little known facts and common misconceptions about Japan

[respectable_canuck]

Is there already a post that attempts to enlighten people who know little or next to nothing( although they pretend they do) about Japanese society and living?
I'll start it off then, eh...
Most Japanese buy toilet paper, but alot don't need it 'cause they get a little anal shower from their deluxe toilets...and a blow dry to follow...(no brush or curl with that though.)
Rebuttal: that's a sinful transgression of social norms 'cause a heck of a lot of others must settle for a simple hole in the floor...true, they can just get up and walk away without flushing, but they gotta shovel that yearly pile of human waste, lest it reach all the way up the chute!

Ha Ha. No it's true. Right now my house is darn cold ( and this house is new!) and i'm wearing a wool jacket inside, BUT, my toilet seat is warm enough to heat the W.C.; Maximun 40 celsius

 

[Ewok85]

A big what from me. Most people do not use the wash feature, toilet paper is fine. Many toilets, for example those at work or in public do not have this ability either.

And "a sinful transgression of social norms 'cause a heck of a lot of others must settle for a simple hole in the floor" - again, what?

 

[respectable_canuck]

Social norms- and the dogmatic way everyone follows them- are largely to thank for the high quality of life in Japan..."sinful transgression..." was my choice of words (sarcasm) to attempt a bit of amusement.
the above poster obviously does not own a washlet 'cause believe me, if you had one you WOULD use it...and i mean daily! ( it feels so gooood!)
Ones they have in the shopping centres, etc. are best left unused ( that ain't hygienic enough for me...), but for all the rest sitting in Japanese homes, they sure are being used ( they're not some kind of visual diversion or toy cockpit of buttons and knobs...) The Japanese aren't enthusiastic about drawing visible lines between the haves and have nots. They may have fancy new cars when you see them parking at the new shopping centre, but that facade of equality would be shattered if you saw their cramped and old housing situation...cold in winter and hot in summer.
Now a washlet is a real luxury for people who largely have no alternatlive to low quality housing...you know the expression "on the throne"...it may be one of life's small pleasures, but with great value...
In conclusion, I'd like to comment about the what abbreviation of the other poster...if you can respond with wit or in a clever way, that's great, but leave any negative attitude off the thread muffin.

 

[KirinMan]

Most people do not use the wash feature, toilet paper is fine. Many toilets, for example those at work or in public do not have this ability either.

Don't know about "your" job and while I agree many older places don't have the toilets seats installed. I do see a whole hell of a lot of places that have these toilet seats installed, particularly newer establishments or buildings.

Question here how in the world do you know that "Most people do not use the wash feature", if you mean to say YOU don't I understand that but "most", come on now, what did you do, take a survey of everyone's bathroom habits?

If it's there I use it, it does feel great. Once you try it you just might like it.

 

[tampopo]

Can vouch for the fact that they are very very very good/nice. Would recommend anyone thinking of visiting Japan, they're a bonus, check 'em out!

 

[nice gaijin]

It seems that our friend the respectable canuck has gone the way of the dodo.

 

[tampopo]

That it's hard to find or buy meat in Japan, it's all fish fish fish, they eat nothing but fish over there.

Those crazy zany Japanese shows where contestants get dragged along stony ground wearing only underpants or get sloshed in the face with cr@p are mainstream primetime programmes, not the actual late night, off peak, minority channel, cable or satellite stations (according to my wife)

 

[nice gaijin]

sloshed in the face with crap? hard to find meat?

 

[yukio_michael]

[...](according to my wife)

You can't really come into an discussion, posit some viewpoints & then give the disclaimer, "according to my wife...".

It sort of invalidates you as any sort of authority figure on the subject whatsoever.

I don't know to what high regard you hold "mainstream prime time programming" in Japan, but in the interest of altering your world view you should tackle a few evening variety shows.

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

I am locking this thread as it has gone gone down the sewer. Any questions, please PM me.