Things That Are Weird

Living in Japan is weird. Way weird. Some days are weirder than others, while some days it's like I just stepped around the corner and entered the Little Tokyo of San Diego. Other times it's like I just stepped around the corner and entered the Little Saigon masquerading as Little Manila masquerading as an electronic center masquerading as Little Tokyo.

I have quite an extensive list of things that are weird/make me scratch my head/defy common sense and logic, but I'll ease you in slowly with a few.

Without further ado, and in no particular order, I give  you: Things that are weird!

1.      If banks close at 3pm during the week and aren’t open at all on the weekends, how is the common man supposed to accomplish anything? Also, why the heck do I have to sign up for internet banking?! ‘Merica:+1, Japan: 0

2.        For a country that likes to play temperature extremes ping pong, why aren’t houses better insulated (I can hear my neighbor snoring….)? Single pane windows (drafts/noise/temperature leeching) and single drywall sheets are all the rage. C’mon Japan! I’ve stayed decent-to-swanky hotel rooms here and I’ve not heard a peep from other rooms. The ability is there, so put it to practice!

3.       For a country that is prone to mildew EVERYWHERE why are things built in such a way as to practically invite mildew in? I’m talking about weird lips on toilet bowls and strange raised drains with disgusting,  half inch-to-an-inch- moats around them. And why in the name of the Jolly Buddha do most bathrooms not have even a tiny, Japan-sized-friendly window? Methinks the mildew problem would be a lot easier to treat if, you know, you had proper ventilation in the room that needs it the most….

4.       For a country that is all about rigidly separating trash and “going green” with energy cuts, why is every item from produce to snacks to everyday items wrapped both individually and in an excessive amount of plastic wrap and Styrofoam? I am practically swimming in plastic and recyclables every week!

5.        Why are fruits wrapped in Styrofoam and plastic wrap? You can’t figure out if it’s ripe or not! On top of that, produce here is so ridiculously expensive. I forgot about that. My body sure isn’t going to forget the gout and scurvy I come down with.

6.        Sunscreen is sold in tiny, 3 ounce travel bottles for $10. Wait, isn’t this the land of trying to achieve pearly white skin? Where women wear visors, carry umbrellas for the sun, and wear opera length gloves?

7.        Embarrassment bags? So if I buy something scandalous, even if it’s just a necessary monthly lady product, the cashier will put it in a black or non-see through bag. Awesome. Now everyone knows I bought something whose true identity might make me flustered. If it was just put into a regular shopping bag, the dude on the train wouldn’t be peering into my groceries trying to figure out what the hell I just bought to compliment the shaving cream, carrots and hot sauce I'm carrying.