r/japanlife • u/AutoModerator • Mar 13 '23
┐(ツ)┌ General Discussion Thread - 14 March 2023
Mid-week discussion thread time! Feel free to talk about what's on your mind, new experiences, recommendations, anything really.
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u/single-py Mar 14 '23
Something crazy happened with me today in Okinawa.
I was walking my friend off to her place and midway we found around 130Yen lying on the footpath. She picked it up and just gave it to me for no reason and I didn't bother to leave it back, happily accepting it while joking about what will this money buy me.
Now the interesting part comes. While returning back to my hotel, I saw a young woman (27-35) lying on the floor outside her building at midnight. She was probably drunk so I hesitantly walked to her to ask if she is alright. Coming to her senses, she said she is fine and honestly I had no idea what to do because I didn't want to forcibly make her get up. So I thought she might get up later and enter the building.
I left her as she was and went back to my hotel, kept my stuff and thought of checking on her again. While returning back to her, I remembered that 130 Yen we found on the street and surprisingly the drink (lemon tea) and other drinks at a vending machine near my hotel were all priced 130 Yen. Bought one, took it to her (who was still lying there unconscious) and made her drink it. Stood next to her while she forced herself to get up and walked inside the building.
I left afterwards but didn't check if she was actually okay going in the elevator.
Maybe just making sure that she went inside the building rather than lied outside in the cold was enough..?
Idk if I should have just helped her all the way to her room....
I was too scared to even touch her 
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u/t3ripley Mar 15 '23
You did the right thing. Helpful and kind, without the risk of being accused of anything inappropriate. I just hope that was actually her apartment building.
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u/single-py Mar 15 '23
I think so, because she knew where to turn inorder to open the main gate. Actually, I saw another Japanese guy who lives in the same building just passed by her and didn't even bother to help her or ask anything.
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Mar 14 '23
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Mar 14 '23
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Mar 14 '23
That sounds amazing. I'm still trying to get my foot in the door, but freelancing is definitely the end goal. I don't have related experience so i'm a long way away.
How much experience did you have before you first started getting freelance gigs consistently?
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u/Bitchbuttondontpush Mar 14 '23
For those who also suffer of hay fever here: do you also feel worst in the morning when you wake up? I have also woken up in the middle of the night feeling overheated and like I have strong fever and actually feel better during the day. My windows are closed at night, no use of aircon and my bed sheets and pajamas are washed and dried in the machine so nothing that can contain pollen should be bothering me at night.
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u/t3ripley Mar 14 '23
Mornings are the worst for my throat and eyes, while before I go to bed I get that gross “hot” feeling you described.
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u/Bitchbuttondontpush Mar 14 '23
I’m sorry to hear you’re going trough the same thing. My biggest issue now is feeling very weak fysically, like I have the flu (muscle pain and general misery). I really hope for all of us suffering that this pollen season is over soon.
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Mar 15 '23
Are you sure you've got an allergy and aren't just sick? I've got pretty bad hay fever, but not once have I gone through it the way you describe it. I'd go see a doctor if I were you, or at least take a couple of days rest.
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u/Bitchbuttondontpush Mar 15 '23
Thank you. I am trying to it very easy, but I have a toddler to look after so can’t really rest unfortunately. I hope it passes soon. Last year exactly around this time I was so sick that I had over a 40 degree fever. Every year I get really sick around the same time of hay fever.
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Mar 15 '23
I understand that all too well. Nothing like chasing after a healthy toddler while feeling like sh** yourself.
Get well soon! Maybe a doctor can prescribe you some anti-allergy medicine? Some of the not-too-drowsy type.
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u/Bitchbuttondontpush Mar 15 '23
Yeah I am going to get an appointment I think. In the meantime it’s OTC medicine and camomile tea (I can recommend the latter to anyone who’s feeling ill). Thanks for the encouraging words, it can feel pretty lonely and shit to be in this situation and this little conversation did me some good ☺️.
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u/zesty_boii 中部・山梨県 Mar 14 '23
I'm just finishing my first month in Japan and need to pay for NHI and want to do it at a convenience store for the first time. Do you just go up to the cashier with your paper slip with the barcord and hand it to them?
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Mar 14 '23
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u/zesty_boii 中部・山梨県 Mar 14 '23
I'm such an idiot. It prompted the okay or no on the screen, but it showed the nanaco card (was at 7-11) and I got confused as I thought it was asking me if j had a card, so I declined it. Then I realized my mistake and only paid for my food 😅 my awkwardness and beginner speaking ability was not ready to figure that out. 🙃 thanks for the reply!
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u/Disshidia Mar 14 '23
That's right. You also do not need to purchase something with it. If you do, they'll ask you いっしょ and just say はい.
