Open The Can, Because the Worms Are on Prawl...

1) I am sometimes offended that I am just portrayed by some Japanese as just a stupid American guy. I have lived here for over 9 years, and I love the customs, and the culture. I have a Japanese Wife, and do understand things a lot more than just someone visiting here or living here for 3 years. It still bugs me, that I am in the same category because some people in the past have ruined the image for the American or Foreigner's living abroad.

2) Sailors That wear their working Navy boots with their outfits to go out.. Can't you afford a pair of shoes dude.. Come on... Really, you have to wear those things with Jeans and a T-Shirt.. They werent even shined, they were all scuffed up! :)

3) Japanese girls that are only looking for a way to come onbase and do their makeup shopping..

4) NATO smell... I hate it..

5) All the guys in Roppongi that try to get you to enter their clubs.. Hey man, Hey you.. Come over here, I know what you want. You want girls, here up stairs, I show you.. Come up, I am just like you.. It free, go I show you.. :)

Oh here is another one..

The guys when they are driving on the toll roads, and when they get their receipts, they throw it out the window.. That really ticks me off! And yes I have seen Y plates do this also..

Tipping.. When your off-base, its just normal to receive great customer service.. Then you come onbase, and I have seen a few very rude waitresses.. Maybe because they have to deal with americans all day, they have to get a strong skin, and sometimes say whats on her mind, but if you leave them a 5% or 10% tip, they look at you after, like you are wrong, and did something evil to them.. I usually tip VERY VERY good. I always have. But customer service and expectations sometimes irritate me.. All I can say is the Japanese customer service is by far the best I have even been around! They get an A+..

I dont like the girls that speak with a baby talk...

I dont like people that use the phrase "Jap" around me, thinking its funny..

For me, I think it would have been a more valuable experience if my family had come over here as civilians, with no ties to the base or the military. I think the base here puts too great an emphasis on the hate between the US and Japanese cultures. I am not a stranger to Asian culture, my whole childhood was immersed in it. However, Japan is very unique in the Asian world. Japan and the US have a very unique political relationship that is bound to bring up a mix of feelings within the two cultures. My experience here, and I have only been here for 1 1/2 years, is that there is so much hate and tension in the air, it is often difficult to see the beautiful things Japan has to offer. There is such a wide array of sensory experiences waiting to be explored, it is sad that I must do so with the stigma of the "dumb American" following me around!!

Smoking - smoking - smoking

Such a lovely country with so many chain-smokers everywhere - especially rude men in restaurants.

Traditional toilets with pee all over the floor.
Young, able bodied people on the trains who don't give up their seats for the elderly, pregnant women, women with small children, or even people with crutches.
T-shirts with offensive "Engrish" worn by children.
Old ladies on bicycles that don't ride as far to the left as they could on busy streets
Wearing the most common size of women's clothing in the states, but considered sometimes a 3X over here (that's hurts).
I hate mayonaise with a passion, and they ruin so many good foods by putting it on them.
Needing a parking place at a convenience store, and not finding one because most of the cars have workers fast asleep with their feet up on the dash inside them.

I love almost everything else.

*in total agreement about Nato.....it smells like stinky feet.

Hahahahaha....I kept reading it as NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) and not Natto. It's amazing how the absence of one "T" can change a meaning of a word.

It really doesn't bother me, but how about "People who forget to add the second "T" in Natto"

Natto is some nasty looking stuff with distinctive odor but some of the best tasting things are that way. Natto is really an acquired taste. It took me awhile but I learned to like it. One thing I don't miss from Japan is trucks, buses etc belching black clouds of diesel exhaust.

Ahh...John. A few years back Tokyo Ku & Kanagawa Ken started to enforce huge emissions on the diesels. It is literally night and day compared to days of olde. The diesels are still around, but not like before...no more black smoke belching out the back/top of the pipes and the smell has been mostly scrubbed. Almost all the old diesel cars had to be junked as they were no longer street legal...

I agree...Natto is an acquired taste. I can't get past the smell so I tend to only eat it in Natto Maki.

the yen rate

- Mopeds driving all slow in the left hand lane

- People who turn left hella slow..just so you miss the light.

-The Yakuza guys that stand outside of the Lawsons on blue street. They dont look so tough, they look like pussies. i want to punch 2 of them in the face to see if they can fight or if they'll drop.

I don't care to read the foul language on this site. Could we clean it up a bit please?

As for my gripes about Japan, well, for the most part I love it here and I haven't experienced the feeling of hatred that rmurfree mentioned. I guess I just don't go to the right places for that. I hate the traffic signals that are actually turn signals without arrows. You just have to realize that the people on the other side have stopped but your light it still green so you can turn!!!

