Learning standard Japanese, or the way Japanese is spoken formally, can be useful, but not terribly exciting. Here in the Kansai region, folks have their own way of talking. This dialect, referred to as Kansai-ben or Osaka-ben, is known for its humorous, unsophisticated, and sometimes “a bit rube by Tokyo’s standards” style of parlance.
Learning Kansai-ben will help you break the ice with the locals, and probably earn you some street cred in the process.
The phrase “bochi bochi” can be used to vaguely answer many casual types of questions. It’s sort of a neutral response that’s open to interpretation. It can be useful when you're making small talk and you don't really know what's being asked or how to respond.
Q: How’s business these days?
A: Maa, bochi bochi denna. (It’s going so-so.)
Q: Can you speak Japanese?
A: Maa, bochi bochi ya na. (I’m getting there...)
Q: How are you doing?
A: bochi bochi (OK / fine)
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