 配信 ALC Newsletter No.14(ALC
International Marketing 発行)より
* クリックできる語句には、語注がついています
"Ohitori" is a polite way to say "one person," and "sama" is an honorific added to the end of a word, usually the name of the addressee. The word "ohitori-sama" was originally used in the question "Ohitori-sama desuka?" (Are you by yourself?) when a waiter/waitress, hotel clerk, or whoever the person in charge of welcoming customers, asked if a customer needed a table/room for only one.
But these days, a new meaning has been added to the word "ohitori-sama" --- It is now defined as a "mentally independent mature woman," whether single or married. She is the type of woman who goes to a restaurant or a bar by herself to enjoy whatever food she feels like having at whatever time she wants. She also goes to hot springs and stays at hotels without company, and might even buy a spacious condominium where she can release her stress and feel relaxed!
The theory is that
by doing things on
your own, you learn how to keep
a proper
distance
from others and succeed in both romance and work as
a result.---This new way of living "ohitori-sama," was introduced
by the female journalist Kumiko Iwashita in 1999, two years
before she died in a water accident in Thailand in 2001.
During her field
research on people who had difficulty communicating,
Iwashita realized that the most important thing for people
in their lives was getting to know themselves --- what she
called "self-establishment."
And so she added her new definition
to the word "ohitori-sama," which used only to be a name
for customers who were by themselves.
Now that women are
more powerful than before, they don't hesitate
to do things independently. Travel
agencies and hotels were quick to spot
this new trend --- many of them now offer plans for "ohitori-sama"
women. Many cafes and restaurants also try to create an
atmosphere
which is comfortable for them. Yes, women are becoming increasingly
influential
in Japan. --- So, what about men? Are modern men strong
enough to become the partners of "ohitori-sama" woman? Well,
let me tell you more about the new trend in female-male
relationships at the next opportunity!
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