The Strange Land of Japan

I went to Japan a few years ago. It was a great cultural learning experience to say the least. I did enjoy it. Especially learning about old Japan. If you ever have the chance to visit I highly recommend it. There were times though when I would walk around Tokyo and I felt as though I was in a modern U.S. city but there had been an alien invasion. The customs and mannerisms are so different. Of course I was one out of a million in a sea of Japanese. I don't know if tourism is down in the winter but I didn't see much of my own kind. It just made the immersion experience that much better. One of the mannerisms that's different is on the subway. It is impolite to look at someone else so everyone either looks at the floor, reads or pretends to sleep.
One bright sunny day I decided to wear my sunglasses. I admired myself in the mirror and thought, "man those Japanese are going to think I am a cool looking American". Before I even left my friend's apartment (my friend was teaching English there at the time) she said "Japanese people think only criminals wear sunglasses". I didn't know whether to believe her or not. She is known to B.S. a bit. As the day went on and we traveled around the city I realized no one was wearing sunglasses. The sun could be searing one's retina and they just didn't care. Japanese must have an inner eyelid like Spock on Star Trek. So I gave in and took off my glasses. I didn't want to be taken down by some Japanese ninja school girl like on Kill Bill Vol. 1. I know you guys out there are thinking hell yeah, but no. Most Japanese don't know what toothpaste and braces mean. Note to self: Do not expand Sunglass Hut to Japan. Scrap oral hygiene conference as well. The point of the story (before it gets too long) is once you think you have the Japanese figured out they do something that makes you say, "WTF". There is this new popular character on T.V. in Japan. His name is Hard Gay. He plays pranks on people and some parents even allow their kids to play with him. Now there is merchandise with his likeness on it including a Disney Character wearing Hard Gay clothing. If that shit happened here his ass would be kicked nine ways to Sunday.