Oh you’re right… I have 26 of them…
What on earth do I think I have 32 of…? ![]()
Maybe a weird place to ask, but I am reading スベらない同盟 (which is a YA novel I think?) and was so confused as it mentioned as a side note that the female members in the light music club say that the main character sexually harassed them (「それ、セクハラだろうがよ!」)? 
 Wtf did I just read? Is this supposed to be played for laughs? Am I having a culture shock? I also saw no one on bookmeter mention anything about that, but I also haven’t finished the book yet, but so far this wasn’t mentioned again more chapters in and didn’t get more attention besides this passing sentence and had no connection to the main plot. The female members who said this also never mentioned anything about that again so far. ![]()
Can someone else give me an interpretation of how you would read this scene? Is this like seriously telling me the main characters is molesting them or do you thing this is supposed to be funny? ![]()
The scene in question
部の備品であるエレキギターを用い、新入部員に弾きかたを教えるのがレオの役目だった。「Gのときの指はこう」などとコードを押さえる位置を、背中のほうから補助してあげると、ふたりとも顔を真っ赤にする。「照れてんの? かわいいじゃん」とレオが耳もとでささやくと、ますます赤くなる。みんなが「それ、セクハラだろうがよ!」と言ってきても、レオは全力で無視した。
My interpretation
I think he did not actually do anything, and that the comment was geared towards his remark in that situation.
The scene as I understand it: Leo teaches a new club member (presumably a girl?) how to play the guitar, standing behind her and probably touching her hand or just standing very close to her, and both get very embarrassed. He then mumbles in her ear: “Getting embarrassed? How cute!” which is then reproached by everybody as sexual harassment.
yes, but...
Yes, that’s how I read it as well at first, but I still think it’s an odd scene all in all. If they really feel like it is sexual harassment and call it that way, then wouldn’t it be a big deal? Is the term used lightly/in a less serious way here? I think if I would’ve told a boy in my school he is sexually harassing me or close to doing so it would’ve been a big deal, but maybe I am taking all of it too seriously 
 just an odd scene for me, especially since it specified レオは全力で無視した. That sounds… pretty bad. 
 If someone is uncomfortable with your actions to the points of calling it sexual harassment, you probably shouldn’t ignore it. Since it has no relevancy to the plot I am really confused what the author was trying to tell me here ![]()
But thank you for your interpretation!
I’ve seen it used lightly. In fact, I think I’ve seen it used lightly more often than not. For example, the way someone is behaving could be interpreted as sexual harassment, but it’s almost always something on the lighter end of the spectrum (a comment, a touch that might even be unintentional?) and the one who calls セクハラ does so either playfully or as a light warning? If it makes sense.
My understanding of セクハラ is that it can be used in a much “lighter” manner than the equivalent would be used in English. I read the passage the same as @nikoru: nothing actually happened between the two, she just got embarrassed.
That’s my impression as well. Calling something/someone セクハラ can almost be teasing in and of itself.
Okay thanks everyone for your input! Since the word holds a lot of weight for me in English and it didn’t really specify in what tone it was said (and I am probably not picking up all the nuances with だろうがよ anyway) I was reaaaally confused since I also felt like it was supposed to be read as a playful “hey, stop that, that’s embarrassing!”. But the word didn’t match up for me. ![]()
I can now continue the book in peace ![]()
I had a conversation with my tutor about this actually, and she said the same thing (minus the almost).
I will third (fourth?) this, I hear セクハラ thrown around a lot like エッチ… more often teasing or a joke than an actual accusation.
変態 though… people are usually serious. It’s like エッチ being called by its full name ![]()
痴漢 is like “call the police” level of serious, I have found.
One of my italki tutors recommended this book to me 生命式 | L31
I’ve had quite a few trial lessons but it’s hard finding someone who reads as much as I do, or reads light novels. So i’m looking forward to talking about the book!
I’m very keen on trying Kino no tabi after I’m done reading that book.
Oh, that’s great that they recommended Murata, one of my favourite authors! Would you mind sharing who the tutor is? You can pm me if you don’t want to post it here. I’ve also been looking for someone to talk to about books, so this might be a good fit.
I started reading some https://learnnatively.com/book/3ac9f1e90b/ for my bingo (and also to read less manga/LNs) and I have to ask, is something wrong with 谷崎’s brain? It’s the second thing I read from him, and in both cases it was about a relationship where the guy gets crushed (sometimes literally) and generally abused by the woman. Is that his kink or something?
Sure, I’ll drop a dm!
If you want a novel by him that isn’t about that kind of thing you could try 細雪 上 | L40
I feel like yes, that is kinda what he’s known for. Kinda kink in general, but yeah the crushing is a theme I am aware of.
Ahhh finished おいしいごはんが食べられますように today, and I loved it.
Thanks Nikoru for the wanikani page!
Being able to share everyone’s amazement at the characters silly decisions really added to the experience.
General thoughts (spoilers ahead)
I couldn’t relate to 二谷’s hate of food culture at all initially, but by end when everyone is fawning over 芦川’s latest cake, I definitely felt his pain.
I have to say, it’s doesn’t making working in a Japanese office sound very appealing. Pretty much everyone who had a part would be a nightmare to work with.
The izakaya vists of 二谷 and 押尾 definitely felt like a relief from the stifling atmosphere at the office. I think, having a drinking buddy in the office would be the only way I could face it too ![]()
For a split-second in the ending,  I hoped 二谷 would try Italian food and awaken a passion for pasta, with him moving to Italy to chase him dream.
(A pipe dream, given how unpassionate he was about everything in his life, but would have been hilarious to me)
Also, I’m going to start https://learnnatively.com/book/a839746242/ by Hirada Hika tomorrow.
It’s the first book I’ve read in a while which is fairly unknown on Natively, so I’m interested to see if I like it ![]()
I was recommended by an instagram book page, and sounds quite light, slice of life kinda stuff.
She seems to have written a lot of similar novels - so I’m hoping she might be a good author when I want something light and cheerful.
In general, yes. ![]()
He does have some more subdued books, though…. Stay away from 卍 (or maybe read it if you want even more of the same)
