Hi David,
I'm writing this on my cell phone in my bed. I'm too sleepy to keep my eyes open, so I'll make a comment tomorrow.
Good night.

•  Tomo
• 2010年11月 8日 22:29

Hi David,

Did you pull out one of the stitches? Ouch! Even it happened by mistake, it sounds painful(lol)
Anyway, it's good to know that your nose is healing nicely and hasn't bled. I'm sorry to hear about your brother, and probably your choice(I'm not sure you chose from some options or not, though) is a good one.
Please take care for a while.
I'm a bit surprised that you didn't speak to anyone in the room! I thought that you became friends with everyone, even though you stayed there only for a week. I wonder whether that happens only in Hokkaido...?
Honestly say, I'm curious what you look like. No, I won't laugh, I promise!;-)

Good night.

Maki

•  Maki
• 2010年11月 8日 23:07

Hi David,

>It hasn't bled at all since I left hospital, even when I pulled out one of the stitches by mistake!
Pulled out? it sounds hurt!
When I had an eye operation, I did not need to have the stitches removed, because the stitches melted away(自然に融ける糸だったので.） I still remember the pain when I moved my eye after operation. It lasted for a couple of months!
take care,

amo

•  amo
• 2010年11月 8日 23:54

Hi Maki,

I look the same as normal, except that I have cotton wool balls in my nose. My brother said that he had a lot of bruising around his eyes after his operation, but I didn't get any at all.

Hi Amo,

I hope I never, never have to have an eye operation! That is the worst thing I can imagine.

•  David
• 2010年11月 9日 00:14

Hi David,

Did you have a good sleep after returning to your home? I hope so.
It's a surprise to hear that your brother have also the operation done(twice!# and sorry to hear about the result.
Anyway,I hope you'll be able to breathe smoothly through your nose in the near future. Be careful not to hit your nose!
As Maki said, I'm also surprised that you didn't even say 'hello' to anyone in the same room. I don't think it's the usual thing even in Aichi. 'Aich Idai' is the big and good hospital,right?
I once visited my friend there and people in the same room were very friendly and chatting.
Sharing the room with other people in the hospital is sometimes stressful,but speaking to nobody sounds even more stressful and boring.

Video entry? Hmmm...it's a good idea! Sorry I will laugh, I can't promise,though..#Just kidding!#

Take care!

Bye for now,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2010年11月 9日 00:16

Hi David,
You are lucky to have had a good procedure. I'm sorry about your brother, it's not worth having pain but not having any difference.
I can imagine not talking with other patients during your stay at the hospital must be boring. Some people might wanted to talk to you. Sometime a little conversation will leads you becoming a friend with someone, although it's difficult to talk to when the curtains are closed all the time, I guess.　ちょっと話してみれば意気投合ということもありますが、カーテンがいつも閉まっていたら話しかけられませんよね。
Depriving sleep is quite annoying, I became cranky liken a baby if someone wakes me up in the middle of the night. Is that a reason you gave us some early morning entries when you were in the hospital?
I'm hoping you'll be back to normal or better. Looking forward to a video entry in a beautiful new voice!

Hi Tomo,
いえいえ、気にしないでね！私は男の子３人の生活がめちゃくちゃで、騒然としているか言いたかっただけなので。。。(^^)

Fumie

•  Fumie
• 2010年11月 9日 07:22

Hi David
Congratulations for getting back your home.
I'm glad to hear that you are healing better.
I never had any operation. So the word of operation always sounds painful!
Please take care until you get back normal life completely.

trmr

•  trmr
• 2010年11月 9日 08:34

Hi David,

Glad to hear your nose is getting better. Before I heard of your nose, I didn't know that the bone in most people's noses curved slightly. Your nose is genetic, I see. I'm sorry that your brother's operations didn't really make any difference to his breathing, but I hope yours will make much difference to your breathing and life!