Polly,

I agree with the foul language is a problem sometimes. I hope people realize we are trying to bring a positive side of the base, and not just have everything on here negative. I have to spend a few more days and get all the scripts working, so it will automatically fix anything typed into a Test...
I will focus on it for the rest of the night.. I think this is a high priority for the forums. I apologize for not having it working completely already..

It would also help if people just typed without using it.. So if you are reading this, please lower the tone just a tad tad.. There is always ways of expressing the same point.. Sometimes pictures speak 1000 words.. You can upload photos and files to any of the posts.. Just remember, keep them clean..

the yen rate

I agree +1

Thanks Adam, I know you have a difficult job. Some people might not like the word "piss" in the title of this discussion topic. You might want to change it, too. Thanks again and have a Merry Christmas!

Actually I don't mind the yen rate because I work at a Japanese school and get paid in yen! So when I convert it to American money, it's pretty nice. However, the yen rate going from yen to dollars is never exactly the opposite as the dollars to yen. That's frustrating because I think, "Wow! I'll get XXXX amount!" and then it's not quite that much. That's what ticks me off.

The title has been updated Polly... Sorry about that..

Wow sorry Polly that you dont care for the words that some of us choose to use. I really dont care to hear you complain about it, could you not do that please? Thank you. I'm sorry Adam that my crude humor has caused you so much pain, I just feel the need to deliver shots accross peoples brow from time to time. I'm a grown a** man and yes i am crude too. I do know how to use better words to speak, i choose not to use these words because the bad ones are much more fun to use. No disrespect man.

None taken.. In some way I hope this site can be a family site, and if I dont get the software working to fix mistakes in language, it will never be.. I would hope that teenagers can come on here, because I am planning to build an entire area for the website that will be TEENS only.. I could see how some parents would disapprove if you have outlandish language.. Whats funny about me being some what strict is that FACEBOOK does not restrict people at all. Teens talk x10 worse than I have seen on this website..

True just wanted to see if it would work lol. Who care about teens they are like NUB's.

Just as a side note....studies suggest dropping the OCCASIONAL swear word can help our reactions to stress and also suggests that a person has a higher vocabulary. It may seem offensive, but just something to think about the next time you hear someone curse. ; )

I hate it when large trucks pull over flip on the hazard lights and the driver decides to kick off his hello kitty slippers, prop up his feet and take a nap and everyone seems to be ok with it.
I want super powers to be able to flatten all of his tires as I drive by. At least then he will have a reason for stopping.

Why do ATMs close after 6pm?

I hate that my house is usually colder inside than it is outside.

I hate the fact that most parking spaces are excactly 2 inches wider than the size of a typical car and all pa**enger must get out of the car before you park. The driver must call Cris Angel (a magician).

I hate it when people who teach English to Japanese people can't speak English.

I guess that's enough for now. To be fair we should start a thread on what we like about Japan.

pa**enger

And there, my friends, is the problem with automated censorship.

Adam, I'm an admin on another board (sports related, won't list it here, not sure of your rules on advertising other sites!), and banned words are ok IF you can include a space in the script. space a s s space works better than just a s s.

A**ume
A**uage
Pa**enger

so forth and so on....

I don't like earthquake. And I can't hang anything in my apartment. That stinks. But those are minor points. I'm happy!

Oh, I don't like that I've been here 6+ years and I've only seen Fuji 19 times. Darn that fog/smog/etc.

I like when I can occasionally see it on that one road by the huge drydock. If you catch it at the right time, Fuji is just to the left of that hill. It's PRETTY!

The INCREASE in Onsen's and waterparks forbidding entry to those with Tattoo's. It used to be hit and miss, but now more and more are starting to not allow entry to the point where it seems like MOST of them don't allow it anymore.

And at a time when more and more Japanese are getting tat's as well. Seem's ba**-ackwards to me, but it still pisses me off to no end.

Strangely enough, the mom/pop places in those out of the way small villages don't care. You'd think the elderly would be the ones that do care, but they just don't seem to give a crap like the "established" touristy places do.

I could also vent about the shrinking "coed" onsens, but that would just make me sound like the dirty old man I am....., so I won't.

Thanks Loki for the recommendation about the scripts checking the filtering of words. I am trying my best to prevent such words that are offensive to some members on this website. I will try to clean the words up, and add some additional filters to allow such works like "Pa**enger".. Thanks for the heads up..

