Yamanote Halloween 2009

[usa4kabukicho]

Its time we got this started. Its a Saturday this time around so almost nothing to discuss, but nonetheless:

Date/Time: Sat. October 31, 2009 from 21-ish
Meetup Place: Shinjuku Station, Yamanote platform #15 (towards Ikebukuro)
Train to board: 21:06 soto-mawari (North-bound)

Gather towards the back of the train, by the stairs that come down from the South exit. Train car 9 sounds like a good one to board.

See you all there. And, of course, BYOB.

[ben ali]

why don't you pr1cks grow up?

Originally Posted by ben ali

why don't you pr1cks grow up?

Why don't you grow a pr!ck?

OP: Really, all information about the Yamanote Halloween Party should be written in pig-Latin - just to ____ with the 2channers.

aceplay: injukushay ationstay
imetay: omfray alfhay astpay inenay

you get the idea...

Originally Posted by akahebi

Why don't you grow a pr!ck?

I was gonna Yell at the kids from my porch also but seeing the kids thoroughly making an A$$ of themselves is kinda fun.

[talibanana]

this sounds fun!

[apeman]

Originally Posted by usa4kabukicho

Its time we got this started. Its a Saturday this time around so almost nothing to discuss, but nonetheless:

Date/Time: Sat. October 31, 2009 from 21-ish
Meetup Place: Shinjuku Station, Yamanote platform #15 (towards Ikebukuro)
Train to board: 21:06 soto-mawari (North-bound)

Gather towards the back of the train, by the stairs that come down from the South exit. Train car 9 sounds like a good one to board.

See you all there. And, of course, BYOB.

And you can rest assured that the j-police already know about it and will also see you there.

[Yatomato]

Why do people insist on doing this when the J-police have explicity forbidden it? It just creates the impression that foreigners in Japan have no respect for the laws here and continues to propogate negative stereotypes about disrespectful gaijin.

Originally Posted by Yatomato

Why do people insist on doing this when the J-police have explicity forbidden it? It just creates the impression that foreigners in Japan have no respect for the laws here and continues to propogate negative stereotypes about disrespectful gaijin.

Wait a sec... the J-police have *forbidden* it?? You mean, like they are banning foreigners from wearing costumes and riding the train? Police enforce laws - they don't make them. You sure about this?

[NickW]

I think it's grossly excessive displays of public drunkenness, the vomiting and so on that the police are more concerned about, perhaps?

[Marius_II]

Originally Posted by akahebi

Wait a sec... the J-police have *forbidden* it?? You mean, like they are banning foreigners from wearing costumes and riding the train? Police enforce laws - they don't make them. You sure about this?

I must agree. I read that last year the undercover cops followed the foreign crowd around, even after they got off, because of the death-threats (on 2-channel) towards people participating in the festivities.
There were some photos of those cops.

Whether they were there to actually gauge the angry nerds of 2-channel, or there to be on the lookout for any possible drugs the pesky foreigners might be carrying, doesn't really matter. They didn't arrest/stop the celebration/drunkenness.

That's not to say JR staff might.

[Yatomato]

Originally Posted by akahebi

Wait a sec... the J-police have *forbidden* it?? You mean, like they are banning foreigners from wearing costumes and riding the train? Police enforce laws - they don't make them. You sure about this?

I think the problem is not wearing costumes but, as Nick said, the drinking, puking, shouting and general level of mayhem and disruption caused. Of course the trains are owned by the train company and it is within their rights to ask the police to prevent their property being used as a venue for a boozarama. You would think people might just respect their wishes and have a party somewhere else but its just another case of some gaijin just doing what they want and playing the victim when they are asked not to.

Never mind the fact that the authorities in almost any other country would clamp down on turning the public transport intoa party venue for the evening.

[apeman]

Originally Posted by Yatomato

I think the problem is not wearing costumes but, as Nick said, the drinking, puking, shouting and general level of mayhem and disruption caused. Of course the trains are owned by the train company and it is within their rights to ask the police to prevent their property being used as a venue for a boozarama.

