Back home, we used to go to a discount store called "Big Lots". At that time, it was an awesomely awful store that sold strange food (often from developing countries or eastern Europe) near or past its expiration date, fashion that was so utterly unfashionable that those who had any sense of taste wouldn't buy it at any price, and items which were so dubious in their utility or appearance that
lundi 31 octobre 2011
Will Miss #381 - Tsurukame
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
Back home, we used to go to a discount store called "Big Lots". At that time, it was an awesomely awful store that sold strange food (often from developing countries or eastern Europe) near or past its expiration date, fashion that was so utterly unfashionable that those who had any sense of taste wouldn't buy it at any price, and items which were so dubious in their utility or appearance that
vendredi 28 octobre 2011
Won't Miss #381 - reluctance to confront (the bad)
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
While not being confronted over niggling infractions like taking a photo in a no camera zone is a bonus when living in Japan, the fact that the Japanese are so reluctant to confront people who break rules can be inconvenient and troubling as well. In particular, when someone breaks a rule which affects others strongly and no one with authority calls them on it, it can be very irritating. One
jeudi 27 octobre 2011
Will Miss #380 - reluctance to confront (the good)
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
Click to see a legible version.
One of the things you learn pretty quickly in Japan is that Japanese people are quite reluctant to confront people who break the rules (either willfully or unwittingly). If you enter a space which says "no photos", there's a pretty good chance that people won't tell you to put away your camera if they see you taking pictures. This applies not only to
mercredi 26 octobre 2011
Won't Miss #380 - the "gaijin" vs. "gaikokujin" argument
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
Offense at a word is in the eye of the beholder. Racially insensitive product name or really bad katakana translation of "mommy"?
One of the longest running debates in the world of foreigners is whether or not being called a "gaijin" (outsider/foreigner) is offensive. The term "gaijkokujin" is generally viewed as being more polite. Frankly, I think this is a trivial issue which masks the real
mardi 25 octobre 2011
Will Miss #379 - living in a small country
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
One of my students recently went on a package tour to the U.S. As part of the deal, she visited Las Vegas and took a bus to the Grand Canyon. I told her that I was surprised at this pairing because those two places aren't exactly easy to hit during one short vacation. She responded essentially with 'they're pretty close to each other.' That was before she went on her trip. After she came back,
lundi 24 octobre 2011
Won't Miss #379 - the "lesser" customer
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
This woman at Adores gaming center was giving some sort of discount card or ticket to everyone who came in, but didn't offer any to my husband and I. This is despite the fact that we actually patronize their establishments.
Walking down the streets of Tokyo or going into shops, you see people sometimes handing out free samples, tissues, coupons, and flyers. Ninety-nine percent of the time,
vendredi 21 octobre 2011
Random Thoughts: The Big "E's"
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
Some time ago, I attempted to have a dialog with someone whose experiences in Japan and opinions as a consequence of those differences were rather different than mine. The exchange ended at an impasse because it was clear that we would never agree. It wasn't that there was fundamental disagreement, but we couldn't settle even on a basic structure on which to reach conclusions.
As an example
jeudi 20 octobre 2011
Will Miss #378 - sweet osmanthus
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
Osmanthus fragrans is a type of flowering tree which is pretty common in Tokyo. There is one growing behind my apartment and in front of it. Most Tokyoites recognize it's pleasantly sweet smell and view it as a part of the seasonal change experience. For me, I will not only associate the scent with life in Japan, as the tree is not common in the United States, but also the change from
mercredi 19 octobre 2011
Won't Miss #378 - status issues
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
Among the many things I have said which have sparked arguments with other foreign people in Japan was the fact that we regard our bosses in the U.S. as being of relatively equal status to us. Conversely, in Japan, there is the sense that your superiors and those who have seniority have a higher status than you. The issue of status at work is often confused with the issues of power and
mardi 18 octobre 2011
Will Miss #377 - the 7 lucky gods
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
The old gods of Greece are often portrayed as competing with one another and fighting amongst themselves. Cultures with multiple gods rarely show them playing nice together, but Japan's 7 lucky gods are often shown as one big happy family. They're on a boat taking a little cruise together or hanging out looking like they're all smiles. Their images often adorn products or are placed in front
Posted in 7 lucky gods, Buddism, gods, Japanese culture, spirituality, temples, will miss
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lundi 17 octobre 2011
Won't Miss #377 - panchera
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
Personally, I don't care if people have their fetishes as long as they keep them private and they don't harm anyone in order to fulfill them. It's really none of my business, unless it is flashed in my face on a regular basis. "Panchera" is the Japanese word for panty fetishism, and you see it everywhere. There are anime-style signs with girls' dresses flipping up showing their cartoon
vendredi 14 octobre 2011
Will Miss #376 - corn is king
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
Corn is everywhere in Western food, but it's usually a background ingredient except when it is served whole or shucked as a side dish. For our snacks, you find that we cover up the corn with strongly flavored powders and spices, or, in the case of cereal, sugar. In Japan, "corn" is often placed front and center as a flavor and a component. I've had corn sembei, and even corn caramels, and
jeudi 13 octobre 2011
Won't Miss #376 - cicadas
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
Yes, it's dead. I rarely see a live one. I just hear them incessantly for months.
