The 'Afterwards' Follow-up: A Trick for Subtle Brownie Points

Have you ever noticed that after you tell a Japanese person about something (for example, you were sick, you have an important presentation coming up, or there's a family matter...), a few days or a week later, they will proactively ask you about it?

This is not a coincidence, but a very subtle and effective communication culture of the Japanese, revolving around asking about 'the story afterwards'.

The Power of a Belated Follow-up 🧠

While we often react only at the moment of hearing the story, the Japanese have a habit of 'remembering' and 'checking back'.

A friend said last week they had a cold. This week when you meet again, instead of just a normal greeting, a sentence like:

「その後、体調どう？」 (Sono go, taichou dou?) 'How's your health after that?'

will have more power than a thousand words. Why?

1. It shows you really listened and remembered: This indicates that their story was important to you, not just 'in one ear and out the other'.
2. It shows genuine care (気遣い - Kizukai): It proves you weren't just being polite at the time, but you were genuinely concerned about their situation later on.
3. It creates a deep connection: A small action that builds great trust and intimacy. The other person will feel truly valued.

'Golden' Situations to Apply This ✅

This trick isn't just for when someone is sick. Try applying it in these cases, and you'll see unexpected results:

• After a colleague's important event:

  「先日のプレゼン、その後いかがでしたか？」(Senjitsu no purezen, sono go ikaga desu ka?) 'The presentation the other day, how did it go afterwards?'

• When you know someone has just moved:

  「引越し、その後落ち着きましたか？」(Hikkoshi, sono go ochitsukimashita ka?) 'The move, have things settled down since then?'

• When you know someone's pet was unwell:

  「ワンちゃんの具合、その後どう？」(Wan-chan no guai, sono go dou?) 'Your puppy's condition, how is it now?'

💡 A little tip: You don't need to ask the very next day. A period of a few days to a week is usually ideal, showing that you've kept their story in mind.

This is one of those 'invisible' communication skills that you won't find in textbooks. It shows you're not just good at Japanese, but also truly understand and are subtle in Japanese etiquette. Try it today!