War Liberal

Sounds like a cult, dude. Next thing you'll know, you'll be working there and tripping on Boojie, or whoever the hell they worship these days.

Y'know, when I first moved to Japan, everyone so polite, I kept wondering what their angle was. Typical conversation those first couple of weeks (not counting horrible Nihon/English language barrier):

"I'd like to open an account."

"Yes, thank you very much, sir. How many would you like?"

"Um, just one. I didn't know what form to fill out, and I can't read it anyways."

"Oh, don't worry about that! We'll do it for you!"

"Uh, I don't know."

"It's no trouble at all. Here's your account number! You can pay your gas and electricity bill, as well. Would you like to set that up?"

"Ye-"

"There you go, all done. All you have to do is stamp this sheet? Do you have a stamp?"

"Uh, no."

"We'll make one for you. Would you like it in Kanji or Romanji?"

"Kanji?"

"Hang on just a second, sir. I'm so very sorry about the delay. Here you are, sir!"

"Okay, what's the catch?"

"The catch? I don't understand?"

"The angle, the small print. When do I get fucked?"

"We could-"

"Don't tell me you offer that?"

"I'm very sorry, we do not, sir, but we can provide you with a list-"

"That's okay. Thank you very much."

"Thank you very much, sir."

A cult? That would make a lot of sense. Like why my stepmother is so insistent on shopping there even for things where there's no difference between there and the local chains. ("The Rice-a-Roni is better at Publix!") I kid; my stepmother would never buy Rice-a-Roni.

I've heard that about Japan. Also, that you can't get them to say no. "Can I skateboard into the Imperial Palace." "Maybe."

Better yet, Stryker, you could find a Kirin in a vending machine outside your apartment (at least I could outside MY apartment). ;)

I finally learned enough Kanji to recognize Yokohama on the train signs, which meant I knew how to get to Yokosuka if I was going south.

Let's see...of the seven supermarkets I go past regularly, four have grocery carryout and three do not. If a store has carryout and you have a large order, they will ask you if you want a carryout if you're lucky. If you're not lucky, they'll put the order in their cart without asking and start to push it out. This being the North, "sir" or "ma'am" is only used when the customer appears to be 30 years older than the bagger.

I used to bag, and on nice days the carryout was the best part of the job. This being Indiana, most days were not nice.

Ahh Publix. While they've gotten a little more variable, still a great outfit that actually treats its employees like humans.

Now, if you want a truly mind-blowing grocery experience, try Wegman's, in upstate NY, PA and NJ. I have to go to 3-5 stores to do what I could in a single Wegman's, and that's not counting the sub shop or the dry cleaners. Aside from being family owned and treating their employees well, they offer scholarships to their teenage workers - a great motivating factor and a great driver for selecting smarter kids.

I miss Wegman's.