Text 8963, 54 rader
Skriven 2006-12-18 13:24:19 av Carol Shenkenberger (6:757/1)
   Kommentar till text 8921 av DAVE SACERDOTE (1:123/140)
Ärende: Re: Chook-Fil-A
=======================
*** Quoting DAVE SACERDOTE from a message to CAROL SHENKENBERGER ***

CS> Here in Japan, the downside can be just like that at times.  
CS> Seldom in Sasebo, but have had some less than spectacular 
CS> experiences in a few places outside this area.  Kagoshima.  
CS> One bar refused to serve me. . .

DS> As much as I admire the Japanese, it's pretty well understood that
DS> they are quite xenophobic, and your experience as a gaijin is not
DS> uncommon.  I've heard far worse from other travelers.

Yes, happens.  I dont let it color my feelings for the people though as they
are actualy a minority of the population who act that way.

A smile goes a very long way and is univerally understood. A good bit of why I
have so much fun here, is we accept that 'Japan way in Japan is best' and just
enjoy or accept what we experience.

I saw some rude Americans in the airport.  They didnt mean to be rude, but they
were very new and didnt know better.  At the China Cafe, a family of 3 kids
were there and were not only too loud (not that you have to whisper but a
normal voice is expected) but didnt have better food eating skills than a
McDonalds.  The kids were grabbing noodles out of their bowls with their hands
for example then drying them on their pants.

Such behavior will rapidly turn off the Japanese and such people later find
they do not enjoy Japan due to the early receptions they get from their own
bad actions.  They tend to stay 'on base' after a week or so.

To absolve me, I did go over and quietly explain, but they didnt want to listen
though the waiter realized we tried as well as many others there.  Charlotte
got gifted with a lesson in chopsticks and how to 'properly' accept a
chopstick to chopstick food from another from a lady (who most pointedly
looked at the rude folks for a moment).  I didnt know there was a special way
for that and had been handing off bits the wrong way but obviously was
trainable <g>.  Close enough we didnt offend anyone with our eating habits at
all.

My minor mistake BTW was I was reversing the ends of the chopsticks to hand the
food off which is normal when putting food to a personal dish out of a
communal one.  Apparently not normal when handing food off to a child from
'mommies plate'.  I think you also use a slightly different angle making the
food horizontal but I am not clear on that.

DS> relatively tolerant area of the country. I've never been into any 
DS> "ethnic" shop in any neighborhood where I haven't been made to feel
DS> welcome.

It's often a matter of attitude.  No secret handshake required <g>.

                                       xxcarol

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 * Origin: SHENK'S EXPRESS, Sasebo Japan 81-6160-527330 (6:757/1)