And JR is probably not amused by the associated costs of disrupted train schedules and cleaning up the mess. But hey, we're gaijin and this is how we have fun, so who cares?

It sure would be fun to see what would happen to these party-goers if they tried this kind of thing in Moscow or Beijing.

[wasDOUGLAS]

Originally Posted by apeman

And JR is probably not amused by the associated costs of disrupted train schedules and cleaning up the mess. But hey, we're gaijin and this is how we have fun, so who cares?

It sure would be fun to see what would happen to these party-goers if they tried this kind of thing in Moscow or Beijing.

Or Canada--where half the people are from no doubt? An evening of drunken revelry followed by truncheons, pepper spray and a very very bad hangover.

Originally Posted by apeman

And JR is probably not amused by the associated costs of disrupted train schedules and cleaning up the mess. But hey, we're gaijin and this is how we have fun, so who cares?

It sure would be fun to see what would happen to these party-goers if they tried this kind of thing in Moscow or Beijing.

I think you're missing the point. It's because it is Japan that this happens. It's the land of cos-play, the land of ignore-the-other-people-on-the-train-no-matter-what-so-let's-take-advantage-of-that-and-poke-fun-at-them-at-the-same-time. It's because Japanese tend to freak out and many foreigners get a kick out of that.

As long as people do not interfere with the operation of the train, or harass other passengers, the only thing I can think of that the police could complain about is public drunkeness - if that's a crime in Japan. I imagine that any of the following activities, while annoying to some, would not (er, should not) be subject one to any kind of problems with the authorities:
1) wearing a costume on the train (have you seen some of the Japanese??)
2) boarding and exiting trains in large numbers (nothing new there)
3) singing (Dunno if it happens on the Yamanote Halloween train, but where there's alcohol...) (it's like karaoke. on wheels)
4) talking loudly (ever heard someone on a cell phone?)
5) sharing booze (who would complain?)
6) talking to strangers (it's the gaijin way! We're here to make friends!)
7) dancing (as long as the costumes stay on...)
8) photos and videos (as long as the cameras are not below the knees and pointed upwards, I see no problems)

I'm sure there is more.

[Yatomato]

Originally Posted by akahebi

I think you're missing the point. It's because it is Japan that this happens. It's the land of cos-play, the land of ignore-the-other-people-on-the-train-no-matter-what-so-let's-take-advantage-of-that-and-poke-fun-at-them-at-the-same-time.

Well they are not "ignoring people no matter what". They are requesting that you don't do it.

Originally Posted by akahebi

It's because Japanese tend to freak out and many foreigners get a kick out of that.

Japanese tend to freak out? But I thought they just ignored people no matter what. Your justification is not very convincing.

Originally Posted by akahebi

As long as people do not interfere with the operation of the train, or harass other passengers, the only thing I can think of that the police could complain about is public drunkeness - if that's a crime in Japan.

I don't think it is really for you to decide what the authorities and train companies "could complain about". Clearly, they don't want this activity to take place and I think that you should respect their wishes. This isn't a two-way discussion where you get to have an equal say on how JR choose to run their train services.

Just out of curiosity, I don't know where you are from but how would things go down if hundreds of foreigners in your hometown decided they were going to go ahead with a public gathering aiming to "poke fun at" and "freak out" the locals after the authorities had repeatedly, expressly warned against such a gathering taking place?

I think I know how that would go down where I am from.

Originally Posted by Yatomato

Well they are not "ignoring people no matter what". They are requesting that you don't do it.

Japanese tend to freak out? But I thought they just ignored people no matter what. Your justification is not very convincing.

Either you are Japanese, or have not been here long enough to understand how Japanese can freak out while ignoring (or pretending to ignore) things going on around them.

Originally Posted by Yatomato

Just out of curiosity, I don't know where you are from but how would things go down if hundreds of foreigners in your hometown decided they were going to go ahead with a public gathering aiming to "poke fun at" and "freak out" the locals after the authorities had repeatedly, expressly warned against such a gathering taking place?

Take a chill pill.

