Trip Report: Viva Las Vegas, Baby!
Ok, the title makes it sound like I’m living it up in Sin City, but really it’s been pretty chill so far. I spent most of midweek last week playing poker. Most of the time, however, I’ve just been hanging out with my parents at their house and getting over the reverse culture shock felt by not having been back in my home country for three and a half years.
And yes, I am having trouble getting over some of the glaring differences between life in Japan and life in the U.S. Yeah, I know, Las Vegas isn’t the real world by any stretch of the imagination, but people from all over the States come here, so I’m confident that I’m getting a pretty decent sample.
- Ok, most people are way too big here. I have to say it… sorry. You know what I mean. I’m not talking heightwise here, either. I’m talking fat city. Yeah, you have to expect that in a country where mealwise, double portions are cheaper than single portions in most other developed nations. And yeah, comparing people here to Japanese people is not fair, I know. I mean, in a country where the staples of most people’s diets are rice, soy, and fish, you can’t expect to see much obesity. But, here in the good old US of A, it’s fucking ridiculous. Not trying to hurt anyone’s feelings with this, and I’m sure there are some people with legitimate medical conditions, but come on… Anyway, let it be known that I have never, nor do I now think that appearance is a good basis for judging anyone.
- The friendliness here in the States, in general, is one of the best things I remembered about my home country while living abroad. Yeah, at first, it was a little overwhelming, but I quickly reacclimated and am pleased with it. Of course, I’ve run into a few loudmouthed douchebags in the last week or so, but I’ll take the bad with the good. I still stand by my belief that Tokyo needs to lighten the hell up.
- I can’t watch the news here anymore. The first couple of nights I did so last week, there were two different cases of people answering knocks at their doors and ending up shot to death. After spending several years living in a major city where I knew that the chances of being in the proximity of anyone carrying a gun were infinitesimal, it’s a little unnerving to think about how many people do so here.
Anyway, I’m sure I’ll think of some more differences for next time.
(1 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
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Tokyo is hella friendly. They probably just treated you differently since you’re white.
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Thanks for the insight. Should’ve thought of that after living there for several years
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I’d say Japan is friendly - you just have to make the first move.
You didn’t say if you were up or down Billy.
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Most places I’ve been in Japan had lots of outwardly friendly people. Tokyoites tend to be more reserved is all I’m saying.
All I play is poker, and I’ve been up for years. This is a working vacation for me.
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You are right, Billy. The Japanese people living in Tokyo and surrounding areas are generally more reserved. But if you go down to Kansai, you get a different kind of picture. When I went down there, sometime last month, people were really open to me. They are full of laughing.In Tokyo, they only do that when they are drunk.
I’d say your wrong and most places I’ve been to over here are not filled with open and friendly people. Why?? Language barrier, or whatever but the reality of your Japan and mine seems to be at odds. I’m not going to “make a first move” just because someone else looks like I shit on their riceball.
Glad to hear your “up” Billy and everytime I go back to Hawaii…(they make em” REALLY big over there) I start thinking the whole island could use a good diet or surf off those extra calories
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I am not wrong. That is my experience over here. Most of the people that are open to me in Kansai region cannot speak English but you see a lovely expression on their face. When you ask them for directions to a particular place, if they cannot answer you in English, they stop whatever they are doing and guide you physically all the way to the place u want to go. Of course, not for long distances.
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Friendly or not they are not agressive at the point to shoot you. Anyway in a megalopolis like Tokyo there must be someone friendly. Perhaps you should consider to start a real demand amd accept it as a challenge. This is only a thought, after all I am learning from you.
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Yes, Americans are way to damn fat.
Yes, there is way to many sick mothers f***ers in this country that are willing to hurt other people.
There are a lot of rude, selfish, inconsiderate ass holes in Los Angeles so I find it hard to believe Tokyo being less friendly. People in LA suck.
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Yeah, LA and New York are special in their darkness. NY has assholes with soul, while LA has soulless assholes
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I think that is a good way to describe them.
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A culture that promotes an excessive lifestyle does that to people.
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I think everyone’s missing the point about the friendliness. Yes, there are plenty of friendly people in Tokyo. Some of the friendliest and best people I’ve met in Japan are from Tokyo.
My point is that too many people are reserved to the point where it makes social situations more awkward than they need to be, even by Japanese standards. Generally speaking, of course.
Anyway,…
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Billy billy billy….
You must have forgotten to read your “Japan Sugoi” handbook lately.
Japan doesn’t have Political or Police scandals and coverups, This isn’t THE hub of child pron (Russia and Japan have simply forgotten to sign the international Child Protection act) their isn’t a deep systemic racism towards foreigners of all forms and of even some citizens of this country itself. The drugs and guns are not a growing problem because the “New” yakuza are filling their ranks with non-Japanese and Koreans and using the entertainment visa system as a way to get foreign prostitutes Japanese citizenship. (which puts them at great odds with the nationalists they sometimes work with)
You better remember your recent roots. This is the land of the rising social collapse!!! The soon to arrive drop in native born of working age will require a massive influx of foreign labor (to compete with the economic monster named China) which is going to massively and permanently change this country in good and bad ways but I’m going to enjoy watching it either way from Hawaii
Please don’t apologize or defend your honest observations and opinions based on experience to people with heads shoved so far up their own asses they can’t even admit that this is just another country that’s a little better at covering up it’s warts.
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Good to see you back online, Billy - and good luck at the poker tables!
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Thanks, Chris!
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Hope you’re enjoying yourself out there!
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Going back home after a while away can be a big shock. Does your sense of hearing seem stronger than usual? Are you overhearing 4 conversations at once!
People in the USA are overweight, yes…but I’m quite disturbed by how many fat Japanese I’ve been seeing lately. You are what you eat and fast food and soft drinks are killers.
Have fun in Vegas!
the other Billy
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Don’t feel guilty about calling out all the lard-asses in the U.S. It was my first thought when I was home less than two years ago. People need to start taking account for their health and appearance — where’s the pride?
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@Chris B:
Excellently put, Sir.
@JT:
I am. Thanks! Hope it’s going well for you, too.
@Billy:
Yeah, there are some girthy Japanese people, but until I see them riding electronic 3-wheelers around in shopping malls, they have not begun to even come close to the sickness that has engulfed the States.
Lots of eye candy here in Sin City, though
@Spartancus:
You and I should write books on societies, man.
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Good to hear you are enjoying yourself Billy; you deserve it. I remember when I pulled a little time in Sin city. All I did was drink, eat, gamble, and do really sinful things in a hotel on the strip. It was really fun!
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Viva LV Baby! Live it up and don’t look back. Man, I’m so envying you right now. Pop over to IHOP for me and throw down on some Steak & Eggs and Pancakes. I can enjoy them vicariously through you (-:
And i feel you on the chubbiness of our people…
btw, Well Said Chris b! Mad warts over here (-:
Enjoy Billy-san
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