Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on April 2013
GROWING PAINS
Regarding “A Fitting Concern” (The Last Word, Mar 15): While I’m far from NBA-huge, I’ve had many of the same daily challenges. For one, I haven’t been able to see myself brush my teeth for two decades (the mirror is only chin high). The counters in the kitchen have me stooped over like an octogenarian Japanese woman. As for clothes, I’ve had a devil of a time trying to squeeze my thighs into trousers that are my relatively slim waist size. But, on the other hand, Japan is one of the most convenient places to live. There is, for example, a shelf just before the checkout counter at convenience stores to rest your bag when you pay. You can pay with large bills, and you can get change anywhere. IC cards make commuting, buying drinks, and so on a breeze. Ditto with cellphones. Most packages are cleverly designed for ease of opening. You can find coin lockers everywhere (try that in San Francisco). No hassles at airports. Sending money is just an ATM away. You can get to the most remote places with public transportation. And these are just a few…—Aonghas Crowe
Yes, it really is built for the small people. But people are getting taller and bigger all the time here, so things will have to change, bit by bit.—Outsiderinsider
This is true. I was born and raised in NYC. But every time I go to Tokyo I am shocked by how tall people are nowadays (obviously not everybody).—pipokun
GLASS FEELING
Regarding “The Small Print” (Mar 27): Although the writer seems to be implying that female workers earning less wages than male counterparts is a typically Japanese thing, he should do a little research to see that this is rather a global phenomenon that’s been going on since the beginning of corporate work culture. Name me a few countries where women don’t receive a lesser average income.—Nekoguchi
STILL GAIJININ’
Regarding “Gaijin vs. Gaijin” (The Last Word, Feb 28): This article is just bad… and somewhat racist. First of all, using the word “gaijin” instead of foreigner is unnecessary, and second of all, some people are actually highly satisfied with their jobs in Japan and don’t need to seek comfort in their “popularity” among Japanese people. This is a huge stereotype (if you can even call it that because none of the points in this article seem familiar to me) and I think the author is probably insecure about his job. I’ve lived in Japan for four years and to be honest, I could not care less about new expats coming in. Good for them… I don’t know why this was published, but it’s rubbish.—Sue
Perfect, thank you for writing this. It’s always so funny when I see a foreigner in a group of Japanese and suddenly that foreigner sees me. Within half a second he (or she) pretends I am not there and will never look in my direction again. It’s because this person was average back home and seeing someone from his side of the planet reminds him or her of that. I get it. This behavior from other gaijin used to bother me but really, I can understand where they’re coming from. I wouldn’t want to give up the power and attention I had never received in my home country in my entire life. When it happens now, I just smile.—XaBa
