As soon as you cross the border, the rich scent of culture fills the air.
I used to commute to Baja Mexico every week, sometimes every day, crossing the border. The job wasn't very interesting, but I looked forward to enjoying Mexico every time I crossed by car.
Wabyo is 'a mental disorder notably seen in Japanese people, where one becomes obsessed with invisible "harmony" (bonds, unity, solidarity, trust), perceives anything that disrupts it as evil, and loses the ability to think—resulting in a state of suspension of thought.'
In a word, it seems to be a unique form of peer pressure, but I believe each instance has its own underlying motive.
Effective use of Japanese disease Read More »
In recent years, terms like ANGER MANAGEMENT have become widespread, and in a world where all instances of losing one's temper are labeled as "evil"... this is a story about that.
How to Lose Your Temper (COACHING) Read More »
The other day, I went to get my car's oil changed. While I was sitting in the waiting room, a young mechanic approached me. "Huh, did something happen?" I thought, and asked him what was going on.
"Um, the oil filler cap (where you pour the oil) is broken, and I can't proceed with the work unless we replace it."
"Seriously?"
White and Black Lies Read More »
In any country, there are good people and evil people; this is true for Japanese and non-Japanese alike, it's about individuals. If there are problems, please discuss and resolve them as individuals under laws and systems, seriously. I see people who blame foreigners residing in the country when the country's internal affairs are not going well, and it's truly disgusting.
Shifting Blame to Foreigners Residing in Japan Read More »
Mexicans are kind and fun. Above all, the food is delicious. Their human quality is high. The culture is also interesting; although Spain conquered them, the unique culture of the indigenous people remained and blended. For example, when you go to the hospital, they apparently prescribe local traditional medicines, like 'Chinese herbal medicine,' within the context of Western medicine.
(Photo is a painting I drew on a surfboard made for me in San Diego long ago)
I used to be so eager to improve my surfing that I'd write it in my notebook every time and set daily goals. There was no YouTube back then, so I'd buy DVDs at local shops and watch them so many times that the gloss would wear off, haha.
Surfing is getting started Read More »
I was thinking in the US.
I originally didn't have the program for racial discrimination. Whether white, black, or Asian... well, they're all just 'gaijin' to me, period.
Racial discrimination = program Read More »
(The photo is of the center of CATANIA, Sicily. When you are with a baby, uncles and aunts dote on you immensely, without asking, lol. They touch the baby's face without hesitation. This wasn't the case in America. They are very kind people.)
Possibility of Keigo (Italian) Read More »
When you ask what Americans are like, they are truly diverse, and generalization is impossible. Just like in any country, there are amazingly good people and bad people. However, looking at them through my hazy eyes as a foreigner, I certainly see a 'certain color' there.
What a Lakota person taught me about 'What on earth are Americans like?' Read More »
This morning, I laughed in retrospect.
A while ago in Italy, a friend asked me: "In Japan, the 893 (Yakuza) in manga usually have scars on their cheeks or missing fingers, but what are they like in Italy?"
My friend replied, "Hmm, let me see... they usually limp."
Laughing in retrospect (Story about Italian Yakuza) Read More »
...Drugs? Crime? Scary, isn't it. The street price is how much? Scary. The yakuza connection? If you get caught, your life is ruined, isn't it. A street check? Scary.
Of course, I live in Japan now, so I don't do it.