Skill or lack of Skill?

10 years leaving in Japan, my Japanese is reasonable.

It is less common for me to encounter situations when people give me a blank look, not knowing how to talk with me.

Not sure how it happens, how people “know” I understand Japanese. Not sure what is different when people don’t know how to respond to me. It is a Skill of understanding/seeing I am “local”, or is it the lack of skill to adapt to a different situation.

Went to “Paul” yesterday, ordered a sandwich, some bread, and it all went natural. No hesitation from the girl who worked there, no change of tone or speed. Is it because she understood I am “local”, or is it because she can’t change the way she is working.

Will keep watching people and thinking about it, but I guess I will not find a definitive answer.

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