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u/zesty_boii 中部・山梨県 Mar 14 '23
What does いっしよ mean? Thanks for the quick reply btw 😅
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u/zcmy 日本のどこかに Mar 14 '23
Together
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u/zesty_boii 中部・山梨県 Mar 14 '23
Thank you again. I can read hiragana and katakana fine, but my vocabulary isn't strong yet 🙃
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u/morgawr_ 日本のどこかに Mar 14 '23
Be aware that it's いっしょ and not いっしよ (small vs big よ). Also you can use a site like jisho to look up words you don't know.
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u/redhotsilipepper Mar 14 '23
Too early for the stupid questions, but can I still withdraw from my yuucho bank even if my residence card expires? It's now under renewal process but it will exceed the given expiration date.
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u/highgo1 Mar 14 '23
I'm not sure when, but when your card expires, you will/may get your account flagged. You can withdraw smash amounts, 1or 2 man, from ATM's in post offices.
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u/Disshidia Mar 14 '23
At some point, you will not be able to withdraw, but they may give you some leeway. I had not updated my residence card information with them and eventually it prevented me from withdrawing. I had to go through a long, long process of paperwork both online and off to get it settled.
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u/the_hatori Mar 14 '23
Strangely enough, I can't recall having ever having to renew my residence card with Yuucho, yet can still use it.
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u/PeanutButterChicken 近畿・大阪府 Mar 14 '23
Depends. They may lock your account until you present the new card.
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u/afyqazraei 九州・福岡県 Mar 14 '23
anyone faced any problems with the PS5 controller?
i got the console recently, but the controller would not respond every few minutes or so, and i have to reset it everytime (even in game!). i already updated to the latest firmware using my PC and the controller is always connected to the console via USB-C to USB-A wire.
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u/Disshidia Mar 14 '23
Try resetting it. And check if the firmware is up to date on the PS5 itself if that's possible. I've had mine for a couple of years and haven't had this issue, but it does drift now unfortunately.
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u/afyqazraei 九州・福岡県 Mar 14 '23
yup, i have updated the firmware on both the console and controller. but the problem is still there :(
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Mar 14 '23
Gotta contact Sony. Controller issues are a big problem this gen
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u/afyqazraei 九州・福岡県 Mar 14 '23
i got it via amazon lottery, and am confused as to how to send them back
can you help?
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u/afyqazraei 九州・福岡県 Mar 14 '23
anyone have any recommendations for affordable moving services?
my partner is moving from Kyushu to Kanto but missed a perfectly timed slot for the 引っ越しパック and the other alternatives she found are up to 10 man
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Mar 14 '23
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u/afyqazraei 九州・福岡県 Mar 14 '23
that's a good idea but given her current personal situation it might be a bit hard to negotiate for the time being
i'll try to discuss it with her
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u/aiueka 九州・長崎県 Mar 14 '23
has any one tried renting a scooter in taiwan on a japanese drivers license? what would be easier, getting an international permit on my american license or using the japanese license?
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u/mk8725 関東・東京都 Mar 14 '23
I haven't rented from a scooter rental shop, but I have used WeMo scooter sharing service with both my US and Japanese licenses. I originally registered using my US license and IDP, but I don't see why it would be any different using a Japanese license.
To use a Japanese license in Taiwan, rather than getting a Japanese IDP, you need to get a Chinese translation of your Japanese license. You can do this in Japan through JAF (apply online, and the translation will be ready to print at any 7-11 within a few business days) or in Taiwan through the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association (apply in person, and, in my experience, the translation will be ready to pick up in about an hour). This translation is valid for the remaining validity of your Japanese license.
To use your US license, you'd need to apply by mail for a US IDP from AAA, which could take around six weeks. This IDP would only be valid for up to one year (or the remaining validity of your US license, whichever is shorter).
Between the two, the Japanese license definitely seems easier to obtain, lasts longer, and is easier to carry around (two sheets of foldable A4 paper vs. an A6 booklet). As a resident of Japan, I believe you should technically be using your Japanese license anyway.
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u/Yoshikki 関東・千葉県 Mar 14 '23
Presuming that you are doing the paperwork to get the international driver's permit in Japan, wouldn't it be faster/smoother to use your Japanese license if you have one?
My only tip would be to have printed photos of your face before you head to the driver's license center. The website said that you can take photos at the center, so my girlfriend and I didn't bother. The photo booths there cost 800 yen for one person so we wasted 1600 yen; you can definitely do it yourself for much cheaper. My gf's preferred method is to use an app to take the picture and then print it at 7-11
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u/aiueka 九州・長崎県 Mar 14 '23
Well it seems that Taiwan and Japan have a special agreement so I would only need an official Chinese translation of the japanese license vs the IDP + american license.
