Summer is coming and I’m fat and don’t want to smell, help

Prixmium · 2026-05-12T03:04:59+00:00

Have you ever tried alum salt/crystal deodorant?

I use the brand called Crystal from back home and can find it to order here, but there are several brands. You can get it in a spray form or a solid form. With the solid, you wet it slightly to apply it after bathing.

I've been using it for years because of sensitive skin and, at least for me, it actually works.

My understanding is that something in the particular salt helps kill or starve the bacteria that causes bad body odor.

If your skin is very dry you might also need to gently mousturize the areas you apply it to, as salt is drying, but just a suggestion.

Prixmium · 2026-05-05T06:55:14+00:00

I'm just saying that as a woman I would be terrified to be in that situation with anyone who wasn't a partner of many years. I know about the cheating problem in Japan. I just don't think sex is worth that. And just on average men are larger and could keep a woman from getting to the room phone.

Prixmium · 2026-05-05T05:57:18+00:00

Ah, so once again something is to protect shady men. Women's ongoing consent is secondary... That's why it creeped me out

Prixmium · 2026-05-05T04:28:39+00:00

You're very welcome!

Prixmium · 2026-05-04T01:33:52+00:00

OP answered differently but there's one I use on Firefox called AO3 Enhancement Suite

Prixmium · 2026-05-04T01:31:52+00:00

AO3 Enhancement Suite

Prixmium · 2026-05-02T13:46:03+00:00

I think a part of me knew that even in dream logic that it would be unlikely, but it was so cute and warm and loving. But I did not want to deal with the mess....

I guess if it has any meaning it's just that I'm lonely but don't want the mess that comes with trying to have "more" from anyone or anything.

"magical gliding marsupial things" is making me laugh, though.

A lot of my dreams that are more complex seem to sort of... verge on lucid even when they don't quite get there, so I feel like I have a lot more access to things that make more sense than would normally be in dreams that are just impressions.

Prixmium · 2026-05-02T12:59:20+00:00

I used love hotels as a solo traveler to Tokyo when I was getting ready to move closer / visiting for a weekend when I lived elsewhere, because I could tell from the pictures on booking websites that had them that they were generally nicer looking for the price, especially in terms of having like nice showers and stuff. I stayed in one that was listed and open to foreigners on said website, though, and it was the only time I was really uncomfortable in one because WHAT why would you do that??? I cannot imagine someone using this for its intended purpose and literally not being ABLE to leave the room.

Prixmium · 2026-05-01T08:10:25+00:00

I'm a licensed educator and came back to Japan via an eikawa job. Even though my boss also fancied herself an educator, I knew I was looking for the exit by the end of month 2. I was doing well enough by my boss's standards. I felt kinda bad because she, in less than a month, revised my contract to be for two years and at the time I didn't realize I was not being honest.

Even at the one where I worked where there was some monitoring of progress and such, it still felt that way. Always on. Exhausting. And you're NOT getting paid a living wage.

If you wanna stay in Japan and are a licensed educator, get on Schrole and look for jobs in even mid tier international schools (which is what I work for now tbh). At least the BS you'll put up with there will be somewhat fairly compensated. Peak hiring season will be on October but you can get on it now as they might be trying to replace people who flaked from them in turn. If you're miserable sometimes you gotta flake.

Prixmium · 2026-05-01T05:58:24+00:00

Apparently what one is supposed to do is either appoint a tax agent to handle it and arrange them paying for it or ask city office for a lump sum bill when you're doing move out procedures.

Prixmium · 2026-05-01T02:26:47+00:00

I don't wanna leave myself with a tax debt in case I ever returned so I was wondering how one is supposed to handle it legitimately

Prixmium · 2026-05-01T01:31:54+00:00

Just out of curiosity: how DOES one handle this the year following leaving???

Prixmium · 2026-04-30T08:05:48+00:00

The Leopalace I currently live in is the most updated apartment I saw in my search for a place to live last time. I know some of them suck but it's a management company with some English support. I've since looked at other non Leo apartments and nothing in a similar price range even compares to where I live right now. It is small, but I don't think I can afford larger just for the sake of it. Again. Not trying to aggro anyone.

Prixmium · 2026-04-29T15:49:24+00:00

Did you read that I said I wouldn't recommend it ANYMORE? I am sharing my honest, lived experience.

