|
Post by Caic on Jan 12, 2017 10:18:50 GMT 9
drip coffee is besto
|
|
num05410
So jozu at chopsticks
Posts: 139
CIR Experience: 3rd year
Location: Iwate
Gender (Pronouns): meh. whatever
|
Post by num05410 on Dec 22, 2022 16:02:07 GMT 9
I was thinking of starting a new thread but thought it would be easier to jump onto a bus thats already had/has stuff going.
It's on a similar note to the main topic, but wanted to know everyone's opinion on something that is rather normal to a Japanese person but would definitely surprise a foreigner if they came to Japan without any information before-hand.
An example is like... - The menu ordering ticket machine at the ramen shops - Conveyerbelt Sushis - (Maybe inaka exclusive) The fact that there are some local restaurants where you have to scream out SUMIMASE---N for them to get you water - How cups can be so miniature sized - You dont know if you pay at the table or if you bring it up yourself - There are actually places where robots bring you food - How packed the train can be in the morn/eve rush - (Maybe inaka exclusive) The 代行 service, where you get someone to drive your car home with you inside so you dont drink and drive - etc.
|
|
superalicat
CIRHP admin
CIRHP's Silver Swiftie
all's fair in 国際 and 交流
Posts: 7,794
CIR Experience: 3rd year
Location: Toyama
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
CHaos??: CHAOS
|
Post by superalicat on Dec 22, 2022 16:10:12 GMT 9
I was thinking of starting a new thread but thought it would be easier to jump onto a bus thats already had/has stuff going. It's on a similar note to the main topic, but wanted to know everyone's opinion on something that is rather normal to a Japanese person but would definitely surprise a foreigner if they came to Japan without any information before-hand. An example is like... - The menu ordering ticket machine at the ramen shops - Conveyerbelt Sushis - (Maybe inaka exclusive) The fact that there are some local restaurants where you have to scream out SUMIMASE---N for them to get you water - How cups can be so miniature sized - You dont know if you pay at the table or if you bring it up yourself - There are actually places where robots bring you food - How packed the train can be in the morn/eve rush - (Maybe inaka exclusive) The 代行 service, where you get someone to drive your car home with you inside so you dont drink and drive - etc. -even just having those buzzer/bell things at famiresu to get the server to come to your table -jugs of mugicha at the table/mugicha being served for free -idk this is just funny to me but sometimes the chopsticks are hidden in those little boxes with drawers and you have to find them yourself -happened to my dad and not me but he was surprised that a gyudon place we went to didnt have any forks, just chopsticks and the ramen spoons (i forgot what theyre called orz) so he had to have a gyudon with the spoon -taking this from my co-CIR: the big concrete breakwater things that are just dumped into the water off the coasts here -also from another co-CIR: the toll roads being crazy expensive sometimes -my default answer when i get asked abt BIKKURI SARETA KOTO is that literally everyone hangs their laundry and even their futons/bedding outside on their balconies the moment it gets sunny outside
|
|
|
Post by usamaru on Dec 22, 2022 16:16:19 GMT 9
- unsweetened tea (the plastic bottle kind) - bringing your own hand towel to dry your hands - getting on the bus from the back door (in some cases) - slurping is okay - hot drinks from the vending machine - wild animals (for me at least) - onsen culture
|
|
|
Post by Dee on Dec 22, 2022 16:21:37 GMT 9
- small portion sizes at restaurants - no free refills - drink bar at famiresu (the only way to get free refills) - some restaurants don't serve water, just tea - (inaka only) bosai radios or town-wide announcements over the bosai speakers - variety of meal items at conbinis
|
|
num05410
So jozu at chopsticks
Posts: 139
CIR Experience: 3rd year
Location: Iwate
Gender (Pronouns): meh. whatever
|
Post by num05410 on Dec 22, 2022 16:22:42 GMT 9
I was thinking of starting a new thread but thought it would be easier to jump onto a bus thats already had/has stuff going. It's on a similar note to the main topic, but wanted to know everyone's opinion on something that is rather normal to a Japanese person but would definitely surprise a foreigner if they came to Japan without any information before-hand. An example is like... - The menu ordering ticket machine at the ramen shops - Conveyerbelt Sushis - (Maybe inaka exclusive) The fact that there are some local restaurants where you have to scream out SUMIMASE---N for them to get you water - How cups can be so miniature sized - You dont know if you pay at the table or if you bring it up yourself - There are actually places where robots bring you food - How packed the train can be in the morn/eve rush - (Maybe inaka exclusive) The 代行 service, where you get someone to drive your car home with you inside so you dont drink and drive - etc. -even just having those buzzer/bell things at famiresu to get the server to come to your table -jugs of mugicha at the table/mugicha being served for free - idk this is just funny to me but sometimes the chopsticks are hidden in those little boxes with drawers and you have to find them yourself-happened to my dad and not me but he was surprised that a gyudon place we went to didnt have any forks, just chopsticks and the ramen spoons (i forgot what theyre called orz) so he had to have a gyudon with the spoon -taking this from my co-CIR: the big concrete breakwater things that are just dumped into the water off the coasts here -also from another co-CIR: the toll roads being crazy expensive sometimes -my default answer when i get asked abt BIKKURI SARETA KOTO is that literally everyone hangs their laundry and even their futons/bedding outside on their balconies the moment it gets sunny outsideOh no I totally get you. The more facier they try to do it, the harder it gets to find them too. And yes, i just want my own dryer... What? It becomes small? that's how i like em!