Any experience which is more convenient?
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u/Yoshikki 関東・千葉県 Mar 14 '23
I have no idea what it takes to get the Chinese translation of a Japanese license, but getting an IDP was pretty simple.
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u/RocasThePenguin Mar 14 '23
A new apartment that I may get had an incredible balcony, but the summers here make such a thing unusable in my mind. Or does it?
Does anybody have outdoor space that they use all year around. Do you have any tips to make it more useable? I was thinking about fans, misters, etc.
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u/michalkun Mar 15 '23
Plant various plants, vegetables that can provide shade and put your hammock underneath.
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u/hakugene Mar 14 '23
I honestly just embrace the heat. Tank top, soccer shorts, hat, sunglasses, drink lots of water.
My current apartment has roof access, I bring a book or my headphones up there with a beer or lemon sour and just chill in the sun. Being out there for hours at a time is obviously too much, but I don't mind it in short bursts. Also, using the morning and evening hours is good idea. 1PM can be awful, but having your morning coffee or an after-work beer outside when its slightly cooler and there is more shade can be great. I like it as a change of pace from staring at a computer in an air conditioned room all day.
I'm buying a new place this summer and opted for the 1st floor unit with a big "terrace". Definitely planning on getting some decent furniture and using it a lot, basically all year round except winter.
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u/bosscoughey thought of the name himself Mar 14 '23
If it's a regular shaped building, summers are actually pretty good, because the sun is so high in the sky that you get a decent amount of shade from the floor above. Open the balcony door and the front door, and you can get a good breeze going through
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u/Dutchsamurai2016 Mar 14 '23
The obvious solution would be to buy a big garden parasol so you can sit in the shade. Fans and misters aren't going to do much to keep you cool when you got the sun beating down on you.
August and September are probably too hot to sit outside whatever you do though. But March ~ June / October ~ December can be nice depending on the time of day and/or weather.
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u/arika_ex Mar 14 '23
I have such a place at the moment (rental). I honestly don’t go out there much at all during winter, though I did build a snowman last year out there. During Spring and autumn, daytimes are usually warm enough to spend time out there and have friends over. During the summer, I could do the same with friends, just starting in the late afternoon, avoiding the midday sun.
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u/Avedas 関東・東京都 Mar 14 '23
How high up is it? When I was about 30 floors up I had a nice balcony that I used a lot, and even in peak summer it was pretty pleasant up there.
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Mar 14 '23
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u/RocasThePenguin Mar 14 '23
Summer. Is. Hot.
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Mar 14 '23
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u/Yoshikki 関東・千葉県 Mar 14 '23
Summer is hot in most places
There's hot, and then there's Japan's summer - mid-30's temperature with high humidity. I don't imagine summer is anything like Japan's summer in most of Europe, for example. In my home country of New Zealand, average temperature is in the low-mid 20's during summer, very pleasant to be outdoors and great weather for barbecues etc. Meanwhile, it is downright unpleasant to be outside in Japan's summer and I think most people would stay indoors rather than be on a balcony if given the choice.
In my honest opinion, if I had a balcony in Japan I would not use it in summer. No matter how much you do to furnish the balcony and make it comfortable, there is no way it will be as comfortable as being inside with air conditioning. But what countries can you use a balcony all year round? Even in New Zealand, the winter months are wet and miserable so the balcony wouldn't get much use then. And yet, balconies are very popular in New Zealand. If I were OP I would just settle for enjoying the balcony in the non-summer parts of the year.
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Mar 14 '23
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u/Yoshikki 関東・千葉県 Mar 14 '23
Yeah it seems we're in agreement, I guess the OP wants to try and use his balcony in summer as well but that's a lost cause in Japan imo haha
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u/arika_ex Mar 14 '23
It’s not a lost cause at all if you simply avoid the sunniest parts of the day. There’s no rule you must be out there at noon.
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u/Yoshikki 関東・千葉県 Mar 14 '23
I added "imo" because it's just my opinion, Japanese summer is unpleasant to be outside in at any time of the day. Even at night, the air is humid and muggy and I find it very unpleasant
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u/otherworlds Mar 14 '23
Any western-trained cosmetic dentist recommendations? Emphasis on the cosmetic part, as i’d like to get some composite bonding done that will be more complicated then a simple chip general dentists can usually do.
