dochira wrote:Very cool Wynter! :D
I'm trying for Japan in December, but fares are high. :sweat:
O! If in December, which week?
O! If in December, which week?
I'm Going To Japan
Started by cZo · 14 Mar 2005 · 11,349 replies
General Discussion
O! If in December, which week?
tabana wrote:
alright! :D
I guess I'll go to. Anyone want to charter a plane? :metaldevil:
I so think we should charter a plan with chickens on it....it'll be cheaper and we can use the eggs to make omuraisu on board instead of eating those shitty airplane meals.
Canadian gets ass kicked on train; Japanese don't give two shits
=============================================
A punching bag on the Odakyu line
I was recently the victim of a random act of violence. To set the scene: I was traveling home in the sardine can known as the Odakyu line on a weeknight around 9:30 p.m. The commuter in the seat next to the door had decided that getting a seat wasnft enough — he also wanted the metal railing next to the seat as his elbow rest. When I entered the train, I was jostled and pushed, and eventually settled into the space by the door, my back to both the metal hand railing and the commuter with the well-rested elbow. Unfortunately, my position meant that my rear end intruded upon his elbow rest space.
The commuter expressed his dissatisfaction with a few vicious elbow jabs throughout our 15 minute train ride. I was completely unable to move away, or to communicate with him due to my squished, immobile position. When the train came to his stop, he gave me two particularly vicious final jabs before standing up to get off the train. As he passed me, he pulled back, punched me in the face, and quickly exited.
Needless to say, everyone was rather surprised. The other commuters around me were torn between shock, intense curiosity, and valiant attempts at pretending that they hadnft seen anything. Only one man dared acknowledge the incident by digging into his wallet and thoughtfully (albeit impractically) offering me two rather old band-aids for my then-bloodied nose.
As for me, I stood with my mouth agape. A couple of elbow jabs in the butt was one thing — but a punch in the face?
I had no idea how to proceed. My first reaction was to run after the guy and retaliate. But the little voice in my head that keeps me out of prison reminded me that in that case, I would most likely be the one penalized. Instead, I considered reporting it to the station staff or police. I began to formulate in my head what I would say, but realized that I lacked the language necessary to communicate the situation. I study Japanese, and I can definitively state, with conviction, that yes, the book is on the table; however, the grammar to express gThat psycho over there just punched me in the faceh was unfortunately left out of my current text.
As I was trying to decide what to do, the train doors closed — and with them, any opportunity to seek justice.
In fact, this was my sixth accidental run-in with violence since arriving in Japan three years ago, albeit the most serious. It makes me laugh now to think about how many times I had been told that Japan was a gsafe country.h
Speaking to friends about these experiences, the knee-jerk reaction seems to be to chalk it up to xenophobia. Call me an optimist, but Ifd like to believe that this isnft the case (or at least not always). In the most recent incident, for example, the commuter probably had no idea that I was a foreigner.
Acts of violence are becoming more and more prevalent in Japan. The news is full of beatings, suicides and murders. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, violent acts drastically increased between 2002 (8,666 violent acts) to 2006 (11,253). Specifically, non-lethal, less-serious acts (such as those that I experienced) more than doubled over that same period (from 2,677 to 5,635).
One problem, I feel, is that people in Japan face too much pressure with too little positive release. The stress that causes people to jump in front of trains or to decapitate their parents is probably the same type that prompted the commuter to punch me in the face. So, in that light, I guess I should be glad that my injury was only a punch.
The other problem is that no one wants to get involved with these kinds of situations. Nobody, for example, moved in to help me with my attacker. In fact, my own first reaction was decidedly Japanese; I didnft even step up to defend myself. After the incident, I asked several Japanese people what they would do if faced with a violent person or gchikanh on the train, and almost all said that they would do nothing more than switch train cars.
So, what can we do? The answer, I guess, is not much. The police, by and large, are ambivalent about these kinds of crimes—and seemingly even more so when foreigners are the victims.