Originally Posted by Yatomato

I think I know how that would go down where I am from.

But you're not sure?

Many Japanese ignore what's happening around them. Chikan, sleeping, whatever. So why not have a party? They won't say anything about it. Maybe saying "poke fun" was too much.

And yes, Japanese do freak out. 2channers. Need I say more? Some foreigners get a kick out of stuff like that. I didn't say it was right or good. I'm just saying that because this is Japan, it happens. Like Apeman suggested, it would be interesting to see what would happen if this went down in Moscow or Beijing. iow, the cops would likely clamp down on them.

[Yatomato]

Originally Posted by akahebi

Either you are Japanese, or have not been here long enough to understand how Japanese can freak out while ignoring (or pretending to ignore) things going on around them.

Please spare me the "I have been in Japan longer than you so I know best" line. You don't know anything about my experience of Japan. How do you know if people are freaking out anyway if they are pretending to ignore what is going on? Can you read their minds or something?

I suppose many of us have been in situations where we have been made to feel uncomfortable about other people's behavior when they were in large, loud drunken groups, if that is what you mean. I don't see what is so brave about making people feel uncomfortable on their ride home.

This is all weak, lame justification for pretty shitty behavior which people can get away with not because the Japanese authorities are so anti-foreigner but precisely because they often have a tendency to give foreigners some leeway in these sorts of situations.

Originally Posted by akahebi

Many Japanese ignore what's happening around them. Chikan, sleeping, whatever. So why not have a party? They won't say anything about it.

I really don't know where you are going with this "Japanese ignore what's happening around them" thing. Clearly, they are not ignoring this. They don't like this event taking place and have expressly asked people not to stage it every year for many years but still it goes on.

Originally Posted by akahebi

And yes, Japanese do freak out. 2channers. Need I say more?

Give me a break. So some foreigners have the arrogance to go ahead with a loud, drunken, disruptive party in a public place which they have been expressly told by the authorities not to stage. A few cheesed off Japanese people on 2chan express their disgust as they have every right to do but yep, sure enough it's the poor gaijin who are the innocent victims yet again.

Originally Posted by akahebi

Some foreigners get a kick out of stuff like that. I didn't say it was right or good. I'm just saying that because this is Japan, it happens. Like Apeman suggested, it would be interesting to see what would happen if this went down in Moscow or Beijing. iow, the cops would likely clamp down on them.

I think apeman was saying that in a lot of places the police if you gather a large number of people in public when you have explicity been told not to, you can end up in a cell with a busted head and bloody nose.

I am not a party pooper. There is a time and a place for everything. As you say, a lot of people dress up in Japan. Its not as if people have any objection to that. I just don't see why JR should deal with all hassle, damage to property, delays, injuries, cleaning up puke etc.

Originally Posted by Yatomato

Can you read their minds or something?

Yes, actually.

Originally Posted by Yatomato

I don't see what is so brave about making people feel uncomfortable on their ride home.

Neither do I. You seem to read a lot into my posts that was never written.

Originally Posted by Yatomato

I really don't know where you are going with this "Japanese ignore what's happening around them" thing. Clearly, they are not ignoring this. They don't like this event taking place and have expressly asked people not to stage it every year for many years but still it goes on.

Define "they".

Originally Posted by Yatomato

Give me a break. So some foreigners have the arrogance to go ahead with a loud, drunken, disruptive party in a public place which they have been expressly told by the authorities not to stage. A few cheesed off Japanese people on 2chan express their disgust as they have every right to do but yep, sure enough it's the poor gaijin who are the innocent victims yet again.

I don't know for certain, but I imagine that every year, most of the party-goers are first timers. They would not have been told "expressly" or otherwise not to stage such an event. And if the freaks from 2chan went through with their threats then the poor gaijin would definitely be victims.

Originally Posted by Yatomato

I think apeman was saying that in a lot of places the police if you gather a large number of people in public when you have explicity been told not to, you can end up in a cell with a busted head and bloody nose.

