Some things about the Japanese

Japan is that kind of place that despite being in the East the culture is so Westernised that it feels a bit like being in London or Croydon or even Slough. There are however a few cultural differences that need to be noted:

All Japanese embrace technology, from young to old, the mobile is king, but when you see how long it takes to write a text in Japanese you realise why they spend so long on their phones, If they are not texting they are playing a game. All mobiles are 'clam-shell' mobiles but they are really, really cool. and the thinner and more angular the better. All phones MUST have at least 3 'dangles' hanging off them. I believe these are 'lucky charms' but everyone has them, young to old. Some people's dangles are larger than the phone itself.

All Japanese girls are 'Kookie'. Socks up to the knees, feet turned in, dangles hanging off mobile phones, teddies hanging off bags. A new fashion seems to be dressing like 'Little Bo Peep' and we have seen several other nursery rhyme characters wandering around the cities.

Ladies Shoes should be as high, pointy and sparkly as possible. The style of which would look more than a bit 'Sharonny' on any Westerner. The problem is that most Japanese ladies have wide, flat, turned in feet, hence they are unable to walk in said shoes.

Saying that though, the Japanese have a tendancy to look very cool. They can get away with a dress code that no Western person would ever dare. Hats are pretty much obligatory on the 25 to 35 year old casuals, knee high socks do look great, orange hair would appear to be the way forward. I am even warming to drainpipe jeans. In my book, Little Bo Peep is still a definate No-No though.

When posing for a photograph it is essential to make a 'PEACE V' sign with your fingers. No photo is complete without one. Apparently.

Politeness. The Japanese are more English than the English as far as politeness goes. Queueing is essential even when boarding the tube, you should stand in designated queuing spots. Politeness is paramount and bowing is as natural as breathing. People bow if they check your train ticket, say hello, give you your change, or just step in front of you on a busy street.

Japanese men are not small. This is an urban myth. In fact, in Tokyo most of them are positively tall. However, most entrances are small. Ben has been caught out by the small doorways many times over the last few weeks and is now not quite right in the head because of them. However, the small doorways are not, as he thought, there simply to annoy him, but rather because you should bow as you enter a room.

Falling asleep. We have seen many sleeping Japanese. In the most unusual places. The arcade, (where you need to shout to be heard), slumped against the fruit machine, in the ATM room outside the post office, in the foyer at the Park Hyatt. These sleeping japanese are usually suited and booted.

Pinging. Everything pings at you. All the time. Escalators, doors, pedestrian crossings, lifts, loo seats, trains, shop, toys, etc. And for no discernable reason other than just that they can.

Arcades Are full all the time, with kids at the weekend and with business men during the week. There seems to be a spending problem. People have more money than is strictly neccessary and feel the need to spend it on computer games, (shooting, football, fighting, DJ-ing, drumming, guitarring, gambling, slot machines, one arm bandits, casino), everything in this country is made into a computerised game. Including darts. No doubt there will be a 'sleeping in a busy arcade' game soon.

Talking and communicating. Everytime you enter a shop or restaurant, you are welcomed with the words 'irasshai' or 'irasshaimase', (May I help You), and although it may be obvious to the Japanese person that you are Western and have no grasp whatsoever of the Japanese language, anyone you come across will chat away to you in Japanese. I have taken it upon myself to chat away back to them in English. We have no idea what each other is saying, but at least the pleasantries are being taken seriously. For all I know our conversation may actually make some sense.

The are no bins. Anywhere.

Loo Culture. The Japanese have embraced the western style toilet in a way that should make any European thoroughly ashamed of themselves. The majority of Western style toilets are fitted with a seat warmer and 'bidet' settings. Spray, shower, osccilating, drying. I'm surprised there isn't a 'wipe with soft Andrex' setting. It has become so natural to have a warm seat that I actually jumped when I sat on a cold one.