Instead, we need to help each other out. If you see something fishy on the train, donft be afraid to step in and intervene. But also, be cautious and take measures to protect yourself. I, for one, have invested in a mouth guard.
Ron Scott is an English teacher and freelance writer from Canada. This commentary originally appeared in Metropolis magazine (www.metropolis.co.jp).
=============================================
A punching bag on the Odakyu line
I was recently the victim of a random act of violence. To set the scene: I was traveling home in the sardine can known as the Odakyu line on a weeknight around 9:30 p.m. The commuter in the seat next to the door had decided that getting a seat wasnft enough — he also wanted the metal railing next to the seat as his elbow rest. When I entered the train, I was jostled and pushed, and eventually settled into the space by the door, my back to both the metal hand railing and the commuter with the well-rested elbow. Unfortunately, my position meant that my rear end intruded upon his elbow rest space.
The commuter expressed his dissatisfaction with a few vicious elbow jabs throughout our 15 minute train ride. I was completely unable to move away, or to communicate with him due to my squished, immobile position. When the train came to his stop, he gave me two particularly vicious final jabs before standing up to get off the train. As he passed me, he pulled back, punched me in the face, and quickly exited.
Needless to say, everyone was rather surprised. The other commuters around me were torn between shock, intense curiosity, and valiant attempts at pretending that they hadnft seen anything. Only one man dared acknowledge the incident by digging into his wallet and thoughtfully (albeit impractically) offering me two rather old band-aids for my then-bloodied nose.
As for me, I stood with my mouth agape. A couple of elbow jabs in the butt was one thing — but a punch in the face?
I had no idea how to proceed. My first reaction was to run after the guy and retaliate. But the little voice in my head that keeps me out of prison reminded me that in that case, I would most likely be the one penalized. Instead, I considered reporting it to the station staff or police. I began to formulate in my head what I would say, but realized that I lacked the language necessary to communicate the situation. I study Japanese, and I can definitively state, with conviction, that yes, the book is on the table; however, the grammar to express gThat psycho over there just punched me in the faceh was unfortunately left out of my current text.
As I was trying to decide what to do, the train doors closed — and with them, any opportunity to seek justice.
In fact, this was my sixth accidental run-in with violence since arriving in Japan three years ago, albeit the most serious. It makes me laugh now to think about how many times I had been told that Japan was a gsafe country.h
Speaking to friends about these experiences, the knee-jerk reaction seems to be to chalk it up to xenophobia. Call me an optimist, but Ifd like to believe that this isnft the case (or at least not always). In the most recent incident, for example, the commuter probably had no idea that I was a foreigner.
Acts of violence are becoming more and more prevalent in Japan. The news is full of beatings, suicides and murders. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, violent acts drastically increased between 2002 (8,666 violent acts) to 2006 (11,253). Specifically, non-lethal, less-serious acts (such as those that I experienced) more than doubled over that same period (from 2,677 to 5,635).
One problem, I feel, is that people in Japan face too much pressure with too little positive release. The stress that causes people to jump in front of trains or to decapitate their parents is probably the same type that prompted the commuter to punch me in the face. So, in that light, I guess I should be glad that my injury was only a punch.
The other problem is that no one wants to get involved with these kinds of situations. Nobody, for example, moved in to help me with my attacker. In fact, my own first reaction was decidedly Japanese; I didnft even step up to defend myself. After the incident, I asked several Japanese people what they would do if faced with a violent person or gchikanh on the train, and almost all said that they would do nothing more than switch train cars.
So, what can we do? The answer, I guess, is not much. The police, by and large, are ambivalent about these kinds of crimes—and seemingly even more so when foreigners are the victims.
Instead, we need to help each other out. If you see something fishy on the train, donft be afraid to step in and intervene. But also, be cautious and take measures to protect yourself. I, for one, have invested in a mouth guard.
Ron Scott is an English teacher and freelance writer from Canada. This commentary originally appeared in Metropolis magazine (www.metropolis.co.jp).
http://tv.boingboing.net/2008/05/01/tokyology.html
^ Well I'm screwed then. My ass will definitely take up more than half of the train.