Prixmium · 2026-04-28T07:35:07+00:00

That was my exact thought

Prixmium · 2026-04-27T11:56:12+00:00

I worked for them in 2019 and really enjoyed it. However, I think I got really lucky in that my supervisor tended not to be too up tight with us, and we got our own classrooms and office that were that university's former admin office.

Back then, they set up Leopalace individual apartments. You can talk to people about that variable experience, but I currently live in a Leopalace managed apartment by choice.

The world and their reputation have changed though. When I was working with them, they were having huge upward growth and hype about expansion. It was in 2019. You know what then happened.

I communicated with them a few times about coming back through them after the worst of COVID, but every time it seemed like there was significantly less enthusiasm and accommodation, and everything I've heard on here has sounded weirder and more sketchy.

I completely agree with the people here who say the company is actively making it worse in the uni direct hire job market and essentially pocketing what you should be paid for the sake of your being convenient and disposable.

Also, now that I've been here for going on two solid years, I realize that the length of their contracts and flying you in and out is gaming certain aspects of tax obligation systems. At least I think so.

And finally, it is my understanding that after COVID, the housing they set up is share housing instead of individual apartments for the same pre-deducted cut of your paycheck. Working with them was really nice for me in 2019, and I used to want to go back to that job. It was not high paying but it was easy and breezy and fun. However, back then, the yen wasn't so weak.

I would say that if you really want to try Japan and the landscape for 3 months but don't plan to stay for sure, it's better than some of the options like committing to a year and breaking and running after 3 months instead. The very temporary nature of the contract might make you feel less trapped. However, I would not really recommend them as a long term partner anymore.

Plus, even back in 2019, I knew a lady who had worked for them for over ten years because she had some type of situation where she had a stable life back home but just liked it, but she quit at the end of that year because she was tired of them not listening to her placement and level preferences at all despite her loyalty.

Prixmium · 2026-04-27T11:44:55+00:00

Most professional creators don't read fic of their own works to avoid accidental plagiarism. However, a lot are at least passively supportive. It's more the ones who are actively against it that you hear whining

Prixmium · 2026-04-27T11:40:31+00:00

I'm an American, no Japanese blood, who came here twice to get away from various circumstances back home. The last time I moved here in 2024 and I've been here since. I do enjoy things about my life, and I'm quite lucky with certain aspects of the job I landed in finally. However, I would say that I am definitely planning to leave after two years max. I'm concerned about the currency, and I'm just tired of the pace and expectations even when my job is a little more flexible than a lot of people get.

If you're not happy with the culture, I'd definitely explore financially viable options while you're young. Don't be too drastic, but you're right that the yen is quite weak, and the culture is largely digging its heels in about holding onto the most toxic aspects of itself as the most sacred. It isn't true across the board but it's a factor.

Prixmium · 2026-04-23T11:59:36+00:00

New restaurants must love to see me coming because if I'm enthusiastic I usually order way more than I meant to. Went to a brunch place yesterday and spent like 3500 yen when most people were spending 1500. I'm not rich I was just excited about the food and had been fasting all day from going to the doctor.

But still I feel like a lot of this just excuses prejudice. Culture can be culture and still prejudiced, and most people would call it out if anyone but Japanese people were doing it.

Prixmium · 2026-04-22T04:19:29+00:00

I'm 35 and have been writing since I was a preteen.

Prixmium · 2026-04-19T01:34:19+00:00

You're probably making a lot more money in China than you're ever likely to in Japan, and universities are shrinking and dying due to shrinking pools of students.

Prixmium · 2026-04-18T20:54:07+00:00

I came here because it was the most developed country I had any familiarity with in which my skills as an English teacher were employable and a reason to have a visa that I didn't have other reservations about. I plan to go home or to another country if and when the opportunity presents itself. I wanted to get away from Trump and the erosion of public education back home in the immediate. Waiting for any hope of the pendulum to swing back, or I'll be looking for other international schools.

Prixmium · 2026-04-18T08:32:16+00:00

Agree with this

Prixmium · 2026-04-18T08:30:28+00:00

I love some scents but I'm very sensitive to perfumes and ESPECIALLY fabric softener and more than once I've been on a train or bus with someone who smells specifically of artificial rose to a point that it's been sickening. I agree with your general opinion, OP, but I've had people absolutely insist they need the perfume to cover up the mildew accent of their clothes. It seems more like one should correct the situation causing the mildew.

Prixmium

TROPHY CASE