You read a lot into other people's posts... He seemed to indicate that he would enjoy finding out what happened were people to do the same thing in other, non-Japanese cities.

Originally Posted by Yatomato

I am not a party pooper.

That's debatable.

[Yatomato]

Originally Posted by akahebi

Neither do I. You seem to read a lot into my posts that was never written.

In a previous post you were applauding the idea of foreigners getting a kick of seeing Japanese people "freak out". Or in your case reading their minds and knowing they are freaking out even though there are no visible signs. So yes, you seem to think there is something clever in making people uncomfortable. I can sort of understand that mentality from an 11 year old going trick or treating but it is strange coming from an adult.

Originally Posted by akahebi

Define "they".

The train companies, the police and a good number of the passengers.

Originally Posted by akahebi

I don't know for certain, but I imagine that every year, most of the party-goers are first timers. They would not have been told "expressly" or otherwise not to stage such an event.

Sorry but I think that is BS. They know full well that the authorities take a dim view of the event but they still go ahead with it. The police, JR, the US embassy and all the language schools make pleas for the party not to take place.

Originally Posted by akahebi

And if the freaks from 2chan went through with their threats then the poor gaijin would definitely be victims.

I wouldn't say they are "freaks". They are probably just normal people who are annoyed at such flagrant disrespect from people who are, after all, guests in this country. I don't know if they can really claim to be victims when they are being deliberately provocative in their behavior.

Originally Posted by akahebi

You read a lot into other people's posts... He seemed to indicate that he would enjoy finding out what happened were people to do the same thing in other, non-Japanese cities.

He was being sarcastic.

Originally Posted by akahebi

That's debatable.

Well the way I see it people shouldn't be so cheap. Instead of splopping conbini cans all over a moving subway train, why not just book a venue that does a good nomihodai deal? Oh, because it would cost them a few hundred yen more and they wouldn't be able to enjoy the pleasure of "freaking people out" by blocking the platform, puking, tampering with the light fixtures, delaying the trains and generally making asses of themselves in a public place. This party is the gaijin community at its most obnoxious and arrogant. The ironic thing is that I am sure a lot of people who take part in it would be suitably outraged if foreigners did the same sort of thing in their countries.

Originally Posted by Yatomato

In a previous post you were applauding the idea of foreigners getting a kick of seeing Japanese people "freak out". Or in your case reading their minds and knowing they are freaking out even though there are no visible signs. So yes, you seem to think there is something clever in making people uncomfortable. I can sort of understand that mentality from an 11 year old going trick or treating but it is strange coming from an adult.

But I am an 11 year old girl!!! I never applauded the idea of foreigners getting a kick of seeing Japanese people "freak out" - I merely pointed out the obvious (obvious to everyone but you??) Some foreigners. Not all. Some.

Originally Posted by Yatomato

The train companies, the police and a good number of the passengers.

So you've taken a poll.

Originally Posted by Yatomato

Sorry but I think that is BS. They know full well that the authorities take a dim view of the event but they still go ahead with it. The police, JR, the US embassy and all the language schools make pleas for the party not to take place.

Well, I know that is BS. All of the schools make these pleas? Hmmmm??? HMMMMM??? HMMMMMM???

Originally Posted by Yatomato

I wouldn't say they are "freaks". They are probably just normal people who are annoyed at such flagrant disrespect from people who are, after all, guests in this country. I don't know if they can really claim to be victims when they are being deliberately provocative in their behavior.

You don't think that someone who hides behind a computer, then makes plans to disrupt a party in a potentially dangerous manner, instead of leaving the matter to the proper authorities is not a freak?

Originally Posted by Yatomato

He was being sarcastic.

Now who's reading minds??

Originally Posted by Yatomato

Well the way I see it people shouldn't be so cheap. Instead of splopping conbini cans all over a moving subway train, why not just book a venue that does a good nomihodai deal? Oh, because it would cost them a few hundred yen more and they wouldn't be able to enjoy the pleasure of "freaking people out" by blocking the platform, puking, tampering with the light fixtures, delaying the trains and generally making asses of themselves in a public place. This party is the gaijin community at its most obnoxious and arrogant. The ironic thing is that I am sure a lot of people who take part in it would be suitably outraged if foreigners did the same sort of thing in their countries.