Back in the day, there was a big problem with sailors jumping the ticket gates at the train stations, or buying child tickets because they could save a couple hundred yen.. I am offended at all those sailors, that are more than likely still doing this, thinking they won't get caught! TRUST ME! Eventually you will, so stop! I remember, they had a sting at the Yokosuka Chou station a few years back and caught almost 25 sailors on 1 day. They had them all on camera. Lets just say open flight deck captain mast on the USS Kitty Hawk.. I knew this was years ago, but when I stupid people making the same mistakes others made in the past, it just makes me realize why this website is so important, and to educate all those that think they are more clever than the police.. Your not.. Respect the country..

Tattoos. I didn't even touch that. I agree that the whole tattoo issue is stupid.
Me, an honest hard working guy who doesn't cause any problems but has tattoos can't go to a water park but some riff raff wannabe yakuza guys without tattoos are allowed.
Don't judge me by my looks, judge my actions.
My inlaws actually wanted me to cover my tattoos when I was at a festival. It was summer and when wearing shorts the tat on my leg was visable. I had an ace wrap supporter they gave me to use. I told them I would draw the same design as my tattoo on the ace wrap and wear that. I think it went over their head. I didn't wear the ace wrap and as stated before... nobody cared.

When I see sailors crossing the street when they know its a "Red Light"... They see the Japanese standing right there, being patient, but they just feel they are better than everyone that they dont have to follow the rules, so they dash off running across the traffic.. Why do that? I can understand there are some lights, that are very very long, and there really isnt that much traffic.. Its understandable to cross, but at a major cross road, just wait your turn.. I see sailors doing this all the time, on Blue Street. It just adds to the bad gajin image in my opinion.

Personally, I think a lot of the stupid sh*t we do as "stupid gaijins" falls into one blanket category: american culture.

[quote]
Posted By Polly on 12 Dec 2009 08:47 PM
I don't care to read the foul language on this site. Could we clean it up a bit please?

As for my gripes about Japan, well, for the most part I love it here and I haven't experienced the feeling of hatred that rmurfree mentioned. I guess I just don't go to the right places for that. I hate the traffic signals that are actually turn signals without arrows. You just have to realize that the people on the other side have stopped but your light it still green so you can turn!!!
[/quote]


This is an internet website so it is protected under the first amendment of our fine constitution so it is with every persons rights to say shitty swear words and besides if you expect to find an internet website without swearing then youve found the city of el dorado

hahahaha

Poor parenting. Japan could reduce their energy costs by harnessing the power of all of the screaming kids in all of the stores, parks and theme parks on weekends between 1 and 3pm! I friggin' hate it. The little buggers need an hour of down time between one and three to recharge. Parents don't get it. I like to scoot up to Soleil Yu no Oka on weekends to watch the 14:30 shows at the water stage. Guess when all the screaming kids are out?
This past summer some A-whole at our beach house couldn't understand that the kid needed a nap, even when the kid kept screaming that he was sleepy ("NEMUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUIIII"). The old man, I swear, bounced him around for over an hour. And none in his group would tell him that he was disturbing every other customer there. Idiots!

BRAKE...then signal the turn. I am of the firm belief that drivers think that the vehicle will not turn unless the turn signal is on.

While we're at it, wide left turns. Why? They're taught to move to the right side of lane befor turning left. Good, but it doesn't have to be turn right then turn left. Most times it doesn't even need to be done at all.

The "that would never happen" attitude. Some time ago a friend was pulling into his driveway, crossing a sidewalk to do it, and a motor scooter...riding on the sidewalk...T-boned the car. Cop said, even though the indent in the door matched the height of the scooter, the scooter-pooter wasn't on the sidewalk because there's a law against it.

Bozo zouku. Period. Of course I know a lot of ex-Bozo's who are great guys...now.

"This is an internet website so it is protected under the first amendment of our fine constitution"

Now THAT is comedy at it's finest.

Polly-just skip over his posts. I usually do. They're too hard to decipher most of the time anyways.


Rmurphree-I'm sorry you've had such bad experiences outside the gates. I have lived here 3 years, and never been treated with anything other than kindness.

So, what if I think that people who find me offensive, are offensive? Can i excercise my right by the first amendment to tell them to SHUT THE F*** UP? I.e, people who think vulgar language is offensive on a public website?

Keith:

The language that you want to exercise on a public forum is understood, but some people may not be able to agree with your decisions or the vulgar content. To help this problem out, I decided to create another GROUP which has a group forum which will remain private to only those members (WHO CHOOSE) to be involved in those profanity related topics. This area is an ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK, so I dont want to be asked to edit, or get alerts about profanity, because this group will be the only area that it is acceptable.

You can find it under the group section. PROFANITY ALLOWED.

Please (ALL MEMBERS) keep the public forums to a minimum for profanity.. Lets just all share our experiences, and help one another the best way we can..