|
|
num05410
So jozu at chopsticks
Posts: 139
CIR Experience: 3rd year
Location: Iwate
Gender (Pronouns): meh. whatever
|
Post by num05410 on Dec 22, 2022 16:26:15 GMT 9
- unsweetened tea (the plastic bottle kind) - bringing your own hand towel to dry your hands- getting on the bus from the back door (in some cases) - slurping is okay - hot drinks from the vending machine- wild animals (for me at least) - onsen culture Yes! I always forget my handkerchief too.. And this!! I love the warm calpis one, hehe! and also the fact that they sell canned corn soup too hue
|
|
num05410
So jozu at chopsticks
Posts: 139
CIR Experience: 3rd year
Location: Iwate
Gender (Pronouns): meh. whatever
|
Post by num05410 on Dec 22, 2022 16:27:58 GMT 9
- small portion sizes at restaurants - no free refills - drink bar at famiresu (the only way to get free refills) - some restaurants don't serve water, just tea - (inaka only) bosai radios or town-wide announcements over the bosai speakers- variety of meal items at conbinis Ah yes.. Like for me i know what they are saying. But I can only imagine someone panicking...
|
|
|
Post by Dee on Dec 22, 2022 16:28:44 GMT 9
- small portion sizes at restaurants - no free refills - drink bar at famiresu (the only way to get free refills) - some restaurants don't serve water, just tea - (inaka only) bosai radios or town-wide announcements over the bosai speakers- variety of meal items at conbinis Ah yes.. Like for me i know what they are saying. But I can only imagine someone panicking... I always have to message hubby afterwards to explain what was said because he worries. Haha
|
|
superalicat
CIRHP admin
CIRHP's Silver Swiftie
all's fair in 国際 and 交流
Posts: 7,794
CIR Experience: 3rd year
Location: Toyama
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
CHaos??: CHAOS
|
Post by superalicat on Dec 22, 2022 16:36:16 GMT 9
ELECTION VANS
|
|
superalicat
CIRHP admin
CIRHP's Silver Swiftie
all's fair in 国際 and 交流
Posts: 7,794
CIR Experience: 3rd year
Location: Toyama
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
CHaos??: CHAOS
|
Post by superalicat on Dec 22, 2022 16:36:53 GMT 9
i completely forgot abt the insanity of election season here in japan
also getting cult members randomly approaching you (and coming directly to my door, in my case)
|
|
|
Post by Aya Raincoat on Dec 22, 2022 23:52:48 GMT 9
- Bagging your groceries (and sometimes at other stores like Daiso) at a table/counter instead of at the cash - People just watching TV in their car - People parking their car in some store's parking lot and then just chilling in there all day... - Schools and offices not being heated properly - Alcohol and cigarette vending machines where anyone can buy them (there was one near my high school) - People being allowed to drink anywhere
I remember making a list when I came here the very first time, but not all the stuff that was on there
|
|
num05410
So jozu at chopsticks
Posts: 139
CIR Experience: 3rd year
Location: Iwate
Gender (Pronouns): meh. whatever
|
Post by num05410 on Dec 23, 2022 8:46:46 GMT 9
i completely forgot abt the insanity of election season here in japan also getting cult members randomly approaching you (and coming directly to my door, in my case) tbh I can somewhat make sense of the logic of election van usage. - People dont care about the election → Let's make them hear it whether they like it or not! I can make sense of it but that doesnt mean i think it solves anything.. As for the cult members, true.. I had this a few times too when i was studying abroad in Chiba. But I also had this experience growing up in the states as well. I cant put it to words since its too early in the morning, but Japanese people's passive aggressive approach to solve problems i feel is the main source of reasoning why it feels so common. (explains both the election van and the cult approach too hue)
|
|
num05410
So jozu at chopsticks
Posts: 139
CIR Experience: 3rd year
Location: Iwate
Gender (Pronouns): meh. whatever
|
Post by num05410 on Dec 23, 2022 8:57:32 GMT 9
- Bagging your groceries (and sometimes at other stores like Daiso) at a table/counter instead of at the cash - People just watching TV in their car - People parking their car in some store's parking lot and then just chilling in there all day...- Schools and offices not being heated properly- Alcohol and cigarette vending machines where anyone can buy them (there was one near my high school) - People being allowed to drink anywhere I remember making a list when I came here the very first time, but not all the stuff that was on there Yeah.. I still dont understand why some ppl need to watch TV while driving.. I feel like in other countries if ppl did this, either 1. you'd get the police called on, 2. you'd get the police called on, 3. get shot hue As for heat, i think its def the insulation problem and the fact that they dont have central heating almost anywhere. Which is financially better? idk, but the kerosene heating, i feel, is engrained in people's everyday living to a point that itll never be fully resolved
