japanese efficiency

move aside the germans, i think it is safe to say that japan is the most efficient country on the planet. here are some examples of the unerring professionalism of the japanese.

1. the rail system. Japan's rail system must be second to none. The trains are never late unless something has happened on the tracks, like a person has jumped in front of the train or whatnot. They arrive to the minute and leave on the minute. Their efficiency is such, that their are markings on the platform showing where each door will end up when the train arrives. Occasionally it is a metre off but rarely.

2. shopping. When you buy something, the attendent puts your goods in a plastic bag and puts the handles together and aims them so you can pick up the bag easier. Ergonomic but pointless.

3. Public toilets. In some public toilets there is a little knob to hang your umbrella next to each urinal.

4. bars. some bars have rooms that you need to take your shoes off to go in, so you take them off at the start of the night, someone puts them away for you in a little cupboard (gremlins) and when you want to leave the shoes are waiting for you, even facing the right way so u can slip straight into them. If u need to go to the loo, or leave the room, they have several pairs of (tiny) sandals for you to where.

5. shopping centres have a little automatic machine that wraps your umbrella in plastic so you can bring it inside. In fact, umbrella innovation is huge in japan.

earthquake update: I have now inadvertendly slept thru two earthquakes. One happened the other morning when i was asleep.

alright, time to enlighten you on the 'snack' bar phenomenon. 'snack' bars are seedy little establishments where japanese businessmen pay hundreds of dollars a night to simply chat with middle age korean ladies. I think some have sex as a bonus but many of these bars are simply for chatting to a seedy old lady. The other night, i was walking past one on the way home (there are tons in goi) and two men and a chick were standing on the footpath looking very drunk. When i walked past, one guy lifted up her skirt compeltely and she stood there baring her underpants laughing hysterically. They said something to japanese in me which i didnt understand and then toodled off presumably to have their way with each other. Very amusing.

thats about all for now,
hope things are all going swimmingly in your respective lives
peace out and be good to ure mothers