Turning Japanese

In the previous post about polar questions, I mentioned a bizarre connection between Finnish and Japanese. This reminded me of an amusing story that happened to one of my Finnish friends while on holiday in Bali a few years ago.

Heikki was staying in a budget hotel, but sneakily making daily use of the lovely pool at the near-by 5-star Hotel Intercontinental. After a few days, he decided he wanted to check his emails, so he went to the luxury hotel's reception with his laptop, to ask for access to the wi-fi network.

The receptionist asked: “Are you a guest at the hotel?”.
Heikki, without hesitation answered: “I am indeed!”
The receptionist then asked: “What is your room number, Sir?”
Heikki replied: “125”
The receptionist informed Heikki: “Our rooms numbers have 4-digits, Sir!”
Heikki, immediately responded: “I know! It's 125... 7!”
The receptionist typed the number into her computer then, looking at the tall, blond and blue-eyed Heikki, asked incredulously: “Mr Yamamoto?”
Not in the least troubled by this, Heikki explained: “Yes, that's my father! My mother is Finnish. Long story...”
Understandably suspicious, the receptionist asked: “Do you speak Japanese then?”
To this, Heikki said confidently: “Sure! Hajosiko toyotasi?”

And that is how Heikki gained access to the wi-fi of the Hotel Intercontinental Bali - by asking the receptionist in Finnish whether her Toyota had broken down!