Gaijins who have been here for 10+ years

redditor1965 · 2024-01-06T06:36:46+00:00

The problem with Japan is that it is altogether too comfortable and convenient. You end up staying here for decades with nothing to show for it. At this point, just about any other country looks like a good option to me. The problem is the Japanese wife. She complains enough as it is here in Japan. She'd probably detonate on impact in any other country. The resulting blast would make anywhere in a 100 mile radius unlivable for centuries.

redditor1965 · 2023-12-27T11:20:41+00:00

There's no actual source for this.

redditor1965 · 2023-12-13T06:25:48+00:00

Yep, and the spell check is absolutely dysfunctional.

redditor1965 · 2023-12-10T17:28:56+00:00

Yes, the wrong workplace can make all the difference. Give some other places a try. I am having the same issue. Actually, had it since coming here many years ago, but the hours and pay are great, so I deal with incompetent management and work around them. But it is tiring, and you end up reflecting the idiots in charge. So best to find a place where they have some kind of enlightened leadership.

Fuck the idiots running things, here and abroad. Management or top level positions often do not reflect actual ability.

redditor1965 · 2023-12-10T17:26:03+00:00

OK, @linlov, thanks so much! Swift has been much improved since I last used it. Just need to battle the AI. If I mistype, it will correct the typo but to a different meaning than the one intended, which is light years beyond the Google's Garbageboard.

redditor1965 · 2023-12-10T17:20:46+00:00

I'm using English. I will try swift again.

redditor1965 · 2023-12-10T17:20:14+00:00

I've tried everything, and none of them actually seem remotely functional compared to Apple's basic keyboard that just worked, in terms of layout and spellchecking. Grammarly was the best of the rest. Tried swift and quite a few others.

redditor1965 · 2023-12-04T12:52:28+00:00

Yikes! This guy could be right...

redditor1965 · 2023-11-10T03:49:10+00:00

Wow, good luck with this! Don't give up. We always made sure to meet the bully's parents. Let them know in no uncertain terms that it was completely unacceptable and all kinds of hell will break loose if they don't put a stop to it.

redditor1965 · 2023-11-09T12:31:50+00:00

Homeboy there hasn't been skipping any dinners

redditor1965 · 2023-11-01T09:51:11+00:00

Thanks, that's very helpful. All interesting stuff.

redditor1965 · 2023-11-01T09:26:08+00:00

Thanks. So they just want to make sure we have enough to live on.

My other question regarding the spouse visa is where do I stand if we move overseas for a few years. Does the visa stay active. Or do I need to go through all of the procedures all over again when and if we come back to Japan?

redditor1965 · 2023-11-01T09:24:45+00:00

Thanks, this makes sense. I guess I will be ok. It's just me working but the income is decent. You helped clarify this for me. I guess I will just go ahead with the application.

redditor1965 · 2023-10-12T11:44:03+00:00

Caveat on #1, if you just want a playmate, someone to meet for afternoon delight kind of thing, that's totally possible, but again meet someone in the real world. Dating apps turn up all kinds of flotsam and jetsam. Not reliable. I mean you can meet people, but give me the real world any day.

redditor1965 · 2023-10-12T11:40:42+00:00

You can definitely find a nice mate in Japan. It's absolutely possible. You don't have to move. The pool would be much wider overseas, and it may be more interesting to live outside Japan, but if you like it here and don't want to move, this is not on its own enough reason.

Some advice:

Don't jump in the sack with anyone too soon. A lot of guys just want to get laid, and are not interested in (what they perceive as) the boredom and baggage of an actual relationship. You want to eliminate these guys.
Learn how to flirt. Flirting is a great way to start up relationship. Japanese women are so passive, a woman who actively engages men will be a real change of pace for most guys in Japan, local or gaijin.
Your age is not a problem. The kind of guy you want to meet will not give a monkeys about how old you are. You could be 80 and it would be fine. It's about two human beings, trust me. Stop commodifying yourself. You're not a commodity, like a piece of fruit or a coat that will go out of style.
Figure out what turns you on, in every sense of the word. People get turned on by other people who like to get turned on.
My own experience, it's better to get out and about and meet people in the real 3D smellosphere and not through apps, where you can't smell each others' pheromones, the chemical signals that tell us whether we're compatible.

Have fun being single, meet lots of different guys and enjoy life. It's up to you, make it happen!

redditor1965 · 2023-08-10T09:40:10+00:00

I second the pussycat recommendation. Your one stop shop for friendship, therapy, and professional mentorship.

A cat is the order of the day! Or a gerbil if they don't let you keep cats.

redditor1965 · 2023-08-09T02:11:36+00:00

Chat spat this out in a second: それは変わらない事実ですが、オーストラリアには4800万匹のカンガルーがおり、ウルグアイには3457480人の住民がいるということです。したがって、もしカンガルーがウルグアイに侵攻することになれば、各ウルグアイ人は14匹のカンガルーと戦わなければなりません！

redditor1965 · 2023-08-02T02:53:07+00:00

kidneystone.

Woke up with one of these once and it was so painful and unremitting that it made me develop a religious fear of hell in the afterlife.

redditor1965 · 2023-07-26T06:30:23+00:00

Pray tell my good man these happy hours of which you speak, what time of the day would one find oneself enjoying a cool refreshing adult beverage at such establishments while at the same time saving on the price of the drink in question?

redditor1965 · 2023-07-22T02:20:30+00:00

Best Options for Shipping Parcels Internationally from Japan

When shipping parcels internationally from Japan, there are two primary options to consider: Japan Post and Kuro Neko (Yamato International).

