Comments | my_rain_face: (без темы)

my_rain_face

(Untitled)

Jan 07, 2005 23:42

I've been meaning to update this thing for awhile now. I guess at a certain point, you settle into your daily grind and things stop feeling remarkable enough to want to write about. Life continues to treat me well in Tokyo, but I was glad to have the New Year's break to go home for awhile and enjoy such luxuries as the ability to order a coffee ( Read more... )

Comments 7

literus January 7 2005, 15:39:57 UTC

You know what's weird, in Russia if you go to put money into a salesperson's hands they WILL NOT accept it from you. There is a dish that you put it in and they will take it from there. It's considered bad luck or something (they're superstitious). I'm glad you made it back safe, and that things were nice while you were here.

nightcomplete January 7 2005, 20:03:17 UTC

Something you should never do in Russia: whistle indoors. Seriously. Not ever. Whistling indoors = calling the devil! Secular country or not, that's a big nono.

yesisaworld January 8 2005, 08:11:01 UTC

How is setting money down on a counter to pay rude? It could swing either way here, but I always feel awkward when a salesperson puts the change directly into my hand, because I always feel as if the coins (if there are coins) will fall off and I'll hold up the line, scrambling for them, stufflikethat.

Good to hear from you as always. :)

my_rain_face January 8 2005, 14:03:57 UTC

I think it just seems like you don't want to touch the person, especially because handing change directly into the person's hand is the normal way to do things in North America. If you don't put money into someone's hand, they kind of wonder why you won't just hand it to them, I think. Or at least, that's the feeling I get.

yesisaworld January 9 2005, 03:28:21 UTC

Oh, right, well the folks here don't take it personally so long as you smile at them afterwards. Culture's just bizarre that way, I guess. Will take note of the whole money-directly-in-hand concept, though, in case I find myself in a North American shop (or whatever) in the future. Hee.

codar January 11 2005, 16:10:57 UTC

i think the first thing that would pop into my head on approach is "Oh my god, THERE IS NO SNOW!!!" but then, i'm from tennessee......

anonymous January 14 2005, 16:47:15 UTC

So, it was most nifty having Sarah home for a while. Nicest part for a parent, in a perverse sort of way -- within minutes after her return, her room looked like a true disaster area, and yes, well, that told us she was really back, at least for the moment. It's funny how the appreciation of such little things grows over time. Like comfortable slippers.
- Dad