You seem to be extremely knowledgeable about what goes on at this party. This year will be what, your 3rd time? 4th?

Anyway, have a great Halloween - and I suggest that you stay off the Yamanote Line. The police are sure to nab you with all of your trollish features.

[apeman]

Originally Posted by Yatomato

He was being sarcastic.

Yes, I was. Or I at least I was trying to be. Sorry, I don't use those little smiley icon things when I post.

It seems clear that most people who have decided to defy the wishes of JR and the police not to use the public transportation system for their own party won't be much swayed by arguments from other foreigners not to.

I suspect this event will probably go on as in years past until something serves as a catalyst for the J-police to do what they should have done a long time ago to stop it.

That could be something like a drunken participant accidentally injuring himself or another passenger, damage to the trains beyond the damage they usually do, fights with less than amused passengers who didn't expect their ride home to be disrupted by a horde of people on a booze binge, etc.

[Yatomato]

Originally Posted by akahebi

But I am an 11 year old girl!!! I never applauded the idea of foreigners getting a kick of seeing Japanese people "freak out" - I merely pointed out the obvious (obvious to everyone but you??) Some foreigners. Not all. Some..

Obvious to everyone but me? So you've taken a poll?
Some foreigners get a kick out of seeing Japanese people "freak out". So you've taken a poll?

You seem to have back-tracked from your initial apologia and defence of an obnoxious, arrogant and anti-social gathering. That is good.

Originally Posted by akahebi

So you've taken a poll.

I don't need to take a poll. You yourself have claimed that the passengers are "freaked out" and "made fun of." Do you need a poll to confirm to you that people don't like being "freaked out" and "made fun of"?

Originally Posted by akahebi

Well, I know that is BS. All of the schools make these pleas? Hmmmm??? HMMMMM??? HMMMMMM???

Well there may be some little mom 'n' pop schools around that don't make these pleas. I am pretty sure the main schools do though. Anywhere, it is neither here nor there. People know that the authorities are against this taking place. You yourself suggested writing about it in some ridiculous "pig Latin" code so don't try to be coy. It is a very well known fact to all foreigners in Japan who are not buried under a rock that the authorities are firmly against this event taking place.

Originally Posted by akahebi

You don't think that someone who hides behind a computer, then makes plans to disrupt a party in a potentially dangerous manner, instead of leaving the matter to the proper authorities is not a freak?

No, not really. Certainly no more of a freak than someone who hides behind a computer trying to organise a potentially dangerous event against the express wishes of all the authorities by using "pig Latin".

Originally Posted by akahebi

Now who's reading minds??

You don't need to read someone's mind to know when they are being sarcastic.

Originally Posted by akahebi

You seem to be extremely knowledgeable about what goes on at this party. This year will be what, your 3rd time? 4th?

No, I have never been on it. I try to respect the rules of the country I am in. Is it really beyond your comprehension that someone might hear about what happens at an event without going to it? You have never heard of people telling other people things about things they have seen.

Originally Posted by akahebi

Anyway, have a great Halloween - and I suggest that you stay off the Yamanote Line. The police are sure to nab you with all of your trollish features.

My trollish features. Hilarious.

It really doesn't make much difference to my life if a few hundred arrogant fratboy pricks dress up as Zorro, scream, puke and spill chu-hi all over a train on a Saturday night. I have seen obnoxious drunken behavior before so seeing it again wouldn't kill me. I just think the people who run the trains should be allowed decide what happens. And after all, like you, I don't have do the cleaning up afterwards.

I just think people should respect the reasonable wishes of their hosts when they are in a foreign country. You obviously think differently. Or at least you do when it is not your country we are talking about.

[Marius_II]

Originally Posted by apeman

I suspect this event will probably go on as in years past until something serves as a catalyst for the J-police to do what they should have done a long time ago to stop it.

