Apples and Oranges

They just do things a little differently here.

I would like to take a moment to share some of the strange and wonderful things that they do in Japan that are different from the states.

1. Packaging- It's an art here. I once bought a chocolate. One chocolate. It was a quick treat on the way to a school. Clearly when someone buys one chocolate it can be assumed that they mean to enjoy the chocolate themselves. Not in Japan, the woman behind the counter took the single chocolate, wrapped it in cellophane, then put it in a small gift bag, tied a ribbon around it, put the gift bag in a box, tied a ribbon around that, and then put the box in a bag and sealed it with a golden sticker. One chocolate. She did it all so fast that I never got the chance to explain that I was going to open it on the train and consume it immediately. Side note- it took me about ten minutes to open it.

2. Coffee- In the States trays in restaurants are used to transport food and beverages from one place to another. Usually when the food has arrived at it's final destination we abandon the tray and deposit the delicious substances on our table in preparation for consumption. In Japan, if you go to any coffee shop aside from Starbucks, they place your coffee, water, milk, sugar syrup (they rarely use table sugar only sweet syrup), and spoon on a tray. You take the tray to the table and if you take the items off the tray you are an untidy slob. I look around and all the locals keep their items on the trays at all times. I know it's a little funny to mention this but I feel like a Gypsy if I don't settle into my coffee and abandon the tray. I apologize if there are any Gypsies reading my blog, I only meant that I feel like they don't want me to stay and enjoy my beverage.

3. Benches and Trash cans- There aren't any.
About a decade ago there were trash can bombings in the London subways, well after that Japan got rid of most of it's public waist disposal facilities. Now the general public is usually expected to hang on to their trash until they reach their own personal disposal units.
Benches, why don't they have any place to just sit and people watch? During a nice sunny day off sometimes I get the urge to find a nice bench and sit and enjoy a snack and a good book. Out of luck. Maybe they don't want people loitering or maybe they have something against old men and ladies feeding pidgins but benches are an anomaly.

4. Vending machines- They are everywhere! This is super convenient. Serving up seasonal drinks both hot and cold.

5. Japanese Convenience stores- they are amazing! In one location one can pay their electric bill, mail a letter, make a copy, print pictures, pick up some lunch and an ice cold beverage. It's wonderful.
I do have one complaint though, no slurpies.

Well those are just five of the fun little differences in Japan. I have many many more to recount another time.

Thank you so much for tuning in.