That is soooo Japanese....

Have I already titled a post this? If not, I should have. I can't say Paul and I had any culture shock, really. We weren't THAT surprised by anything, but I have to say that the longer I'm here, the more that shock hits me. Mostly, it's funny.....but sometimes it just bothers.... Many of you have asked for a quick generalization of 'how it is' from time to time, and I just usually say, "well, it's strange, stupid, and just what you'd imagine.....then there's somethings that you would never have imagined...."

I saw the funniest thing ever....the thing that I have to say was the most shocking, and sooooo Japanese.... I wished so much to have lost that little angel on my shoulder for a couple seconds just so I could've snapped a shot of it. Paul and I were walking down an arcade--a covered walkway that functions as a mall, stretching between stations--late at night when I saw a bum. Bums don't really stand out too too much here. I think it has a lot to do with the crazy propoganda these people are fed and then feed to us about not ever seeing bums, and how every man is for himself. Anyhow, this bum was truely Japanese--he had an MP3 player....heehee I had to look twice....

Now, for a less light-hearted "sooo Japanese" story. Today, Paul and I went to get cell phones. We held off for as long as we could, because we didn't and still don't see them incredibly necessary as we have about the same schedule, we live in walking distance of everything we need to get, and so on. We had to get them just now, because I'm about to apply for a job, and I need a phone number for the application. It's sort of a dumb reason, I know, but we saw no other way. Normally, we put our corporate office number on things, but obviously, that won't work here. Anyhow, I think I may have mentioned at some point my frustration with Nova for not using computers...for teacher's easy, but also just for their practical use in keeping records, for example. Well, banks don't use computers, either...they keep records completely on paper! Well, to add to that, you don't just carry around your ever so trusty signature, but you must carry your "honko" (a stamp with your name in katakana--the phonetic alphabet used to write foreign words) to every signature-necessitating event such as setting up as bank account. Did I mention it takes like fifty years because of these two sooo Japanese points? Our little day trip to get phones lasted...I me is lasting...way longer than it should take any visit to any business in which customer service is important. Well, at least they gave us juice. Soooo, Paul doesn't know where his honko is. Who cares?! You can get a new one made for just 5000 yen (ok, so maybe you can get a new one cheaper, but most people buy crazy expensive ones). Anyhow, we just learn not to carry around important-possible-identity-stealing-aides where I'm from....how often do you carry around your birth certificate?? We don't have phones, but someday, if we're lucky, we may get these. Until then, Paul and I will live inefficiently--waiting for each other, just missing each other, and so on.....