Text 16894, 64 rader
Skriven 2005-11-24 13:00:23 av Carol Shenkenberger (6:757/1)
  Kommentar till text 16843 av Michiel van der Vlist (2:280/5555)
Ärende: Re: Back!
=================
*** Quoting Michiel van der Vlist from a message to Carol Shenkenberger ***

MvdV>> Here we also have two line plates. They are 34 x 21 cm.

 > Seems odd to me but ok.  I am sure there is a use for that type too.

MvdV> It depends on the car. Most cars can fit the standard 52 x 11 cm plate
MvdV> Some, like the one in the picture are designed for a plate that is les
MvdV> wide and a bit taller:

Ok, makes sense.  USA folks are used to just one plate size which is apparently
a bit taller and quite a bit less wide?  I've seen other variations though and
it works just fine.  I think it's Korea where they are the most variation? 
Not sure as i travel so much that i may easily be mixing countries.  There's
one though where they are almost sorta square.

I also seem to recall Vladivostok had the smallest plates.

MvdV>> Here too, but there is a small extra digit indicating it is a r

 > Not here.  Same plate.  I gather you have to wait a month or
 > so to get it and use a temp plate enclosed in plastic til it
 > arrives.

MvdV> O, no. You go to the nearest police station to report the loss of the
MvdV> plate and with their report you can go to a registred plate manufactur
MvdV> They can make you a temp replacement in a matter of hours. Some evem w
MvdV> you wait.

It isnt so fast here.  Thats ok.  Japan lives by Japan rules as one learns
after living here.  Thats the same everywhere that the rules will differ in
some respects.  The Japanese find it fine to wait for the plate to come back
and it's not really all that much hassle.

The only real hassle here is the cultural gap on phone systems and what is
expected to get one and pay for one as well as the services provided.  It's a
wierd to me mix of excellent at high cost and terrible on the ease of getting
and paying for one.  How'd you like to have to walk to the local store to pay
the bill vice being able to automate it or just send a check?  If you are
Japanese you can automate it but the kicker is you have to use a Japanese bank
and you cant automate you pay to go to a japanese bank.  Still, for all the
things I can find here that are awkward, I can find one that is less awkward.
It evens out.

Neat on your replacement plates!  I've never had one damaged here so my
experience is vicarious (driven by others if that word isnt common enough to
be notable for you).

Just curious but have you ever lived longish term in a place other than the
netherlands?  I figure you'd be aware of Europe things in a sort of vicarious
way but never asked if you've lived elsewhere.  If not, it's both great and
frustrating at the same time.  Kinda got to 'go with the flow' but finding out
how the flow works can be awkward.

Grin, Japan and the most frustrating part can be the inate politeness.  See,
they never want to say 'no' so will direct you to another if they can not
provide something.  That sounds cool at the start but the downside is if what
you want just isnt available, you get redirected over and over into a circular
hell.

                                       xxcarol

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