Ever have Japanese penpals disappear on you?

Question

Hi

I met this J-guy online and he seemed super friendly and we exchanged an email every other day for a week. Then he told me he was visiting his parents and wanted me to send him a photo even tho he knew what I looked like already as I posted my photo up on the website. I decided to wait a week since he was at his parents then I wrote him a friendly email w/my photo. I also gave him my msn address as he asked for it. Since then I have not heard from him. It has been over a week now. Isn't it strange or is it normal?

Answer 1

My pen pal started emailing me every day, then every other day, twice a week and finally only once a week.

He seems to be taking distance from me. When I ask him for a reason he says nothing changed and emails me a few times and then I don't hear from him for a long time...

Answer 2

It's too much to expect them to e-mail so often. For many Japanese people, it takes time to read the e-mail and make certain they understand it, then formulate their response in English and send it.

For such correspondence, I think once a week or even once every other week is not bad at all. I would give it some more time. If he doesn't respond within a couple weeks, send him a new message. If he doesn't respond after that, then it may be time to find a new online friend... It can be difficult to find online friends who are committed to keeping correspondence alive, so try not to take it personally if he does stop responding. Also, when the Japanese say they are "busy", it usually IS true. But for now, wait it out a little and see what happens.

Answer 3

wait another week or month...

i had  j**s friends too..pen-pals..

they are very busy studying..

and they seldom reply..or late...

Answer 4

give it some time... maybe another two weeks.