General

Aug 24 2004 4 Comments

V for Vuitton

Most major brands do well in label loving Japan, but Louis Vuitton is arguably the top dog. Seemingly for a large percentage of the female population, a Louis Vuitton bag is not just desirable, but practically compulsory.

Personally I think the brand is decidedly ugly, but judging by these knowledgeable shoppers, it just goes to show how much I know.

Obviously there aren’t people queuing outside the Louis Vuitton shop everyday, but from the number of Vuitton branded bags seen around Tokyo, it wouldn’t be surprising if there were.

Aug 23 2004 4 Comments

U for urinating

Not just urinating in general though, but actually doing it away from a lavatorial environment.

Now in Tokyo there are many things that you are expected not to do in public, as for whatever reasons they are deemed socially unacceptable. So blowing your nose is out. As is eating on the train. Likewise kissing in the open is simply not the done thing.

Urinating wherever you please however is just fine. Of course I’m not saying that people are pissing here there and everywhere, but at the same time it’s not unusual to see a barely concealed gentleman emptying the contents of his bladder for all to see.

Still, as long as he isn’t blowing his nose or eating at the same time, I guess it’s ok…

Inspiration?

Aug 20 2004 3 Comments

T for toilets

Thankfully it would appear that the Japanese style toilet is slowly being phased out. Although that doesn’t mean there aren’t a fair few of them left. Way too many for my liking that’s for sure.

I always remember when I first arrived in Japan, and feeling a, ahem, call of nature approaching, I went into the nearest toilet. But on opening the cubicle door I was confronted with one of these devices.

In a state of I-need-to-go-to-the-tiolet-but-really-don’t-want-to-use-this-contraption, I frantically opened the next cubicle door and was (for want of a better word) relieved to find a lavatory of the western persuasion. Seeing that reassuring bowl was a special moment indeed. Having never had a religious experience, I can only assume that it must be something along the same lines. Or perhaps I exaggerate. A little…

Since then I’m happy to say that my fear of the squatting toilet has diminished somewhat, but I still avoid them if it’s in any way possible. If for no other reason that for me personally they are simply not as comfortable. Although that said, squatting requires well-developed thighs, and each visit carries with it the danger (however slim) of soiling your pants in the process. This link (which I’ve used before) highlights this and other dangers, and at the same time takes you through the basic maneuvers.

Easy does it!

Aug 19 2004 Leave a Comment

S for speeches

For such a reserved, and quite often shy race, when it comes to formal occasions it’s seemingly impossible to shut the Japanese up. Whether it be a meal, sporting event, or anything else for that matter, the proceedings are always started (and quite often ended) with a long, tedious, and generally humourless speech.

Perhaps the epitome of this is the school graduation ceremony, when the kids potentially high spirits are ground down by numerous lengthy and soul-destroying speeches. Ideally preparing the youngsters for the long hours and tedious existence of Japanese corporate life.

Perhaps.

Aug 18 2004 5 Comments