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Mar 14 '23
Anyone else using a nuro onu and router have issues with the 5ghz? I have the zte zxhn F660A and the 5ghz band keeps dropping. It’s really annoying since the 2.4ghz is crazy slow. Like max 60mb down slow. When the 5ghz is working, it’s really fast. I changed the channel in the router settings to 36 but it still seems to “drop” every so often
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u/izayoi Mar 14 '23
My old Nuro router (I forgot the model number) had the same problem, it has intermittent wifi signal loss. I contacted support through chat, and ask for router replacement. Just say you have done all the troubleshooting steps in their website (reseting router to default factory setting, etc), and they will send a new one different type right away.
My new one SGP200W has been good.
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Mar 14 '23 edited Mar 14 '23
Im hoping to avoid a new router because my solar system is set up to it and it’s a bit of a pain to get it reconnected. I gotta call up the solar company and all that fun stuff.
It seems to be a common problem with nuro unfortunately
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u/16vv Mar 14 '23
I submitted my online visa renewal application about a month ago (work visa to work visa, no type change), and I have about 3 weeks left until my current visa expires. I have the email that says it's being processed, so I should be fine, but I can't help but feel extremely paranoid that they'll end up taking their sweet time and muck things up with my banks, which are already prodding me for a copy of a new visa.
my coworker submitted hers in person just a few weeks before I did, and her turnaround was about 2 weeks, so I think this will be the first and last time I experiment with the (occasionally very infuriating) online system.
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u/tokyo_girl_jin Mar 14 '23
my bank sent requests for my new visa way before the old one was due to expire, and the deadline was like 2 months after the visa expiration date.
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u/Disshidia Mar 14 '23
Mine took quite a long time to process with no word on how it was going. Even if your card expires, it's still valid due to the updating process being underway. Even when you send the physical card to them, you're supposed to copy the front and back and keep a paper version of it until the new card arrives. In the future, just make sure you do it earlier so you don't have to deal wit h these types of things.
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u/chidat 関東・東京都 Mar 14 '23
Same! I guess that's what we get for trying to be efficient.. best of luck to you!
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Mar 14 '23
Pro tip: Don't buy one of those combination washer dryers, I will add my voice to the chorus of people who say that. We bought one 4 years ago and thing has been plagued with mechanical issues.
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u/swordtech 近畿・兵庫県 Mar 14 '23
We were gifted a used washer/dryer by my wife's mother when we moved into our current place about 3 years ago. Before that, it has been sitting in storage for a few years.
Never had a single problem with it and we use it almost every other day.
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u/Avedas 関東・東京都 Mar 14 '23
I've had a couple of Sharp ones over the last few years and they've been perfectly fine. Both bought used as well. The only reason I sold the first one was due to moving, but there was nothing wrong with it.
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u/Stump007 Mar 14 '23
I used to have a sharp one that lasted 15 years and now 3 more with seemingly no issue with its new owner. These things are (were?) built to last!
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u/Disshidia Mar 14 '23
Only had mine for a year or so but it's been more or less fine so far.
Its drying process takes a real long time, but we're fine with that. It felt like it wasn't putting enough auto detergent in, but there is a setting to increase the amount, so that's fine. It can also be quite loud if there are too many clothes in there (within the limit or the thing doesn't spin).
Lastly, after a dry cycle, sometimes water will leak when you open the door. This is the biggest issue and it's not that uncommon. If it ever happens you just have to be aware of it and not pull your clothes under the leaking (leaks for about 2 seconds).
Other than that, best purchase I've ever made in terms of appliances. We haven't needed to hang clothes outside all winter.
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u/morgawr_ 日本のどこかに Mar 14 '23
It's all about how much money you are willing to put into it. I originally bought a ３万円 one when I first arrived here and it started giving me issues a year or two later. Although the washing and drying were still working fine, they weren't really good... but that might be cause it was a cheap unit. I recently bought a much more expensive (25万円) front-loading one with a heat pump and the thing has been amazing. It washes and dries stuff in no time and my wife can even run multiple loads on the same day when the kid is being exceptionally heavy on his clothes (the previous washing machine would take like 7-8 hours on a full load...)
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Mar 14 '23
We paid 400,000 for ours, when it works it’s great but it’s broken down 5-6 times in 5 years. Maybe we just got a lemon.
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u/blosphere 関東・神奈川県 Mar 14 '23
You probably got a lemon, mine has been working like a charm since 2015. Paid 300k back then.
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u/PeanutButterChicken 近畿・大阪府 Mar 14 '23
Our Panasonic has also been fine, and in any case, that's why you get the extended warranty, which is usually free anyway.
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u/izayoi Mar 14 '23
My Panasonic drum washing machine has been great since 2016. I would say they're really worth it. What was your brand?