I have stayed in hospital three times(about for a week for each stay), but those were the only times when I gave birth to my children. I stayed in private rooms twice and shared a room with a woman once. As you know, all the patients were not really "patients"(not sick or injured people), so meals were much nicer than ones in normal(?) hospitals. We had some cake or snack at 3 p.m., and I chatted with other mothers even when I was in a private room. In my last hospital, I even got a massage with aroma oil and had a full-course French dinner before I left the hospital, so my experiences in hospitals are very different from other people. I didn't have to cook, wash, or take care of my baby while I was asleep, so it was a kind of wonderful life for me!(lol)
My mother and my sisters have had operations and stayed in hospital several times, but when I visited them, they were chatting with the people in the ward and shared the snack their visitors gave them.

Anyway, I hope you will be back to normal very soon, and I'm looking forward to your next video entry!

Tomo

PS Thanks Fumie:)

•  Tomo
• 2010年11月 9日 10:16

【訂正】
(about for a week for each stay)　→　(for about a week for each stay)

•  Tomo
• 2010年11月 9日 10:31

Hi David,

Congratuations on your getting out of the hospital, and I'm glad to hear your nose getting better.
Are you wear a mask everyday?
You may hate it but it's good way to prevent you from catching ful and cold this season.
Take care and I'm looking foward your new video entry!

Green

•  Green
• 2010年11月 9日 12:47

Hi everyone,
Today my middle son is going to school trip to Hiroshima.修学旅行
I just found an interesting book at the library.
"Culture Shock" by Rex shelley. As you can guess from the title, the book tells about various culture shocks that foreigners may encounter on their stay in Japan. And the auther pointed out some of the problems that David mentioned at "Things you should not say to foreigners"entry. I found the book very interesting, there are lots of things which I accept as usual things but seems so strange to foreign eyes. It's also a good one to learn English, I guess.
The book received NBDCS book awards (the National Book Development Council of Singapore).
If you are interested in it check it out at Amazon site.

Fumie

•  Fumie
• 2010年11月10日 05:55

Hi Fumie and everyone,

Your son is on his school trip now? I just checked the weather in Hiroshima(I think you did it already, though.), and it says that it's going to be sunny for a couple of days. I hope your son has a great time there!

As for culture shocks that foreigners might experience in Japan, I remember that my friend's American boyfriend was very surprised at how many vending machines in Japan and how many things they were selling. You can buy almost anything in Japanese vending machines, but before I met him, I didn't know that it was a surprising thing. It was just one of the usual things for me.
David said a long time ago that the thing that shocked him most was the contrast between high and low technology, and one of the most surprising things was automatic doors. He said that Japanese automatic doors were sooooo slow! I never thought of that.

See you soon,

Tomo

•  Tomo
• 2010年11月10日 08:49

Hi Fumie,

Your son is on his school trip to Hiroshima?
Many students in Kansai area go to Hiroshima and aroud there for school trip?
I wondered where they go for school trip.
Many students in Kanto area go to Kyoto and Nara for school trip but the students in Kansai area already live near by.
I hope your son has a great time and happy memories with his friends!

Green

•  Green
• 2010年11月10日 12:58

Hi David,

Did you go to the hospital today? How’s your nose? Much better now? I hope so.

Hi Fumie,

Hope your son having a lot of fun in Hiroshima. By the way, how long does he stay in Hiroshima? Speaking of the book, it sounds a fun to read.

Bye for now,
amo

•  amo
• 2010年11月10日 20:49

Hi David and everyone,

David, how are you feeling today? Hope you feel better. Have you the stitches removed at the hospital?

Fumie, I hope your son are having a great time in Hiroshima. Thanks for letting us know about the book. I checked it on Amazon and it sounds interesting. By the way,what captured you in the book?
As Tomo said, there are tons of vending machines in Japan ranging from beverages to even"flower bouquets" or"bananas."
Machines can be found everywhere ,even in the countryside. Actually it is said that there is one vending machine for every 23 people.

