Funny Little Cultural Things

Official Greeting:
Today I was officially introduced to all of the faculty and staff here at Sapientia University. The meeting was a little overwhelming, with 50+ people in attendance, and I was asked to give a short little introduction. But of course there were people to meet personally beforehand. When I first walked into the room I directed over to an older priest, as this is a Catholic school, who was at one time the President of this fine institution. After being introduced he, as have many others, commented on my large size; the difference was this: where most have simply looked up at me and said, “wow how tall are you?” he took it a step further and added, “and he’s fat.” When Yamane Sensei, a professor and director of my area, said, “You mean big. That’s the way to say it,” he resoundingly disagreed and said, “no fat. From eating too much.” Ha. These crazy people, so kind yet so outgoing! I wasn’t really outraged or even insulted, I just agreed and said something to the effect of, “well, that probably explains it.” And laughed under my breath.
It wasn’t the first time that I have experienced something like this, but it was the most open and…I guess, “honest,” of my encounters. It’s odd here because so many people are not afraid to say what they think, and really none of it has been offensive. I guess that the people of Japan are just in the habit of looking out for the best interests of the group. Maybe it’s an archaic form of “tough-love.” Even if they are making fun, or berating me I can’t really understand what they say; so no real hard feelings, okay little guy?

My Mistake:
The other day I was riding on one of the many packed subways around here when I noticed that there was a pregnant woman standing directly in front of me, as I was sitting down. I then got up and gestured that she take my seat. She quickly turned it down; I then felt obligated that I had offered it to just her and not to one of the many people standing around me…so I offered it to anyone; and they all turned it down. I felt kind of confused. Why hadn’t any of them taken my seat? Did I smell? Odd.
For the remainder of the ride I found myself just looking around and at one time my attention was directed at the stomach of the woman in front of me. At this point I became happy that I didn’t speak Japanese, because if I had I might have originally asked the woman to sit down if not for herself then for the baby. Which she didn’t have; she wasn’t pregnant, she just had a pouch. Whoops.

Interesting habits of those utilizing mass transit in the country of Japan:
1. They sleep anywhere and in anyway. I have now seen men asleep not only standing up, but holding onto their belongings as well as the support handle attached to the ceiling of the train. Other, more common, methods of sleeping on the train usually entail the individual just sitting there drooling on themselves, or if you are lucky, the person next to them.
2. Drunk men. People often drink a lot after the work day, not at the college of course, but more often the business class. These men then have to get home somehow; so they take the train. While riding the train it is often to have them stare at, or if circumstances permit, grope the young women standing close to them (mind you, the trains are often packed). I have been told stories of these men also vomiting while making their way home (to a loved one that is no doubt oh so happy to see them).
3. Proper etiquette while riding a train is to mind your own business. Situation: someone falls. Common Reaction: Don’t help them. I guess that the thought behind this is that they have two legs, why not use ‘em? Again with the tough love.
4. Pornography is pretty common, not that anyone likes to talk about it, but it is (and no I don’t have any…). There are many different forms in which this pornography can come in; with the most popular being that of Manga, this is a type of illustrated or graphic novel. I guess that it may be a little harsh to call it “pornography,” but it is quite pornographic in nature. This I know because often while riding the train many business men have no problem in reading these publications. Maybe I am a little nosey, but I just like to think of it as truly observing the culture.

A quick note on Drinking:
As my good friend Kelly Cram recently pointed out on her own Blogger (http://bellavera.blogspot.com) places that allow one to take a drink with them or simply to consume in public are usually more fun, or at least you are not always tied down to one location. With this in mind I would like to point out a few interesting facts on drinking in Japan.
1. You can drink just about anywhere. There are vending machines on the street that sell anything from a can of beer, to a can of gin and tonic, to whiskey and water, to a liter of beer. All that is required is correct change. After you buy the alcohol you can crack it open and be on your merry little way.
2. To my knowledge, not that I would ever imagine thinking about committing such an act, there are no Public Intoxication laws on the island. I may be wrong but I am told by a Japanese peer that people do not get arrested for urinating or for vomiting in public (therefore the man on the train is not stopped, or corrected by anyone for yakking in public…interesting. Mike Boyle, this place would be some sort of strange asylum for you. Ha.)
3. Japanese don’t drink too much. Oh, they drink often, but they do not drink too much. Before coming here I was told that Sake, rice wine, was very strong and that I should be careful when consuming it. Bollocks. It is only 20% Alcohol by Volume, making it about the same as Baileys or any other liquor or wine. I am still cautious though mom, and I only have half a glass…promise. But then there was Sho-Chu, Sake’s big brother. This liquor is a combination of rice and barley malts and it is a little stronger, but still quite “maycha maycha oshea,” or very, very tasty.
Enough for today. I am sure that I will make many more note worthy observations but I think that this is enough for today. I hope that you all enjoy and I look to hearing from…someone. Just leave a comment or e-mail. I am starving for attention. So the three of you that actually read this please leave a comment or e-mail me…not to seem desperate or anything, I just want a little attention…come on what’s the problem? Don’t you love me? You said that you’d love me forever…it’s your fault they shot Old Yeller. Thanks so much.