Renegades!

Top Ten Things I Learned In Japan

My days in the Land of the Rising Sun are coming to an end, so I'm running down some simple lessons I have taken in:

10. In Japan, a customer at any pub/restaurant is required to first declare "Itadakimasu!" as word of thanks before eating and then eat every last grain of rice left in any given bowl. To accomplish this task given only chopsticks, hold the bowl sideways while pressing the chopsticks flat against the inner surface of the bowl and scrape the rice out.

I don't speak Japanese, but I can sure eat Japanese.

9. Liberally apply social grease in any social interaction. Being polite and deferrential goes a long way towards harmony. There's your moment of zen.

8. Bowing is cooler than shaking hands. A cool combination of the two methods is even better. If you can work in a smile and "pounds out", then you're the man.

7. Green space is important. You never really appreciate it until you don't have it anymore...They paved paradise, to put up a Paschinko parlour.

6. Be patient... except if you are wearing a different country's logos and gear.. Then by all means go to town..."Damn those Norwegians. So impatient!"

5. If you ever think minorities are overly sensitive about their status or tribulations, just try living as one for a while.

Know what I'm sayin', J-Roc?

4. Never try to 'wing it' from Kansai Airport to your 'hood. If it should only take 90 minutes, it could damn near take 8 hours and a sore back if you don't know what you are doing.

3. Acoustic guitars are more awe-inducing than any other instrument....just don't bother trying to take one through the Osaka subway system during rush hour.

2. Get out of your comfort zone and stay outside it--that's my submission for a "No Fear" t-shirt slogan, anyway.

1. Gambatte! Attempting to do your best will determine success more than natural ability, or aptitude. "Gambatte" translated into Canadian is roughly:

"Go hard 'r go home, eh?"

posted by Shamrocks! @ 12:04 AM