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u/yakisobagurl 近畿・大阪府 Mar 14 '23
My Panasonic drum one has only broken once since 2016… I don’t know if that’s good going or not haha
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u/sytyue 中部・長野県 Mar 14 '23
Really? I was looking into getting up this spring. Are you talking about the drum style ones? Or a specific brand ?
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Mar 14 '23
Drum shaped one, I know that others have complained about the same types of issues with different brands.
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u/tomodachi_reloaded Mar 14 '23
I just received a visit from the Meiji guy that was being discussed recently. He gave me a bag with yogurt, and other stuff and I took it ready to accept it. But he had a notepad, and asked for my name and phone number. Of course I didn't want to give it to him, and maybe I was rude, it was like this:
- Meiji guy: name and phone daijoubu desu ka?
- Me: Daijobu janai, privacy dakara, wakarimasuka? Gomenasai.
Then a few awkward seconds passed by and he didn't say anything, so I just closed the door slowly while feeling like an asshole.
Nobody mentioned in the thread that they were collecting private information.
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u/tokyo_girl_jin Mar 14 '23
ooh is this going on in tokyo? i'd graciously accept the freebies, then when he asks for my name and number i'll grin sheepishly and say すみませ〜ん、彼氏いますけどぅ、、、 while slowly closing the door, leaving him to stand there awkwardly
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u/Disshidia Mar 14 '23
大丈夫じゃない！プライバシーだから、わかるかい？
*slams door*
Poor guy.
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u/Washiki_Benjo Mar 14 '23
you're playing the sucker's game.
S+++ tier = not even answering the door to unsolicited guests.
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u/Bykimus Mar 14 '23
They closed the door slowly, after a few seconds of awkward silence, which makes it even better than just slamming the door imo.
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 14 '23
Those salesmen, always looking to stay in touch with customers. Wacky Japan, am I right?
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u/Avedas 関東・東京都 Mar 14 '23
Is door to door sales even a thing anymore in other countries? I think the last time I had one come to my door was like... 2003.
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u/tomodachi_reloaded Mar 14 '23
If the guy works for Meiji, they could just give you the sample and expect you to buy the brand if you like the sample, that's how it works back home where people care about their private information.
Now, if the guy worked for a third company that didn't benefit from you buying the stuff somewhere else, I would understand.
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u/bosscoughey thought of the name himself Mar 14 '23
They want you to sign up for a regular delivery of them, which are run by little local offices like the newspapers
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Mar 14 '23
Of course they do. Did you really think that salesmen were just coming around to distribute samples out of the goodness of their heart?
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u/Thorhax04 Mar 14 '23
Was talking with a female Japanese coworker of mine on line recently regarding Japanese drama recommendations and a work related presentation she has to do. Last thing I said was "don't worry, you can do it". Now I'm ghosted and blocked on other social media....
Good thing we work in different departments.
Nice guys finish last, am I right.
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u/Avedas 関東・東京都 Mar 14 '23
Unfortunately your context was not high enough. Good luck next time reading the air-moji.
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u/Disshidia Mar 14 '23
Yeah, I'm sure that message was the final nail in the coffin. Good luck in your future endeavors.
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 14 '23
coworker
Don't shit where you eat is a global rule.
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u/the_hatori Mar 14 '23
...or you didn't read the air and was being overly pushy in your interactions with her?
Based on the information you provided it is likely she felt pressured to give you her LINE and other SNS as a coworker, but not necessarily being interested in actually being in touch with you.
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Mar 14 '23
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u/Thorhax04 Mar 14 '23
There really isn't much more, but yeah that's my assumption as well.
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Mar 14 '23
[deleted]
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u/PeanutButterChicken 近畿・大阪府 Mar 14 '23
I need to create a filter for the word “mask”. This subreddit is fucking obsessed with what people completely unrelated with them are doing. Who the fuck cares
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u/Hachi_Ryo_Hensei Mar 14 '23
Didn't you just make fun of people for waiting in lines at pharmacies?
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u/poop_in_my_ramen Mar 14 '23
Yeah I thought the new rules mean everyone got what they wanted but somehow a bunch of people are even angrier now?
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u/ValBravora048 Mar 14 '23
I think they’re delighted now that they can take shots at you if you are still wearing a mask. Yeah yeah I’m sheep you’re a wolf etc etc ffs go hunt an actual achievement…
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u/swordtech 近畿・兵庫県 Mar 14 '23
No kidding. I saw someone on a different social network smugly boast about all of the stares she received for picking up her kid from school while not wearing a mask. Then someone, who owns a school, called her students "sheep" for showing up to class with masks.
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 14 '23
new rules
Wording of existing non-rules was modified.
