Back when I was teaching in Nagoya, late last year, I asked my students my usual Monday morning question, 'what did you do on the weekend?'
One student's reply: 'I lined up 6 hours to buy Arashi goods.'
Arashi is a popular boy band. I am a fairly open-minded person. Although I personally probably wouldn't spend half a day lining up to see a famous person or get concert tickets, I can understand that some people might want to.
However, please note what she actually said: she lined up to BUY ARASHI-RELATED MERCHANDISE. The band did not appear in person at all. Apparently this merchandise was specialised for their Nagoya appearance, which somehow made it so desirable that thousands of young girls would line up for 6 hours or more. She said the sale was at Nagoya Dome, and people were lining up from OZONE station. o_O
I have mentioned before that many Japanese people seem to have more patience for lining up, particularly for a product that is considered to have a reputation or is for a limited time. This is a nice little illustration of the principle at work.
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Hi Yoko!
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog since late December and I always spend a good time reading your posts, but I think it was time to leave a comment ^_^
I'm a Japan lover and I find quite interesting to see how a foreigner can manage there, because one of my great wishes is to travel to Japan someday, so I can see how many different situations you can find on your daily basis. Most times I cannot avoid a smile reading your posts.
Well, regarding to your post. I remember when I was a kid, I used to read some videogames magazines and it always amazed me how a lot of people could spend the night at Akihabara streets, waiting for the first day of sales for a new console. Through the years, that fact no longer surprises me and like you say, I understand that some people don't mind to do that, but as much as I like videogames, I think I could never do that ^_^;
Well, hoping you don't get bored for my long comment ^_^; I want to ask you if you don't mind if I add your blog to my blog list (I mean, at my blog). Of course, if you want to visit it, you're welcome ^_^
Bye!
PS: sorry for my English if you find some errors, Spanish is my native language.
Hi Shinji,
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing. ^_^ I'm happy to know someone has been reading this blog.
You're welcome to link to my blog. I should warn you though that there will not be many more posts while I am back in Australia (my most recent posts were written a few weeks ago).
I hope you get to go to Japan and enjoy it there. It's a great place! ^_^
Hi Yoko,
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome ^_^
I've already linked your blog and don't worry, even if you don't post regularly, if only be a post from time to time, I think it will be worth.
BTW, I love the ram you have in your avatar, it reminds me to a plushie that I had when I was a kid, haha.
Take care! ^_^
Heheheh. I like it too. Bought it in Japan, they called it a 'cubic sheep'. ^_^
ReplyDeleteSadly it was a bit large to bring back in my suitcase, so I left it in the kids' room of the school I was teaching at. ^_^