Day0099 ｜ Cash, Plastic, and the Purse Leash【Learning English Conversation with Mika】

Описание: Do you think more people will use cash in the future?
Honestly, I still love the clink of coins, like little metal high fives,
　“the clink of coins”＝コインが触れ合う「カチャカチャ」「チャリン」という音。
but my wallet's getting slimmer every year.
Last week, I paid for ramen with my watch.
Felt cool until I realized the cashier probably thinks I'm showing off.
　“showing off”＝「見せびらかす、得意げにする」。
You, are you team plastic, team paper, or still stuffing yen under a mattress like grandma?
　“stuffing yen under a mattress”「布団の下に円を詰め込む」「タンス預金」

In my life mainly I use cash like bills and coins but when I shop on the internet I tend to use plastic.
⇒ I mainly use cash — bills and coins — in daily life, but when I shop online, I tend to use plastic.

Totally get it.
Cash feels real, right?
Like you actually feel the money leaving your hand.
Plastic.
It's like magic.
Tap tap. Done.
I remember when I first got my credit card, I thought, "Wow, I'm an adult."
Then checked my balance and thought, "Wow, I'm bankrupt."
So yeah, mixing both makes sense.
(It) keeps you honest.
　「正直にする」「浪費しないように抑制してくれる」
Do you ever worry about losing all your cash on the train or something?
Or is that just me paranoid from riding public transit too much?
　“paranoid” 「被害妄想気味／やたら心配する」

Yeah. So, not to lose my purse, I use strings to tie on belt loop of pants.
⇒ Yeah. To keep from losing my purse, I tie it to a belt loop on my pants with a string.
⇒ Yeah. I tie my purse to my belt loop with a string so I won’t lose it.

That's actually smart.
Like a ninja wallet.
I used to loop my keys on a carabiner so I wouldn't drop them between subway cars.
　鍵をカラビナに通していたんだ、地下鉄の車両の間に落とさないようにね。
Same idea.
Safety through fashion.
Though, I guess if someone grabs your belt loop, you're both going down.
　でも、もし誰かがあなたのベルトループをつかんだら、二人とも倒れるだろうね。
Still better than losing 3,000 yen in a blink.
(Have you) ever had to actually use that string trick in real life?
Like, did it save you?

What do you mean?

I mean, like, has the string ever actually saved you?
Like you were about to drop your purse on the train, felt the tug, and went, "Ha, caught it."
　たとえば、電車で財布を落としかけたとき、
　（紐の）引っぱりを感じて、『はっ、つかまえた』ってなった、みたいな感じ？
Or is it more just peace of mind, like a lucky charm?
　“lucky charm” は縁起物やお守りを指す一般的表現。
I've got a little keychain of my old bike key.
I don't use it anymore, but I touch it when I'm nervous.
Kind of the same thing.

Great chat.
May I give feedback?
Refinement.
"Not to lose my purse, I use strings to stick to tie."
Try:
"I keep my purse safe by tying it on with string like a leash so I won't lose it."
Sounds smoother.

Expansion.
You could add:
This way, if I trip on the stairs or get pushed in a crowd, my money doesn't vanish.
　こうしておけば、階段でつまずいたり人混みで押されたりしても、お金をなくさずにすむんだ。
Last week I almost dropped it at the station, felt the string pull tight, and boom, still there.

Here's the full polish script.
I mostly use cash in real life, like bills and coins, because I like feeling it leave my hand, you know?
But online, plastic's way faster.
Still, I don't trust myself.
I tie my purse to my belt loop with a string so I won't lose it on the train.
Last week, I almost dropped it at the station, felt the tug, caught it midfall.
Yeah, maybe it looks dorky, but hey, better safe than broke.
　“dorky” = 「ダサい」「オタクっぽい」「かっこ悪い」
　better safe than broke
　→ ことわざ “better safe than sorry（後悔するより用心した方がいい）” のもじり。
　→ “broke” = 「お金がない」「文無し」

Did you like the script?

Yes, as you said now, I had several time I had experiences several time that I almost lose my pose in the train or in in my car.
⇒ Yes, as you just said, I’ve had a few close calls where I almost lost my purse, both on the train and even in my car.
　“a few close calls” は「危うく〜しそうになった経験」を意味する

Wow.
So, the string really is a hero.
I mean, losing cash on a train, (is a) nightmare.
I once left my wallet on the seat and the whole thing rolled off while I was grabbing my bag.
　前に一度、座席に財布を置き忘れて、
　荷物を取っている間に全部転がり落ちちゃったんだ。
Someone honest handed it back, but I swear my heart stopped for 30 seconds.
So, yeah, your string trick, genius.
Hey, maybe next time you tell this story, you can add a punchline.
And that's why my purse has better GPS than my phone.
　だから、私の財布はスマホよりGPS性能がいいの。（というオチ。）

Let's refine what you just said.
"I had experience several time." "I've had a few close calls."
Sounds more casual.
No time repetition "in in my car." "Even in my car."
Add even to show surprise.

Polish script update.
"I've had a few close calls.
Almost lost my purse on the train twice.
Even in my car once.
That's why I leash it with string now.
　 leash は「リード/つなぐヒモ）」を動詞化して使っており、擬人化表現。
Sounds silly, but hey, better than buying ramen with air."

Did you like this version?