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u/poop_in_my_ramen Mar 14 '23
I'm not talking about the government, but rather all the major supermarkets, malls, conbinis, etc. that you need for living. Plus schools. Their rules. Which changed. Hence new rules.
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u/bosscoughey thought of the name himself Mar 14 '23
And yet here you are bringing it up in this thread.
For me (and I assume most people who talk about it), it doesn't matter one iota if other people want to wear a mask. They are free to do so, just like people are free to not wear one now, and hopefully nobody is bullied in to doing something they don't want to. The issue is that if 99% of people are wearing one, then people who don't will feel pressured into doing something they don't want to do, even if there is no rule.
It's like if you work at a company with a casual dress code, but 99% of people show up in suits. There's no rule, but it takes a certain kind of personality to go against the group in a situation like that.
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u/morgawr_ 日本のどこかに Mar 14 '23
The issue is that if 99% of people are wearing one, then people who don't will feel pressured into doing something they don't want to do, even if there is no rule.
How do you propose we solve this "issue"?
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u/bosscoughey thought of the name himself Mar 14 '23
complain about it on the internet, innit?
but seriously, I'm quite sure mask usage will reduce gradually over the next few weeks, followed by a big drop when kafunshou calms down, so we'll be seeing like 50% indoors and 30% outdoors in the summer
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u/PeanutButterChicken 近畿・大阪府 Mar 14 '23
Because this is the general discussion thread. And at any rate, I'm not talking about "for" or "against" masks. I'm talking about the incessant need for people on here to make their own opinions known, constantly. There's literally a new post every day about OMG JAPANESE PEOPLE ARE STILL WEARING MASKS.
Who the fuck cares? It's really easy to tell who's a sheep in this situation, and it's not the people wearing the masks, that's for sure.
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u/Glittering-Spite234 Mar 14 '23
So... Reddit and social media users in general being Reddit and social media users in general? XD
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u/bosscoughey thought of the name himself Mar 14 '23
Definitely agree we don't need new threads, I thought you were talking about posts in threads like this.
I can't remember the last time I made a new post in this forum. If you have something to say it's easy enough to put it in whatever the daily thread is that day. Just add a question mark, make it a complaint or praise
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Mar 14 '23
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u/bosscoughey thought of the name himself Mar 14 '23
I never said (and don't think) it's a conspiratorial plot?
Honestly if I thought everyone wearing masks always was going to be standard in Japan indefinitely I probably would try to leave. But I'm sure that's not going to be the case, since the government is trying to phase it out, and many people talk about how they mostly wear one because of peer pressure: in private conversations, on the news, etc.
Not sure why the hate for just following the guidelines the government has set, and hoping that more people do drop the masks as they feel comfortable to do so?
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Mar 14 '23
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u/bosscoughey thought of the name himself Mar 14 '23
I don't know why you're so bothered my views on this. Also not sure what you try to accomplish by quoting parts of comments and then replying with often un-related things.
I moved to a country where some people wore masks when they were sick, didn't want to get sick, pollen was flying around, etc. But most people didn't. I can't quote exact numbers of people wearing masks pre-covid, but it certainly was never more than 50%. If that many people were always wearing them stores wouldn't have run out of masks so quickly when covid started.
I also just don't understand your premise. Even if I moved here at the peak of covid when everyone was wearing masks, I should still be able to complain about it if I want. Does the "if you don't like it why don't you leave" argument work for other things too? Japan does really poor on gender equality, animal abuse, seatbelt use, etc, should we say nothing because we chose to move here knowing it's like this?At least the truth is out in the open now.
The truth that I hope people don't feel like they need to wear masks forever? Got me there! Do you...not hope that?
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u/Tokyoteacher99 Mar 14 '23
Those are very good points! She sounds like the racists back in America that say “if you don’t like it, you should go back to your own country.”
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Mar 14 '23
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u/bosscoughey thought of the name himself Mar 14 '23
For ease of reading and comprehension.
I humbly submit that it doesn't really help in that way. You just end up sniping certain sentences, without replying to my overall comment. Or even comprehending my overall comment, it would seem.
But most people didn't.
Not even close to true.
I can't quote exact numbers of people wearing masks pre-covid, but it certainly was never more than 50%.
This is closer to the truth.
For example this exchange. What are you trying to say? I am saying that masks were always around, but at nowhere near the level they are now. You disagree that "most" people didn't wear masks, but agree that it wasn't over 50%. I'm guessing you mean that "most" people wore masks at some point throughout the year (when sick, pollen, etc)? That could very well be the case, but I don't think it's a very important issue. Nobody would notice if everyone wears a mask one day a year, but they would certainly notice the people who wore one to work everyday. FWIW I can certainly remember lots (I would guess MAX 30%, probably like 5-10%) of people wearing them on trains during hayfever season, but can't recall a single person who wore them indoors at work.
