Along with Karaoke, it’s interesting to note that drinking
alcohol is a completely different thing in Japan
compared to the US
as well. I mean, for instance, you can
purchase humungous cans of beer from automated machines (like soda
machines). That is a whole thing in
itself, too, the whole automated dispenser-thing!
Regarding alcohol, it seemed very much that there was not
any stigma attached to the consumption of it.
The only problem that arose (socially speaking) as far as I could tell
and was told, was if someone who drank was a mean drunk in public. Otherwise it seemed like alcohol was viewed
simply as a means to an end. For
instance, I learned it was pretty common practice for a boss to go out drinking
with his employees for the express purpose that his employees might see him as
a regular person and not the mean “bottom line” guy he has to be at work. It was definitely seen as a social lubricant
in Japan far
more than I’ve ever known it to be accepted in the US .
As for the automated dispensers… well, if you can imagine
that it might work in such a machine, I’m absolutely certain the Japanese could
tell you if it works out as practically as it does in theory! Seriously.
In addition to beer (and other alcohol to a lesser extent), you could
find pantyhose, magazines, food, porn, movies, and more in such machines. I’m absolutely certain I did not see as wide
a variety of them as there are, in fact, available to be seen and purchased
from.
Another automated sort of thing that was very different in Japan
is that there were numerous video game/gaming spots. Within each such place, you’re sure to find a
mini-photo booth. When I went to Japan ,
these photo booth pictures were popular enough that most of the tiny planners
have a few pages specially dedicated to and made for them. I heard, also, that there was a bit of
trading of them that was popular. They
sure were fun! The photo booths were one
of my favorite activities, actually.
They could be found almost everywhere, not just in gaming places.
Although I didn’t experience it at all, there were also
specific places for various forms of gambling.
Pachinko is one I can think of right off the top of my head. I can’t tell you any more than the name
because I never went in or played. But I
can tell you those shops/buildings/places were VERY well lit and noisy. Regular shops were also lit well, but these
gambling houses were almost TOO well lit.
This seems almost a direct opposite of the same sorts of places in the US …
though I’ve never personally been to one in the US …
I’m just basing that on what I’ve heard about them and seen in movies.
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