[quote]
Posted By KeithJ on 19 Dec 2009 07:20 AM
So, what if I think that people who find me offensive, are offensive? Can i excercise my right by the first amendment to tell them to SHUT THE F*** UP? I.e, people who think vulgar language is offensive on a public website?
[/quote]

Actually, the correct answer would be that you have NO SPECIFIC rights when it comes to internet message boards, websites, etc... You are allowed to participate, may be limited in the amount/type of participation, or even prohibited from participation based on the whims of the owners, account limitations, etc. Surfing the web, and being on specific websites, is a PRIVILEGE and not a RIGHT. You have NO RIGHT to participate in a message board.

Because, any website can put it's own version of "no shoes, no shirt, no service" in place and if you disagree with those, you have the option to not participate. Most websites have a TERMS OF SERVICE that defines expected and allowed participation. Adam has made it clear, at least three times in the past week, that he does not desire profanity in these forums, or at the very least to limit it. He's even created a group specifically for it. And yet, you are using profanity to do nothing more than make a point that you have first amendment rights to do so. Which, in this case, you do NOT.

And, to be completely honest and fair... the EXACT same thing applies to those that might find you offensive. They also have the option to not participate. They have NO RIGHTS to a profanity-free browsing experience. They do, however, have an expectation of it, because Adam gave them that. And HE does have that right.

Lazarus= the greatest son of a bitch ever

Is that a reality or a goal?

Man! Why can't we just all get along?
Just because you have the right to do something doesn't mean that you should.
Do unto others...
Adam has control and if he chooses to censure someone that's up to him. Personally I'm the guy who has a very short fuse when it comes to dealing with those who choose not to play by the rules they agreed to. If you don't wanna play by those rules get yer own damned forum and make yer own damned rules. Let's remember the mission of this site.

I think that if we get rid of the petty bickering, whatever the basis, it would be a great improvement for the forum. I participate in forums at a very minimum and then only to seek and provide information. If I wanted to argue I'd've stayed married!!!

Now, carry on about things that offend you in Japan.

I know its the rules and all - which I do follow, but separating trash sometime irritates me.. My wife gets very upset (since she is Japanese) when I put plastic in the wrong trash bin.

What does the base do with all of their trash? Just curious. They dont separate it, so it must be going somewhere, or someone has a really terrible job going through it all.. I would hate that guys job..

I think they pay people to do it for us.
On another note LAz you are not the greatest, I have held that title for 13 years now son.

I'll save you guys some four letter words for now...

Wow Prime, that post must have hurt pretty bad... No four letter words. I don't know how you can do it, I didn't know you could count that high. You are just a bubble head.

I will add to the list, too.

I hate leaving my home to see trash thrown on the ground in the halls, and in the elevators. The Sticky trash juice in the elevator that keeps your feet stuck to the floor. Just because the base pays for a cleaning person for the towers, does not mean we need to make the job harder. Clean up your trash, and make sure the kids are big enough to put the trash in the dumpster, before you send them down the elevator.

[quote]
Posted By Adam Jones on 19 Dec 2009 03:18 PM
I know its the rules and all - which I do follow, but separating trash sometime irritates me.. My wife gets very upset (since she is Japanese) when I put plastic in the wrong trash bin.

What does the base do with all of their trash? Just curious. They dont separate it, so it must be going somewhere, or someone has a really terrible job going through it all.. :) I would hate that guys job..


[/quote]

When we lived off base years ago, I tried hiding some of my trash in milk cartons ( I know I know) and hours later it ended up back on my porch with a note, which I could only imagine told me to sort my trash, dumb American, haha!

When I was pregnant and lived off base and rode the trains a lot, older Japanese women would constantly try to pull my shirt up to rub my belly. I didn't like that too much.

:D

lol bit me Jug you'll get yours old man.

(Tower people) I hate when people push both elevator buttons when they really only need 1 elevator. I know, small but still irritating!

Also, is it me or do the Japanese people seem to always be getting out of the Onsun bath the exact minute I am getting in?

KeithJ, you're right- we Americans probably do similar type things to foreigners too. Who hasn't seen or heard of someone making fun of the Japanese tourist with all the cameras when they visit the states? We probably look the same to them. But, still, it's a little annoying to be shun just because of my country of orgin and not because of the way I am acting or something I am doing. I try hard not to offend but I'm getting to the point where I really don't care anymore because I am damned if I do and damned if I don't. I'm proud to be an American. I hate feeling like I should be ashamed. Just my gripe, just my opinion.

I think that's the right attitude to take. I'm not saying to p*ss all over people's shoes, but you should be able to get out and enjoy yourself, and ignore the ignorance. If they get out of the onsen when you go in, they must not have been enjoying it all that much to begin with. Besides, you're never going to see these people again, what does it matter what they think?