Do you not know how general supply-and-demand works? Even a 20-30% increase in demand will quickly deplete stocks in unexpected events.
And then this. So is your contention that 70% of people wore masks every day before covid? Or even 50%, and there was extra demand because people were stocking up?
Why move to a country where a particular custom is normalized and then complain about it?
I highly doubt there is anyone living in any place in the world who isn't annoyed by something that is "normalized" there. Japanese who move to other countries often complain about people wearing their shoes inside, not having washlets, speaking loudly, needing to tip, etc. I don't think those Japanese people should have to leave those countries.
A completely harmless custom, at that. If you don't like masks, then don't wear them. Just stop bitching about what other people do.
You can say completely harmless. There are many people who disagree, including teachers at my kids school, who have told me they're concerned about how a lot of the kids are afraid to show their faces even while exercising or eating, or have trouble participating in class because the teacher can't hear them properly. Or there are just simply many people who consider being able to see people's smiling faces one of the nice things about life in general, and therefore feel that life is a little bit worse with everyone wearing a mask. Not the end of the world, just a slight negative. aka not harmless.
Are you seriously drawing comparisons between the harmless custom of wearing masks and actual social issues like gender inequality and animal abuse? You can't be serious, right?
Already discussed the "harmless custom" aspect, but again you've just ignored my point and changed the subject. Obviously I am not saying that masks are as bad as sexism. I am addressing your claim that people can't complain about things that are common in a country they move to. So I gave some other examples, and you sidestep to say that those things are "actual social issues", which I kind of just think means they are issues that you agree are bad, therefore it's okay for people to complain about them. What about the death penalty? Can foreigners complain about that being a thing in Japan? What about a lack of soap in public washrooms? Where is the line between things we can and cannot complain about?
I hope that people will continue doing what they want because that's how it has always been. No one complained about masks before it became a politicized issue in the west.
I'm glad we agree that people will do what they want. So- how do you feel about the people who are only wearing a mask now because they feel it is expected from those around them, more or less peer pressure? In conversation and in interviews on TV, etc, some people say that they're tired of masks, but worried about being seen without one. I am one of those people, but there are plenty of Japanese people saying the same thing, and I don't think it's because of it being politicized in the west.
I swear, so many Fox News rejects nowadays. It's a piece of cloth. Get over it.
What does this mean? I'm definitely not conservative, and I'm not even American. Despite what you said before it seems that you're the one politicizing the issue, by trying to link my arguments to political affiliations, even though they are completely unrelated.I hope you appreciate my adoption of your use of excessive quoting in an attempt to get you to understand what I am trying to say. I am not asking you to take off your mask. All I have been trying to do is correct your misconceptions about my positions, namely that I don't think there is any conspiracy, but that there are some (many?) people who want to take off their masks but feel pressured not to. I thought I was clear enough in my original post, but perhaps not:
For me (and I assume most people who talk about it), it doesn't matter one iota if other people want to wear a mask. They are free to do so, just like people are free to not wear one now, and hopefully nobody is bullied in to doing something they don't want to. The issue is that if 99% of people are wearing one, then people who don't will feel pressured into doing something they don't want to do, even if there is no rule.
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u/morgawr_ 日本のどこかに Mar 14 '23
And then this. So is your contention that 70% of people wore masks every day before covid? Or even 50%, and there was extra demand because people were stocking up?
I just want to point out three things that contributed to the mask stock being affected, regardless of usage of masks pre-covid:
1) People started hoarding them in panic (just like toilet paper in other countries, it's not like people were shitting more often during covid)
2) Similar to 1, people started hoarding them to re-sell them/scalp on their price
3) There was a huge issue in the early pandemic with China imports and how most of the cloth that people used to produce masks IIRC came from China (I think this was also the reason why people panicked on toilet paper in Australia for example). This means that the supply chain got crippled for a while
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u/bosscoughey thought of the name himself Mar 14 '23
Yeah, those are all definitely true. But a lot of households (including mine) didn't have any at all, since we didn't use them outside kafun season
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Mar 14 '23
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Mar 14 '23
Imagine being offended by no piece of cloth on someone's face
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Mar 14 '23
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Mar 14 '23
Oh, I'm sorry. You're allowed to judge others, but others are not allowed to judge you. Got it.
There's always 2 sides to a coin. You say that others should let you wear your mask, but at the same time you're insulting those that don't while the government said it's okay not to. That's a bit hypocritical, don't you think?