|
|
mcduds
So jozu at chopsticks
Posts: 124
CIR Experience: 1st year
Location: Nagasaki
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
|
Post by mcduds on Dec 26, 2022 11:13:00 GMT 9
Ohhh I have so many this barely starts my list. - Having to take shoes off in some stores - People riding bikes on the sidewalk - Convenience stores and vending machines everywhere but eating and walking is frowned upon - They put a seal on your stuff if you carry it out, but if you put it into a bag you brought they don’t? What’s the difference?? - Eating a bowl of ramen with a side bowl of white rice - Bentos sit out at room temperature for hours at the supermarket - Absolutely shockingly bad road quality in the inaka (plus the amount of blind turns, roads that are too narrow for two cars so you have to pull off to let people through etc.) - The amount of plastic waste literally everywhere - The trash sorting system (plus the fun benefit of people dumping appliances and stuff because getting rid of it is too mendoukusai and expensive) - Weeding / mowing is often not done by the prefecture / city and local community centers have to do it (probably just inaka but…)
|
|
|
Post by Springjay on Dec 26, 2022 14:21:30 GMT 9
- animal rights (or lack-there-of)
- some cities fine you for walking/smoking/discarding cig ashes
- eating raw eggs at places like shabu shabu (my American mom used to get really worried/angry when she'd hear me talking about eating raw eggs because she was convinced that I'd get sick)
- hospitals not having wifi and also charging you for every single little thing (even hotels give you toothbrushes and towels for free but not the hospitals in Gun Mother ;-; )
- that it's socially acceptable to take off your shoes to climb on or stand on furniture (mostly children, but I love that I can do that too)
- how bad the insulation is in buildings. My parents get angry and think I'm just being too cheap to run the heating when they can see my breath in the kitchen on video chats, but it's actually just that the air con is positioned in a way that it can't blow heat into the kitchen so there's no point in paying to run it...
- maybe niche, but... I attended my first Japanese funeral as a family member this year, and even though I read a little bit online about what to expect, I couldn't mentally prepare for the handling of the bones, the breathing of the dust(body particles?) that fluttered through the air, the... watching as we dumped the bone remains into a big hole in the ground where hubby's other relatives were buried... it made me feel all kinds of uncomfortable during and after the funeral services, even though I know it isn't bad or wrong, just different from what I know to be normal
|
|
|
Post by Dee on Dec 26, 2022 15:29:44 GMT 9
- animal rights (or lack-there-of) - some cities fine you for walking/smoking/discarding cig ashes - eating raw eggs at places like shabu shabu (my American mom used to get really worried/angry when she'd hear me talking about eating raw eggs because she was convinced that I'd get sick) - hospitals not having wifi and also charging you for every single little thing (even hotels give you toothbrushes and towels for free but not the hospitals in Gun Mother ;-; ) - that it's socially acceptable to take off your shoes to climb on or stand on furniture (mostly children, but I love that I can do that too) - how bad the insulation is in buildings. My parents get angry and think I'm just being too cheap to run the heating when they can see my breath in the kitchen on video chats, but it's actually just that the air con is positioned in a way that it can't blow heat into the kitchen so there's no point in paying to run it... - maybe niche, but... I attended my first Japanese funeral as a family member this year, and even though I read a little bit online about what to expect, I couldn't mentally prepare for the handling of the bones, the breathing of the dust(body particles?) that fluttered through the air, the... watching as we dumped the bone remains into a big hole in the ground where hubby's other relatives were buried... it made me feel all kinds of uncomfortable during and after the funeral services, even though I know it isn't bad or wrong, just different from what I know to be normal Yeah, Japanese funerals are way different. I attended one a couple years ago as an acquaintance and was not prepared for the casket to be opened so we could put flowers in with the body. They don't "prepare" the body to be pretty or less corpse like either, so that was jarring.
