Posted in: More than 200 stolen items of women's underwear found in man's apartment See in context
Why not just buy them on the Internet? This is a violation of private space and it is sick--some commenters here are not taking it seriously.
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Posted in: U.S. airlines boost performance, but passengers' complaints still rising See in context
The passengers are often the biggest problem. Please have a little etiquette card in each seat pocket, rather than all that advertising.
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Posted in: Divorce among elderly couples surging See in context
57 and 60 equals "elderly"?
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Posted in: Death by overwork on rise among Japan's vulnerable workers See in context
This is partly due to fear of outsourcing all the extra tasks that develop on the worksite--might mean hiring part-timers incl. minorities and women.
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Posted in: How did your perception of Japan change after visiting the country? Or, if you haven't been here yet, what's your general image of Japan? See in context
I am tired of this same old question, but there are some good answers here.
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Posted in: Danes, once again, take top spot in world happiness report See in context
Except for those cartoons.
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Posted in: One-third of working women in Japan sexually harassed: study See in context
Also doesn't help that some people think it's OK to call women and racial minorities by first names without "san", whereas men are called by last name with title, like the old days in the US. Creates hierarchical thinking.
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Posted in: Madonna fans See in context
Hey young ones: I challenge to do any of Madonna's athletic moves. On stage. While singing. Don't forget the high heels.
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Posted in: Man arrested after hiding in drain to peep up skirts See in context
It's winter. It's cold. Women wear thick tights under their skirts anyway. Big deal.
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Posted in: Why is teaching at English conversation schools in Japan such a maligned profession by some people? See in context
It's a noble profession inside the classroom for those who take it seriously. Outside, people mistake you for a missionary with nothing else to live for except praising cute eikaiwa gigglers who have no respect for your free time.
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Posted in: Michelle Obama to make first official visit to Japan in March See in context
Sasha and Malia will be the superstars.
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Posted in: Japan's global PR message could misfire with focus on wartime past See in context
A Korean House or Japan House isn't necessarily a propaganda unit--it depends on the broader concept of education held by a country. Do their leaders want to promote many perspectives across several disciplines, or just brainwash? American Studies in academia is a field where most scholars are very critical of American power.
But I think readers of this column know about the extent of Japan's interest in multidisciplinary scholarship and freedom of speech (and it is not encouraging).
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Posted in: The most annoying people you’ll meet at a Japanese fitness gym See in context
People in a vibe of self-improvement and when they see the gaijin, mistake him/her for a machine that they can work out their eikaiwa on.
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Posted in: How do you feel when you speak fluent or reasonably good Japanese to a Japanese person and they insist on answering you in English? See in context
The degree to which a foreigner is pressured to practice English depends on that person's degree of match to the stereotypical Eikaiwa sensei: light-skinned, with not too loud of a voice, and not too tall or overweight. People in this category get pressured, yes, even harassed, in situations where they can't escape: work, school, friendship situations. It's tolerable for a year or two and then it drives you crazy. In short, people associate race with language and seek out the vulnerable.
1 ( +1 / -0 )
Posted in: How do you feel when you speak fluent or reasonably good Japanese to a Japanese person and they insist on answering you in English? See in context
In my home country when a Japanese national speaks flawed English to me, I feel obligated to speak English at that person's level to help that person out. It is irritating when the same favor isn't returned here. But when others do speak Japanese, it feels really friendly and welcoming. The most irritating of all is when you are with someone with an Asian face and the person you are talking to only looks at the other Asian face and refuses to make eye contact or have anything to do with you.
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Posted in: Solitary seniors who seek soul mates descend into stalking See in context
I have had problems with the same generation aggressively stalking me for English lessons. I consider it stalking when they refuse "no" more than 5 times and begin to follow me.
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Posted in: 'Frozen' on track to become 3rd-highest-grossing film in Japan See in context
The SDF band played it in a parade. Seriously.
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Posted in: Modern etiquette: Doors, elevators and escalators See in context
No mention of Ladies First! Nothing worse than being on a crowded elevator in Japan and some middle-aged businessman tries to show off his Westernization by making everyone stop so "ladies" get off first. At least Mary Mitchell is writing from the 21st century.
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Posted in: Welcome kiss
I don't see the service as anything to brag about. On a recent trip back home, I was very surprised…
Posted in: Is the new shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Posted in: Biden suggests he may block Nippon Steel deal, seeks to triple tariffs on Chinese steel
Posted in: Bears designated as animal subject to subsidized culling in Japan