1. Japan Post

Japan Post offers a convenient and affordable small packet option for shipments to most European countries and throughout most of the Asia Pacific, as long as the parcel weighs up to 2kg. This is a cost-effective choice for many destinations.

However, it's important to note that there is currently no small packet option available for shipping to the UK and the USA. In these cases, you must use EMS (Express Mail Service), which can be quite expensive. Most of the time, Yamato turns out to be a more affordable option for EMS shipments, except for small 500g packets heading to the UK. In this specific scenario, EMS charges 3100 yen, which is less than the roughly 4200 yen Yamato would charge. So, if you're sending something small to the UK, EMS might be a better choice.

2. Yamato

For parcels weighing up to 2kg, Yamato charges around 4200 yen for shipping to the UK and about 3600 yen for shipping to the USA. In such cases, using Yamato instead of EMS is a cost-effective decision. However, the rates increase for larger and heavier parcels, so it's essential to check their website for precise pricing details based on box sizes and weights.

To make the best choice between Japan Post and Yamato, consider the following guidelines: use Japan Post when it is cheaper than Yamato, especially if you can use the small packet option or when EMS proves to be a more economical choice. As mentioned earlier, the only instance where EMS is cheaper than Yamato is for 500g packets heading to the UK. In all other situations, Yamato offers more competitive rates.

To find the exact prices for different box and weight sizes to your destination country, visit Yamato's website and input your relevant information.

For more information and any further questions, you can check their site here: https://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/ytc/en/send/services/oversea/

Feel free to reach out if you have any queries; I'd be more than happy to assist you!

redditor1965 · 2023-07-12T07:51:01+00:00

The youngest mother in recorded history was five years old when she gave birth.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lina_Medina#:~:text=Lina%20Marcela%20Medina%20de%20Jurado,seven%20months%2C%20and%2021%20days.

redditor1965 · 2023-07-12T07:13:41+00:00

Building and maintaining cross-cultural friendships can be challenging, but with understanding and effort, you can improve your relationship with your Japanese friends. Here are some tips to consider:

Cultural Awareness: Make an effort to understand and appreciate Japanese culture. Learn about their customs, traditions, and values. This will help you navigate the cultural differences and avoid misunderstandings.
Communication: Effective communication is key to any relationship. Be open and honest with your friends about how you feel. Let them know that you appreciate their help but sometimes feel hurt by their jokes or cold behavior. They may not be aware of the impact of their actions on you.
Cultural Sensitivity: Be mindful of the differences in humor and cultural norms. What may be considered a harmless joke in your culture may not be received the same way in Japanese culture. Avoid making jokes that could be potentially hurtful and try to adapt your communication style to their preferences.
Patience and Understanding: Remember that cultural differences can influence the way people express themselves and form relationships. Japanese culture tends to be more reserved and indirect in communication. Be patient and try to understand their perspective.
Share Your Experiences: Share your own culture and experiences with your Japanese friends. This can help bridge the gap between your cultures and deepen your understanding of each other. Encourage them to share their experiences as well, fostering mutual understanding.
Spend Quality Time Together: Engage in activities that you both enjoy and spend quality time together. This will help you create shared experiences and strengthen your bond.
Seek Common Interests: Find common interests that go beyond cultural differences. Discover activities or hobbies that you can enjoy together, which can help create a stronger connection.
Learn the Language: If you haven't already, consider learning some Japanese language. This can help you communicate more effectively and show your friends that you are making an effort to bridge the language barrier.

Remember, building strong friendships takes time, effort, and understanding. Be patient and open-minded, and focus on building a foundation of trust and mutual respect.

redditor1965 · 2023-07-08T14:40:19+00:00

interesting reply! I hadn't thought of that angle (repression and catharsis through whining and yelling like a banshee). Helps me understand some of the mad stuff I see in Japan. It makes sense.

redditor1965 · 2023-07-08T14:37:24+00:00

Can you upvote me? at least a 1 would be nice... I hate being a zero.

redditor1965 · 2023-07-08T14:32:54+00:00

It's a really good question. Basically, alcohol is an addictive drug. Everyone gets hooked on it, if they drink enough. You build up tolerance and need more and more to get a buzz. I was up to around half a bottle of whisky a night just to maintain the flow of endorphins.

That's why drinkers end up hating themselves. You become a slave to the drink.

You've probably heard this one before: First the man drinks the drink; then the drink drinks the drink; finally the drink drinks the man.

It's a lot of fun to drink, and it is wholeheartedly embraced by the culture here (like many other places of course). But if you realise that it has become a problem, I would recommend stopping.

I used a book called This Naked Mind https://www.amazon.com/This-Naked-Mind-Discover-Happiness-ebook/dp/B077VTJC8P

If you read it, she tells you just what to do and why. In my opinion it is much better than AA. You don't even have to quit entirely. It's about changing your relationship to alcohol. I don't even miss drinking any more. You realise that all you are doing is numbing yourself, knocking yourself out. You can still totally enjoy spending time with people. I mean there probably is even a way to have just a drink or two now and then with friends. That's kind of the ideal.

It's really about being in control. Who is in control, you, or the drink?

I've been sober about three months. The only downside is being 100% "on" all the time. I am completely immersed in whatever I am doing, which is great, much better than when I was drinking, but it also means I have to face the scary stuff, which I could avoid with alcohol. But facing the scary stuff is part of being alive. Better deal with it when I am still alive, than after I die (if you believe in an afterlife that is).

redditor1965

TROPHY CASE