Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : Winter in the Great White North -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Stephen O who wrote (5375)	12/24/2003 6:18:33 AM
From: Condor	Respond to of 8273

My wife and I were in Japan about 8 years ago visiting our son and his wife and as they went off to work, we said we would prepare them a regular home cooked supper that night. Off we went to the stores to get meat, potatoes and veggies. We ended up getting pork chops. The few things we bought came to CDN $ 90. Meat as you and I are used to is uncommon and eaten sparingly, we must appear as major carnivors to them. Rice, fish and noodley things are their staples. A next door neighbour of theirs was returning from the store with a bag of rice. It was about 12 - 14 lbs I would guess. I spoke with her and learned that it was Japanese rice and not Thai rice. They frown on any rice from "away" as inferior. It cost $ 100 for the bag. Thai rice would have been $ 30. BTW the woman was a small business owner and had rudimentary English skills. We were in a part of Japan where outsiders were uncommon, which is most of Japan I discovered. We were a novelty. Going about business in public (stores and offices) was a bit trying. Many people take night English classes and they desperately want to practice their English so when we'd come along they would jump at the chance. What followed next would be painful. They, discovering they were virtually incomprehendible and we forgetting what we were originally there for in the beginning of the torturous ordeal. :o) They were always gracious and soft spoken. I remember a couple of times conducting business and my son was with me and he would say "Dad, soften it up you're scaring them". I'm a tall good natured gregarious individual but a little too North American in comparison to their demure style. It was always a pleasure to see them come out of their shells as familiarization took hold. They would then get right "noisy". :o) Someday I'll tell you about the watermelon whacking party we went to. Ooops...rambling...quiet morning, a light snow falling, the house sleeps . Cheers and Merry Christmas Stephen, C