That could be something like a drunken participant accidentally injuring himself or another passenger, damage to the trains beyond the damage they usually do, fights with less than amused passengers who didn't expect their ride home to be disrupted by a horde of people on a booze binge, etc.

But, the same can be said for the hordes of salarymen returning Friday night.
I've actually have had to brake up fights between salarymen and hiphop-clad kids.

Never been on the halloween train. Can't say I enjoy seeing a bunch of butter-blooded foreigners spook the locals. But I disagree on principle: just because they're dressed up shouldn't give them less rights.

[ben ali]

Originally Posted by akahebi

I think you're missing the point. It's because it is Japan that this happens. It's the land of cos-play, the land of ignore-the-other-people-on-the-train-no-matter-what-so-let's-take-advantage-of-that-and-poke-fun-at-them-at-the-same-time. It's because Japanese tend to freak out and many foreigners get a kick out of that.

As long as people do not interfere with the operation of the train, or harass other passengers, the only thing I can think of that the police could complain about is public drunkeness - if that's a crime in Japan. I imagine that any of the following activities, while annoying to some, would not (er, should not) be subject one to any kind of problems with the authorities:
1) wearing a costume on the train (have you seen some of the Japanese??)
2) boarding and exiting trains in large numbers (nothing new there)
3) singing (Dunno if it happens on the Yamanote Halloween train, but where there's alcohol...) (it's like karaoke. on wheels)
4) talking loudly (ever heard someone on a cell phone?)
5) sharing booze (who would complain?)
6) talking to strangers (it's the gaijin way! We're here to make friends!)
7) dancing (as long as the costumes stay on...)
8) photos and videos (as long as the cameras are not below the knees and pointed upwards, I see no problems)

I'm sure there is more.

I hope when you grow up a bit you will realise that this behaviour is, at best, foolish. What really worries me is that it is racist. You seem to have an us and them attitude towards the Japanese. And before you chip in with "They started it...they hate us gaijin" ask yourself whether they all hate all foreigners, or whether some of them hate all foreigners whilst most of them just dislike the drunk kids messing up their ride home.

[Yatomato]

Originally Posted by apeman

I suspect this event will probably go on as in years past until something serves as a catalyst for the J-police to do what they should have done a long time ago to stop it.

That could be something like a drunken participant accidentally injuring himself or another passenger, damage to the trains beyond the damage they usually do, fights with less than amused passengers who didn't expect their ride home to be disrupted by a horde of people on a booze binge, etc.

Yeah, I agree. One day something serious is bound to happen. What will probably happen next is that they will do what a lot of other countries have and ban drinking on public transport. Thus these loud fratboy d1cks will have ruined the occasional quiet tall boy on the way home for all us.

[Yatomato]

Originally Posted by Marius_II

But, the same can be said for the hordes of salarymen returning Friday night.

Well I don't think salarymen are quite as loud and obnoxious but it isn't really the point. The salarymen are on their way home. I know the Japanese authorities can be strict at times but I don't think it is so unreasonable to ask people not to use the public transport system specifically for the purpose of having a wild drunken party.

[Marius_II]

Originally Posted by Yatomato

Well I don't think salarymen are quite as loud and obnoxious but it isn't really the point. The salarymen are on their way home. I know the Japanese authorities can be strict at times but I don't think it is so unreasonable to ask people not to use the public transport system specifically for the purpose of having a wild drunken party.

So...the destination or duration matters?

I get your point. But then there's that having the cake/eating it deal...

[apeman]

Originally Posted by Marius_II

Never been on the halloween train. Can't say I enjoy seeing a bunch of butter-blooded foreigners spook the locals. But I disagree on principle: just because they're dressed up shouldn't give them less rights.

I agree with you: there is nothing wrong with dressing up. This event, however, goes well beyond dressing up and includes damage to property and disruption of train services. That is why JR and the police request people not to do it.

[Marius_II]

But no one goes there with the intent of braking stuff.
Haven't read anything braking more than minor things as 'ads or maybe a lightbulb.

And, again, these are things salarymen are just as capable of. And quite productive at it too.

