Differences I

Stroll through a park in Japan. What do you notice? It is true that it is generally cleaner and that it is probably a bit less noisy, but based upon stereotypes almost anyone would have made these guesses. The bag of salty squid crackers that you were eating has made you thirsty and with the empty wrapper in your hand you go to look for a drinking fountain and a trash can, all the while noting other small differences between this park and one in your home country. After about twenty minutes of walking you will realize that this entire five acre park does not contain a single trash can or drinking fountain. You see a public restroom and speculate that you will at least be able to find a trash can inside this. Frustration begins to awaken in you as you realize that not only is there no trash can in the restroom, there is also no apparatus for drying one’s hands. Now with damp hands you continue on your search. Depending on your determination, it could be hours later that you finally give up, put the wrapper into your pocket and walk home. It is then that you suddenly realize that I set you up with that bag of crackers.