Generally, I find the idea of creating and maintaining a blog abhorrent. I've tried it once before and the overall experience left me anxious and insensibly self critical. In large part, these feelings stemmed from knowing that people could read my posts and judge how I wrote and what I wrote. I had started a blog to start a blog and didn't have anything in particular to write about and I knew people would recognize that. However, this time around, I have content. I swear. During my first few weeks in Tokyo I've wanted to write and share my experiences with friend and family, but have hesitated to do so because the blog-related anxiety persists...so what gives?! I guess it's some deep-seeded need to always try and get and A+ in whatever I do (#thanksmom #tigermom #jkmymomwasntatigermom #havewedecidediftigermomisaderogatorytermornot) which I know is impossible in this blog-filled world of Jessica Steins, Chiaras, 12hrs and perhaps most impressively, Lonely Cheetos. But somebody - soiled in mediocrity and smelling of the inherently average - has to fill up the middle of the pack, so, without further adieu, #indiainjapan.
...
Just sentences ago, I swore I had content and I really, really think I do. Here are 3 things I've noticed or learned about Japan since arriving that I think are worth sharing:
1. Literally everything is wrapped. Everything. Down to each individual q-tip in my bathroom. You want to buy one onion? Guess what, it's wrapped. With a gold bow to tie it shut. How about 3 carrots? A bushel of bananas? A pack of tooth pics? All. Individually. Wrapped. I'll add photographic evidence when I'm back from Singapore but for now, you'll just have to take my word for it. Perhaps this culture of wrapping explains the low birth rate (it's a sex joke, people, get it?!).
2. Cameras on phones always make a loud shutter noise when you take a picture, even when your phone is on mute. This loud shutter sound prevents me from taking SnapChats of men with their man purses (which for the record, I'm totally in favor of), but, more importantly, stems from a government-lead effort to prevent pervs from taking pictures up people's skirts (which I'm also totally in favor of). Molestation and how it's reported - or isn't reported - is a huge problem in Japan, and it's a topic that warrants it's own, more serious, less hashtag filled post.
3. Most stuff just has a little bit more thought put into it than it does in the States. For example, when you buy a car cup of gum, it comes with a tiny pad of post-it notes inside so you can dispose of your gum like a civilized human being. Like, seriously, Wrigley's?! You've been around since 1891 and cinnamon roll flavored gum is the most innovative thing you can come up with?!
Well, to end this like all my business emails,
以上、宜しくお願いいたします。
India
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