Japan has plenty of good food, but sometimes, we just really lust for American fast food. This episode is one of those times. We also talk about eating for novelty vs. eating because the food is good. Transcript K: So, lately I’ve been thinking about Jack in the Box and Uber Eats. (laughs) Because,...
Money and banking in Japan: The cash is big, the banks are very rigid, and everything we thought we knew about (consumer) banking had to be relearned in Japan, which does it in a completely different way. Transcript K: So, lately I’ve been thinking about banking and bill paying, which we kind off talked...
The treatment of disability and disabled people differs a lot between Japan and the US. In the US, more lip service is given to accommodation. In Japan, other forms of support are more readily available. Broadly, with numerous exceptions. Transcript K: So, lately I’ve been thinking about disability in the U.S. versus disability in...
Japan has hundreds of festivals, some famous, and some less so. We tried to talk about those, but only got to a few because we also talk about other entertainment and digress a lot. Transcript K: So, lately I’ve been thinking about festivals and holidays in Japan, and I think that’s because we’re coming...
Gun violence is prevalent in the United States but not in Japan. It’s a difference that is palpable to those who have lived in both cultures and goes far beyond the statistics. Content Note: Discussion of gun violence, domestic violence, and other violence, including personal experiences with it. Transcript K: So, today’s episode is...
I have been in several relationships before my current one, but I have never before had a girlfriend actually meet either of my parents. While I have talked about my previous girlfriends with them and received advice or shared my experiences, it’s a very different thing. I have had several conversations in the past...
Japan and the United States have very different ideas about pain management, health care, and how people ought to feel. Both of us having medical issues means we’ve had a lot of experience with both systems, and we compare the two from our perspectives. Transcript K: So, lately I’ve been thinking a lot about...
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to become a parent. I’m not sure when the desire popped into my head, or why. All I know is that it’s been the only thing in my life that I’ve wanted for so long. When I was younger, it was just a fantasy life...
Japanese and United States cultures differ greatly in the amount of touch considered acceptable between strangers, among family, and in general. We talk about our experiences as Americans being touched a lot less in Japan. Content Note: Discussion of non-consensual touching Transcript K: So, lately I’ve been thinking about the difference in between touching...
Lately, I’ve been learning a lot about pacing in a relationship. In the past, I didn’t pay much attention to how certain activities either sped up or slowed down a relationship. Nor did I really think about what that meant. This led to me, unintentionally, sending mixed signals to previous dating partners. I didn’t...