Apart from the kirei/kirai mistake I made when my J sister-in-law asked me about her new dress, the most embarrassing mistake was in a restaurant in Nara.

I was having lunch with a friend and...

As a newbie in Japan, working? for Nova, many years ago, I asked a new student in the "Voice Room" her name. She replied Mieko. I heard Meko and called her that for the next 40 minutes, while her...

No sh!t?.....

Only if they still have heads. This is unproven as they obviously have no brains.

I was new once, I think.

I'm seriously considering the Inaka/subsistence farming thing in Japan ATM, having done it in Australia.

Some things to consider.
Isolation, both geographical and cultural.
Nasty things that...

Is "when in Japan, do as the Romans do" OK?

I have caught ayu, using ikura for bait, but it is hard work.
Catch the first one like that, then use it for bait, fishing in the traditional manner. Much easier.

If you don't buy your ayu bait...

You could Google channel nine australia. They are broadcasting live from 7.30 AEST and may have a live feed on their website. Maroons to win! Again!

I don't have as much interest in returning to Japan as I used to, at the moment. We may visit later this year.
My partner has a passion for helping kids in undeveloped countries, so we are in the...

I have to respectfully disagree here.
I'm almost 66 and, after living in an almost sexless marriage for many years with a J wife, I now have a great partnership with an amazing, well educated, 54...

Ho hum. Here we go again.
Those who look down on Eikawa instructors (note I didn't say teachers) vs the market theorists, re Eikawa salaries.
IMHO, you are both correct.
However, generally, you...

The women are the pitchers (receptacles) and, if you are unlucky, you are the catcher.

It's simple really. When they can identify you as a "real" person, you will then be a marketable commodity. Give them the information they want and then stick a price tag on your forehead.

I'll think about it.

Hair is good. A chance to floss while on the job.

I'n not very clever, so maybe I'm missing something here. If I'm to accept that humans are responsible for global warming, who or what were responsible for the global warmings that followed the...

I lived In Ikoma for 7 years and still own a house there. It's a great place to live, but not many foreigners, which I thought was good.

If you crave foreign company, Osaka, Kyoto and Nara city...

On a personal note, I survived 7 years at Nova. Never lost it or fixated on death. Very early on, in my Nova life, I decided it was all about me and had fun with it.

I also survived 20 years with...

It's all in the timing.

I completed an apprenticeship as an electrician, at my parents insistence. I hated the trade and, at the completion of my apprenticeship, I walked away from it and put...

Sisters, different fathers?

Being an old, overweight, not bald Aussie, I've had very little difficulty in meeting and mating with a wide selection of women from various nationalities between my divorce, last year, and meeting...

When I was married to ex J wife, I always preferred sex with her.
However, whenever she retreated into her extended "no thank you" mode, I found the warmth of my hot, mature, married students to be...

Do I dislike Japan? Not at all! Do I dislike Japanese people? Generally no, but I do dislike some individuals. The same as I dislike some people in Australia and very few of the Gpotters in this...

I'm kind of counting on that and mentioned it to her father. He agreed and will be working toward that outcome.
I think the fact that I have a new live-in partner might help sway her to stay in...