|
|
num05410
So jozu at chopsticks
Posts: 139
CIR Experience: 3rd year
Location: Iwate
Gender (Pronouns): meh. whatever
|
Post by num05410 on Dec 27, 2022 8:49:58 GMT 9
Wanted to see if this was just me or maybe other ppl might agree.. Im from the States, but compared to the elevator there doesn't the elevator here in Japan close real fast after you press the close button?
Tbh, i dont think I've had a single elevator in the states that actually closes after pressing the close button. Or am i just imagining things..
|
|
|
Post by Springjay on Dec 27, 2022 8:58:14 GMT 9
You're so right num05410, because I've accidentally slammed elevator doors on my husband more than once although to be fair, the ones in City Hall where I work are kinda slow to close, so I think that's why I hit the button automatically without thinking, and then in regular buildings the doors slam shut on him
|
|
superalicat
CIRHP admin
CIRHP's Silver Swiftie
all's fair in 国際 and 交流
Posts: 7,794
CIR Experience: 3rd year
Location: Toyama
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
CHaos??: CHAOS
|
Post by superalicat on Dec 27, 2022 9:12:30 GMT 9
Wanted to see if this was just me or maybe other ppl might agree.. Im from the States, but compared to the elevator there doesn't the elevator here in Japan close real fast after you press the close button? Tbh, i dont think I've had a single elevator in the states that actually closes after pressing the close button. Or am i just imagining things.. <war flashbacks to the elevators in my wednesday office building that close within four seconds (i counted) of opening up to let people out> (i assume they fixed it cause it hasnt happened lately but those things came close to slamming shut on me multiple times without anyone pressing the close button)
|
|
|
Post by Springjay on Jul 26, 2023 16:08:59 GMT 9
oh I remembered one recently; I had never eaten grapes with seeds in them until, like, college? And that was only because my college bf was Asian American, so the ones his family would buy from a big Asian supermarket in DC had the seed ones / I had them in Japan while on exchange
I remember being really surprised that there was such a thing as grapes with seeds hue
|
|
superalicat
CIRHP admin
CIRHP's Silver Swiftie
all's fair in 国際 and 交流
Posts: 7,794
CIR Experience: 3rd year
Location: Toyama
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
CHaos??: CHAOS
|
Post by superalicat on Jul 26, 2023 16:14:50 GMT 9
oh I remembered one recently; I had never eaten grapes with seeds in them until, like, college? And that was only because my college bf was Asian American, so the ones his family would buy from a big Asian supermarket in DC had the seed ones / I had them in Japan while on exchange I remember being really surprised that there was such a thing as grapes with seeds hue maraschino cherries that have the pits inside............ive hurt myself on those before
|
|
|
Post by Dee on Jul 31, 2023 15:56:17 GMT 9
oh I remembered one recently; I had never eaten grapes with seeds in them until, like, college? And that was only because my college bf was Asian American, so the ones his family would buy from a big Asian supermarket in DC had the seed ones / I had them in Japan while on exchange I remember being really surprised that there was such a thing as grapes with seeds hue I've had seeded grapes in the US before, but it was the giant grapes that you peel that got me. During my study abroad my host mother pulled out some giant grapes for us to eat and I was amazed that everyone peeled them before eating.
|
|
|
Post by cherriirin on Aug 1, 2023 8:51:49 GMT 9
i had this discussion in eikaiwa last night, but the fact that going on drives is a hobby here?? i guess because japan is so small that going on longer drives is more special? but as someone from texas, most of us are used to long commutes in our daily lives, so driving is more of an annoying necessity rather than something enjoyable
|
|
|
Post by zoomien on Aug 1, 2023 9:38:37 GMT 9
i had this discussion in eikaiwa last night, but the fact that going on drives is a hobby here?? i guess because japan is so small that going on longer drives is more special? but as someone from texas, most of us are used to long commutes in our daily lives, so driving is more of an annoying necessity rather than something enjoyable That is interesting, it may actually be based on how much traffic you have to deal with! Where I grew up we don't have that much traffic and going on a drive with your buddies, getting food and eating in the car, and enjoying each others company is a common way to spend an evening. At least for young people...
