Japanisms

After living in Japan for a year, Edwin is very used to the quirky, cute and strange things that make Japan Japan. I spent most of our 12 days there repeating the phrase "I've never seen anything like this before - this must be only in Japan!"
Some of my favourite "Japanisms" include:
- the bathrooms: heated seats on the toilets that also wash you (front and back) with nice warm water; speakers in the women's public toilets that make a flushing sound so that you don't have to be embarassed when you splash; and hand dryers that mean business (so powerful your hands are really dry in about 5 seconds)
- the vending machines: about 20 kinds of hot and cold coffee, tea, cocoa, soup, fries, and chicken nuggets are available in machines that are never more than a 1 minute walk from wherever you are in Japan. Beer and sake are also available, but you have to have a special card which indicates you are of age to purchase alcohol.
- the use of English: strange use of English everywhere - my favourite is a sign for a lingerie shop stating: "honeymoon night - beautiful night, romantic night, memorial night."
- really thoughtful and clever things like: plastic sheaths for your umbrella that are free in front of most department stores, free sonic eyeglass washing stations in front of optometrists, free reading glasses for use at the post office, and mirrors at the top of the overhead bins of the Japanese airlines, so you can see if you've left anything behind.
- at restaurants ordering your food by pointing at the plastic facsimile, or by going to a vending machine, inserting your money, and placing your own order. A ticket is printed which you then hand to a waitress who brings you your food when it is ready.
- American celebrities endorsing Japanese products - Cameron Diaz and Brad Pitt appearing in posters and television ads for a mobile phone company; Tommy Lee Jones appearing very haggard on many coffee vending machines, for "Boss" coffee
- smoking is allowed almost everywhere, and people bring their own "portable ashtrays".
- an infatuation with Audry Hepburn - photos of her appear in advertisements
- guide strips on all sidewalks, subways, and in shopping malls for blind people to walk along
- individually packaged everything from vegetables to candies to teaspoons
- endless bowing and politeness of the people
- internet cafes that people seem to live at - booths with sofas, televisions, and computers - drinks, toothbrushes and toothpaste are all included in the price.
- the precision of JR Rail - you can literally set your watch by the departure and arrival times of the trains without fail.
- trying to balance your backpack on your back as you take off your shoes and put on the slippers provided by hostels and guesthouses. Most also have a separate pair of slippers that are left in the toilet room and are not to be taken out of the toilet room.
- everything cute! Trinkets on mobile phones, hanging off purses and bags, bows and ribbons in girls' hair. Same thing applies for their dogs - small dogs with ribbons and bows, mostly being carried by their owners on the street.
- people handing out free tissues on street corners.
- good luck charms at temples for everything from success in school to health to "traffic safety".
- clothing and cars in all shades of black, white, silver and beige

Location: Beijing, China