Someone, bring up pee- and hurl statistics...

[move]

Sounds like fun, I wish I were in Tokyo that night. And everybody else, relax. It's just one night a year.

Originally Posted by apeman

I agree with you: there is nothing wrong with dressing up. This event, however, goes well beyond dressing up and includes damage to property and disruption of train services. That is why JR and the police request people not to do it.

apeman makes a good point and one that I can understand and agree with.

The thing is, Yatomato, I'd love to go on a ride around the Yamanote line dressed up in costume with bunch of friends - or strangers dressed up with me. There would be no harm if people were considerate and knew proper boundaries. Problem is, many don't respect others and their property. That upsets people (freaks 'em out) and the police are called, vigilantes appear and everything goes to sh!t.

I still think it should happen. I think it's hilarious that you could dress up in costume and some people would totally ignore your presence. Making fun of that refusal to acknowledge such an oddity (is it an oddity in Tokyo??) is fun, imo, and does not constitute racism at all.

The party should go on and anyone asked to leave simply because they are wearing a costume should not tuck his tail in and leave. If they're causing real problems then they should expect to be asked to leave, or worse, arrested.

PS. I don't take polls. I just know. You forgot - I read minds.

[Marius_II]

Red, how about a smaller one ahead of the biggie?
It's basically what everone dressed for halloween does anyway, on their way to..pongi.

Or just dressing up.

Marius, that sounds fine, I suppose. I won't be going in any case as I live too far away.

Still, there is something fun about the idea of a train filled with costumes...

[Marius_II]

If you pinch, squint with your eyes, you can pretend you're commuting with a whole lot of penguins.

Originally Posted by Marius_II

If you pinch, squint with your eyes, you can pretend you're commuting with a whole lot of penguins.

Don't have to. Everyone only comes up to my navel.

[ben ali]

Originally Posted by Marius_II

But no one goes there with the intent of braking stuff.
Haven't read anything braking more than minor things as 'ads or maybe a lightbulb.

And, again, these are things salarymen are just as capable of. And quite productive at it too.

Someone, bring up pee- and hurl statistics...

This is a ridiculous argument... you sound like a whiny five year-old. "But heeeeee did it mummy!"

I'll say what you your mother would have said. "Well, if he jumped off a cliff would you jump after him?"

It doesn't matter who it is, drunk idiots on the train are bad.

[Marius_II]

Come on now, I need to address some on that level.

Perhaps I need to talk to you in a different tone.
You're argument against selectivity: drunks are scary wheevy woo?
Is Ben sad? It's Friday, Poopoopie, cheer up.

[Marius_II]

Good with some insight. Had no idea people were trying to be a-holes, or to get back at the Japanese. Hope it's different. Sure seemed that way from the footage, where about a third of the participants were Japanese...

Emulating sh*t: no. Just talking on principles.

[ben ali]

Originally Posted by PurpleDaisies

I went on the Yamanote line party way back when and while it was a lot of fun, it did get out of control and stopped being a fun event and started being a "pick on unsuspecting Japanese" event. I remember seeing a poor lady trying to get off at her stop unable to get past the large drunken guys who weren`t letting her through. Seeing her face, it really stopped being a "Happy Halloween" for me.
I got off at the next stop, thankfully missing the Japanese police who were waiting at Ikebukuro station for most party goers to get off.
The Halloween train seemed to die out not long after that - only to be revived some years later by people who had probably never been on any of the original trains.

I have ridden the train in costume many times (including face painting) and will be doing so this year too - on my way to other Halloween events. No problems, and a really fun atmosphere.
The Halloween train itself - no way, not any more. What spoiled it for me was the overtly stated attitude of a lot of people that it was a chance to "get back" at Japanese people.
Maybe the "new Halloween train" is different and only fun and lighthearted and not in any way threatening to those just riding the train. If so I wish you luck and hope you have a lot of fun.

As for the argument that drunk salarymen do it and worse.......do you really want to emulate that sh!t?

That's it, right there. You said it perfectly.