|
|
superalicat
CIRHP admin
CIRHP's Silver Swiftie
all's fair in 国際 and 交流
Posts: 7,794
CIR Experience: 3rd year
Location: Toyama
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
CHaos??: CHAOS
|
Post by superalicat on Aug 1, 2023 9:50:04 GMT 9
i had this discussion in eikaiwa last night, but the fact that going on drives is a hobby here?? i guess because japan is so small that going on longer drives is more special? but as someone from texas, most of us are used to long commutes in our daily lives, so driving is more of an annoying necessity rather than something enjoyable That is interesting, it may actually be based on how much traffic you have to deal with! Where I grew up we don't have that much traffic and going on a drive with your buddies, getting food and eating in the car, and enjoying each others company is a common way to spend an evening. At least for young people...same! some of my best memories of high school are just driving around and blasting music and maybe getting drive-thru from somewhere also bc we dont have toll roads out where i lived (next door state to cherriirin)
|
|
|
Post by Dee on Aug 1, 2023 13:45:47 GMT 9
i had this discussion in eikaiwa last night, but the fact that going on drives is a hobby here?? i guess because japan is so small that going on longer drives is more special? but as someone from texas, most of us are used to long commutes in our daily lives, so driving is more of an annoying necessity rather than something enjoyable When I lived in TX going for a drive was just annoying due to all the traffic, but when I lived in Utah for a few years, I loved just going to a drive up into the mountains.
|
|
|
Post by hikarikagayaku22 on Aug 2, 2023 11:41:20 GMT 9
I think some people might have mentioned it on Discord, but it never ceases to amaze me:
It can be shocking to see how much money many Japanese people are willing to drop on gear or items pertaining to their hobbies. And I'm not just referring to something like collecting Pokemon cards.
Even for hiking, out here where I live, I have seen families come in the newest, high-brand hiking gear with the full attire, hats, hiking backpacks, boots, trekking poles, you name it. While there are definitely some fams in the US who drop a lot of money on similar items for hiking, I guess I just find hiking a bit too risque for spending so much money on if something could happen to me and ruin my stuff. But I am low-key convinced some Japanese people, especially the younger ones, almost use hiking as an opportunity to wear the newest and expensive stuff to "show off" while they climb mountains or explore trails here.
These are just my two cents. What do you all think? Have you seen Japanese people spend a LOT of money on something that seems mundane to you?
|
|
|
Post by zoomien on Aug 2, 2023 11:57:57 GMT 9
These are just my two cents. What do you all think? Have you seen Japanese people spend a LOT of money on something that seems mundane to you? In my opinion, there is no better purpose for your extra money than spending it on your hobbies/what makes you happy. If someone only gets enjoyment from hiking by having high quality gear, then all power to them. Sure you could do a hike in sneakers and a school backpack, but things can be a LOT more comfortable with proper hiking shoes and a backpack designed with hiking in mind. On top of that, more expensive, high quality tend to last longer. I would rather spend a bunch of money on something I know is going to last me a long time, even with regular use and possible damage, than to spend less money and have to replace it more often. Of course this is not to gatekeep any hobbies by how much you spend, get what you can afford.
|
|
|
Post by hikarikagayaku22 on Aug 2, 2023 12:05:05 GMT 9
These are just my two cents. What do you all think? Have you seen Japanese people spend a LOT of money on something that seems mundane to you? In my opinion, there is no better purpose for your extra money than spending it on your hobbies/what makes you happy. If someone only gets enjoyment from hiking by having high quality gear, then all power to them. Sure you could do a hike in sneakers and a school backpack, but things can be a LOT more comfortable with proper hiking shoes and a backpack designed with hiking in mind. On top of that, more expensive, high quality tend to last longer. I would rather spend a bunch of money on something I know is going to last me a long time, even with regular use and possible damage, than to spend less money and have to replace it more often. Of course this is not to gatekeep any hobbies by how much you spend, get what you can afford. I like this, and I especially like how you mentioned what I wanted to originally allude in that yeah more money spent does often = better quality items. Maybe this was just my bad luck streak in the US, but I felt like whenever I spent more money on outdoor gear, my boots I did get and bags didn't last much longer than what I could have gotten for less. Tbf, I'm not nearly as familiar with Japanese brands tho, so maybe their reputation is a lot better and that's why people will spend that money. hue
|
|