Omg, what was up with the needle in the ass?! lol! And I love how the guy at the Goth Club was saying how they're not like American/Euro goths, and yet defined themselves in the exact way we would define them here. :rofl:
Tu_triky wrote:http://tv.boingboing.net/2008/05/01/tokyology.html
Omg, what was up with the needle in the ass?! lol! And I love how the guy at the Goth Club was saying how they're not like American/Euro goths, and yet defined themselves in the exact way we would define them here. :rofl:
Wynter wrote:^ Well I'm screwed then. My ass will definitely take up more than half of the train
As a woman, I don't think you have too much to worry about.
Omg, what was up with the needle in the ass?! lol!
I know that made me laugh...I actually went to a similar joint called the Lock Up in Shibuya....they also have one in Ikebukuro...it was a mildly entertaining experience but the food wasn't that good and the wait to get in line was crazy long. Here's a picture of the restaurant...the jail cells are where people are seated:
[image]
![[image]](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/2triky/IMG_0245.jpg){kind=link}
Picture of our table in the cell...my friend ordered some drink served in test tubes and a beaker. I stuck with beer.
[image]
![[image]](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/2triky/IMG_0249.jpg){kind=link}
And I love how the guy at the Goth Club was saying how they're not like American/Euro goths, and yet defined themselves in the exact way we would define them here. :rofl:
My brother.
Lifo wrote:
If I get the chance to go twice, I wouldn't refuse but your treat eh ;) ?
e-to... :sweat:
Tu_triky wrote:Canadian gets ass kicked on train; Japanese don't give two shits
Very nice. Train rage. :beaten:
tabana wrote:
Very nice. Train rage. :beaten:
I can't say it happens often in Japan to foriegners...but the prevailing wisdom among many foreigners living there indicates that if you were to find yourself in an altercation such as this, even if you defended yourself in response to assault, you'd likely be arrested and probably blamed for the whole thing. F*cked up.
Yup. Like the same way it's the girl's fault for being molested in the train, because she was wearing a skirt. If the salariman liked it, the girl liked it too, right? :rolleyes:
So, it's better to shut up. That way, you'll have less problems and won't get kick out of the country. =T
So, it's better to shut up. That way, you'll have less problems and won't get kick out of the country. =T
tabana wrote:Yup. Like the same way it's the girl's fault for being molested in the train, because she was wearing a skirt. If the salariman liked it, the girl liked it too, right? :rolleyes:
So, it's better to shut up. That way, you'll have less problems and won't get kick out of the country. =T
Pretty much. I'd have to agree with you.
tabana wrote:Yup. Like the same way it's the girl's fault for being molested in the train, because she was wearing a skirt. If the salariman liked it, the girl liked it too, right? :rolleyes:
Argh, this brings back memories. :bleh:
Wynter wrote:
Argh, this brings back memories. :bleh:
Yeah we know you liked it...stop bragging.
![[image]](http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/images/vbimghost/979482142c3b5dc1.jpg){kind=link}
:rofl: What the hell is that?
tabana wrote::rofl: What the hell is that?
My apartment building...after I move in next month.
oooohhh. :naughty: Looks like you won't be able to sleep anytime soon. :hehe:
Are you a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Pantsu Sniffing? :P
Are you a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Pantsu Sniffing? :P
tabana wrote:oooohhh. :naughty: Looks like you won't be able to sleep anytime soon. :hehe:
Are you a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Pantsu Sniffing? :P
:hehe:
I'm putting in an order for pioneer clothing and 3 bags of rice to feed my harem.
Wynter wrote:Or too wide. :ashamed: [/list:u]
How come I wasn't invited?! :puppydog: My panties must be too clean.
gaijinmark wrote: Or too wide. :ashamed: [/list:u]
:shamefulcry: My panties would only take HALF the wire. Not the whole lot. :mecry:
Replying needs an account. Registration opens soon.