Another entry of fun cultural differences, and everyday things.
I
have come across a startling number of Japanese people who drink
champagne on flights, I am starting to wonder if it is a cultural thing.
Those face masks are not because of SARS, they wear them when they are
sick as a courtesy to others so they dont make everyone else sick. They
sell some pretty snazzy ones too. They always grab a glass of water when
leaving the bathroom, yah I dont know either. Everyone uses their cell
phone on the metro, to text, always texting not talking. There will be
an entire row of people sitting there, maybe 7 across, each on texting
away, and no one talks to each other on the subway, its like quiet time
until foreigners jump in the car. Japan has these insane vending
machines, and they are everywhere. They actually serve hot chocolate in a
can from these machines along with a variety of other hot and cold
drinks. The hot chocolate from a can is actually good. All of the women
carry mini hand towels in their purses because they dont have paper
towels in any of the bathrooms. Ramen restuarants are really
interesting. You order on a machine outside where there is a display of
food, literally plastic food, then pick on the machine and then put the
money in. You get a receipt which you hand to the person at the door and
then they seat you and bring you your food. It is fantastically
efficient, and kind of a form of portion control. The food displays in
the windows are quite accurate. I got an egg in my soup the other day
and I swear it looked exactly like the mock up. I am sure there is more
of these fun things, actually I know there is, but I have been awake far
to long to think of any more right now.