I'm sure there are plenty of places in which cicadas reside. For all I know, I experienced them back home, but they weren't nearly as strongly associated with negative experiences there as they are here. What I don't remember about them anywhere else is experiencing them for so long or at such high volume.
mercredi 12 octobre 2011
Will Miss #375 - depictions of criminals
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
If all of the criminal element would just wear these types of jackets, the police would have a much easier time doing their job.
Old cartoons used to show the bad guy as having a long mustache that he twirled as he contemplated his dastardly deeds. Criminals were shown wearing striped prison outfits or were snaggle-toothed, wearing eye patches or masks, or leather-clad punks. These days,
mardi 11 octobre 2011
Won't Miss #375 - spider eyes
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
There's a trend in Japan which I find vaguely disturbing, and that's young women who get long and ridiculous-looking false eyelashes glued onto their eyelids. This trend has been gaining momentum over the past few years and more and more women look like they're walking around with spider legs attached to their faces. Frankly, it looks pretty creepy and can be quite distracting when you're
lundi 10 octobre 2011
Will Miss #374 - retro signs and artifacts
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
They're either channeling the world's most famous genocidal maniac or Hercules Poirot.
One of my students recently went to France and said that one thing she noticed was that there were a lot of old buildings and reminders of old culture in Paris. She compared this to her home city, Tokyo, which is a place which seems intent on tearing down any structure that is approaching the equivalent of
vendredi 7 octobre 2011
Won't Miss #374 - Seiyu
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
Seiyu is a chain of supermarkets with branches in most major areas of Tokyo. I can't speak for all Seiyu supermarkets in Japan, but I can speak for the one nearest me. In fact, if it weren't one of the cheaper places to get certain types of food, I'd avoid it. I'm too poor, however, to walk away from the prices, but there are things about it that annoy me. One of the things is that our
jeudi 6 octobre 2011
Will Miss #373 - hyuganatsu
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
Hyuganatsu is a Japanese citrus fruit which fragrant and a bit sour. When I was first given one of these fruits, I was told I'd have to put sugar on it to eat it. However, I ate it as it was and found it delicious. I may have gotten lucky and had the world's least sour hyuganatsu, but it made me wish I could get them more easily (they're not only a Japanese fruit, but regional and not
mercredi 5 octobre 2011
Won't Miss #373 - puny AM doughnuts selection
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
Actual selection at Mister Donut at 9:00 am.
There's a well-known commercial from the 80's in which a man stumbles out of bed at an ungodly hour to go off and make doughnuts so that they are ready for breakfast. In Japan, no one is getting up before the sun shines. In fact, I'm guessing most are sleeping in later than the average commuter salaryman. I'm not a huge doughnut eater, but once
mardi 4 octobre 2011
Will Miss #372 - shodo
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
"Shodo" is Japanese calligraphy. I don't practice or study it, but I do enjoy the results of what other people do. What is more, I love seeing people doing it on the street in tourist areas. Western people in general have a fascination with the look and feel of Chinese characters (kanji) and calligraphy extends the interest level a bit further. The style, energy and orientation reflect the
lundi 3 octobre 2011
Won't Miss #372 - inhumane animal handling
Posted on 08:00 by Unknown
The only animal being treated badly here is the poor master of that stubborn bulldog.
I realize that animal population control is a difficult thing and that cost is a part of the consideration. Sometimes animals have to be euthanized or they will suffer worse fates (life in a tiny cage, starvation, death by disease, etc.). How a country on the whole deals with this problem is a reflection of
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