The more time I spend here, the more 'rules of etiquette' I pick up.
Here's a few new 'rules' to remember while in Japan:
1. In Japanese society it is unacceptable to show the soles of your shoes. You should always sit with both feet on the floor.
2. don't eat or drink while walking around, it is considered rude and can be messy - which they cannot tolerate. If you have garbage, you will have a difficult time finding a trash can. There are no trash cans on city streets or in subway terminals.
3. take off your shoes before entering a dwelling. If you step on a carpeted surface, you will quickly be reminded.
4. When in restaurants, whisper or don't talk.
5. ONLY use chopsticks to pick up your food - don't use your fingers!
I wonder what rules the Japanese discover upon entering the United States - I imagine we have some that we don't even think about....
About their trash - the japanese collect their trash through a vaccuum system underneath the cities. This trash is burned in huge incinerators - the energy that results from burning is turned into electricity to power their buildings.
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5 comments:
Hi Lori,
I love your blog. Lots of great comments and fantastic pictures. My question is, what do they do with all of the vending machine waste if there aren't any trash cans?
I read once that the Japanese people cherish their gardens because they are the only places they have that are private . . . they can visit them and "go to their happy place" to destress. Is this true?
How's the weather been? You also mentioned not seeing any animals . . . do they have pets?
We'll have to plan a homecoming meal for you . . .a meat and potatoes kind of thing. Wait, I've got it: whole hog sausage, mashed potatoes, kraut, green beans and all the pie you can eat? Meet me at the dining hall:-)
Mary
Hi Lori,
I love your blog! I am so proud of you for taking this adventure!
Lori,
Things here aren't quite as exciting as eating seaweed for breakfast and underground trash vacuums but the end of the quarter came and went, parent/teacher conferences were survived, and I am keeping my legs crossed to hold this baby in until you return. =)
Mary -
Thanks for reading my blog! I've just arrived back in Tokyo, so I'm finally getting around to reading it.
The vending machine waste is a problem. I carried mine around with me until I went inside a building and found a trash can. Even in the restrooms there are no ppaper towels to wipe your hands, and there are few fast food places. They do widely recycle here, though.
The weather is great - it will be hard to come back home to cold weather!
I think the gardens are for calming. There is very little nature here, there are so many people packed in to one place. Very few people in Tokyo get a chance to be around nature.
Melanie - I've been thinking about you and wondering if that little one is here yet. I can't wait to hold (him?).
This has been an amazing adventure - I can't wait to tell you all about it!
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