Zoe Henderson Smith

English teacher, 29 (New Zealander)

The most recent gaffe I had with Japanese was in a bar where I was trying to use beer mats to explain why the U.K. has so much rainfall. And whilst talking, I continually referred to clouds (kumo in Japanese) as kuma (bears), much to the bemusement of those listening.

Oliver Trenchard

Freelance editor, 22 (English)