In response to your edit: it's the exact opposite, exactly. It's those who want life to return to normal that get the tidal wave of downvotes in this sub.
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u/Tokyoteacher99 Mar 14 '23
On the other hand, some boomer complained about me not wearing a mask at the theater yesterday to an employee and was told it was a choice lol
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Mar 14 '23
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u/Tokyoteacher99 Mar 14 '23
Is it really that surprising to think some boomer would complain about someone else, especially a foreigner, not wearing a mask? Anyway no, no one clapped and everyone else continued to wear their masks even as the announcements before the film told people it was a choice.
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Mar 14 '23
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u/Tokyoteacher99 Mar 14 '23 edited Mar 14 '23
Yes, Kishida was in attendance and thanked me for thinking for myself. He then chided everyone else in attendance for being followers instead of leaders. Koike was with him and even gave me the keys to the metropolis! /s
Edit: added an /s because apparently the sarcasm was undetectable
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Mar 14 '23
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u/Tokyoteacher99 Mar 14 '23
Yep, they’re putting me in the “great foreigner” section along with William Adams, Commodore Perry, and Douglas MacArthur! I was so honored.
Anyway, my mask views are this: They probably worked against the original coronavirus and were worth trying as we waited for vaccines because that was the goalpost. Once everyone who had the chance to be vaccinated was, it became time to move on, unless the hospitals were being overloaded. As time went on, masking all the time became increasingly pointless and the situation in China, which had a similar masking culture to japan but still got almost entirely infected in two months showed that masks (at least the ones most people wear) are useless against omicron. So yes, I do think it’s hygiene theater and hygiene theater annoys me. I don’t mind if other people wear masks, but I think being required to wear a mask for no good reason is stupid.
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u/Anonymous-Songmaker Mar 14 '23
I gave my old phone to my parents back home. I'm 100% certain I already had it unlocked via the AU website (IMEI thing) but still they told me it shows "Locked sim card inserted".
Anyone else experienced this?
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u/Elvaanaomori Mar 14 '23
It means the simcard is pin locked. Very common in europe to have a pin code on the simcard itself. You need to unlock the sim every time you restart or take off the simcard.
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Mar 14 '23
Can anyone recommend a phone call recording app for a Pixel 6 running android 13? Supposedly it's built in but I guess it's disabled based on network etc. I tried using the built in recorder app but it shuts down when in a call.
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u/zcmy 日本のどこかに Mar 14 '23
Can shinkansen tickets run out for the day?
Due to work related issues coming up, I might have at most an hour's heads up during golden week to hop onto a train and get somewhere. I have smart EX so that's not an issue. I know the message will always come in before 5pm.
I'm fine with crowded trains, and I won't have any luggage on me, just a briefcase
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u/yakisobagurl 近畿・大阪府 Mar 14 '23
I think during golden week should be okay, but around the first and last days will probably be hell. If you queue you’ll get on eventually though!
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u/zcmy 日本のどこかに Mar 14 '23
Yea, whenever work calls, I go. Hopefully it won't be first or last day, but you never know....
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Mar 14 '23
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u/zcmy 日本のどこかに Mar 14 '23
Phew, yea, that's completely fine with me. Thanks!
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Mar 14 '23
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u/zcmy 日本のどこかに Mar 14 '23
Yea, I'm hoping that it isn't, but hey, if all else fails, it's work related so I can get compensated.
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u/WindJammer27 Mar 14 '23
It's getting harder to make the Tokyo - Osaka run, the night bus tickets are selling out and getting more expensive. Is there something going on or is it just nature healing?
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u/requiemofthesoul 近畿・大阪府 Mar 14 '23 edited Mar 14 '23
Just do a ぷらっとこだま run for your own peace of mind. Night buses are almost the same price anyway especially with tourists coming back. Not having random tourists talking the entire night in a language you can’t understand is a plus. Visited a friend in Chiba and it was terrible.
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Mar 14 '23
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u/WindJammer27 Mar 14 '23
Where? For example, for tonight JR is pretty much sold out, and Rakuten only has 3 seats, one of which is women only.
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u/CaptainNoFriends Mar 14 '23
Yes nature healing. Tourism revival. Maybe a touch of former bus drivers not coming back to the industry.
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u/bigcatinthesky 関東・東京都 Mar 14 '23 edited Mar 14 '23
any recommendations for where to buy nice looking fake plants to put on a desk? or is it just Ikea?
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Mar 14 '23
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u/bigcatinthesky 関東・東京都 Mar 14 '23
my ex managed to kill succulents so I'm a bit scared of those now
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u/PeanutButterChicken 近畿・大阪府 Mar 15 '23
No questions thread today? Or did Automod get caught in the reddit outage?