This week David talked about days in the hospital and his story reminded me of my unusual experience.
A few years ago, I broke my right ankle and orthopedic surgeon nearby my house told me that I needed to stay off my feet for a while after putting my leg in a cast. But it was difficult for me to do so those days because I was taking care of my father-in-law. The doctor recommended me to be hospitalized and introduced me to some hospital. The hospital he introduced was mainly for senior citizens; he works for that hospital regularly.
Anyway I shared the ward with three elderlies(my mother's generation) and obviously I was the YOUNG among them! While I was there, I moved by means of a wheelchair,because I was OK besides my right leg. But one of the patients complained about it and said to a nurse while pointing at me,"She is allowed to use the wheelchair but why can't I?" She complained again and again and the nurse seemed to be at a loss for an answer.
Just for the record, she was over ninety! She was always competing with me while I was there. Maybe that might be the secret of her energy and longevity. It was a bit stressful but was a small price to pay because I was able to rest for ten days.

Bye for now,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2010年11月10日 22:36

Hi Tomo, Green , amo, Anne,
Thanks! I hope my son having a good time at Hiroshima and Yamaguchi. I don't know where do all the elementary schools in Kansai region head for, but all the schools in my district go to Hiroshima. Their purpose is learn about atomic bomb, they visit 原爆ドーム. 6 graders start to learn about war. I didn't know that Kansai region students go to Kyoto and Nara. Oh I went to Ise(Mie prefecture) for elementary school trip, long long time ago!

About the book; "Culture Shock", 1 sentence caught my attention.
"The Japanese have a unique culture and style of living that cannot be compared to that of any other people in the world". Is that so? The Japanese are such a unique people? Are we so different from standard? In a sense are we 異端者？
Of course each country has each culture and people have diffent ideas, but the author said that Japanese people are so different from people from Korea or China. My experiences staying in foreign countries are very limited so I'm not sure that the author's point is objective or not.How do you think about that? But I somehow feel Japanese people are unique in good ways and bad ways. I wonder if the Japanese are so unique what made us so?
The author also said "When they talk to you they continually shutting you out with phrases like 'We Japanese'."

Fumie

•  匿名
• 2010年11月11日 06:12

Hi Anne,
About the grumpy elderly woman,
いるいるそうゆうお年寄り！Such kind of senior people often live a long life.
Fumie

•  Fumie
• 2010年11月11日 06:58

Hi Fumie,

This nonsense about Japan being "unique" is dangerous, and I can't believe that non-Japanese are still stupid enough to repeat it. Every country is unique. There is nothing "uniquely unique" about Japan. Saying that Japan is somehow more "unique" than other countries is ridiculous, and if Japanese people say it, it sounds incredibly arrogant, like "Our country is more special than yours."

Actually, there was an article about this in the Japan Times this week arguing that this myth of "uniqueness" is one of the things that holds Japan back from becoming truly internationalized.

•  David
• 2010年11月11日 09:34

【訂正】
...surprised at how many vending machines in Japan　→　...surprised at how many vending machines there were in Japan

Anne, I didn't know that there was one vending machine for every 23 people, wow!

Fumie, I've never lived in foreign countries or never been abroad, so I've never seen Japan from outside, but I don't think only Japanese people are so unique. As you said, every country has its own culture, and every culture has its own values or customs, so I think it's normal to be different. I wonder if the author lived in Japan and saw it from inside as well.(I read about him on Wikipedia, but I couldn't find out.)

•  Tomo
• 2010年11月11日 09:49

Hi Fumie and everyone,

I never think that “The Japanese have a unique culture and….” Every country is unique as David said and I totally agree with him, especially this phrase “if Japanese people say it, it sounds incredibly arrogant, like "Our country is more special than yours."”
I was wondering why the author said so, and what made him think so….

Hi Anne,

You must’ve been irritated by that lady while you were there :-(
I was lucky that I haven’t had that kind of experience during my stay in the hospital. I might have annoyed the rest of the people in the ward the first night, because I groaned with pain in my sleep (lol)

Speak to soon,
amo

•  amo
• 2010年11月11日 22:07

correction

I might have annoyed the rest of the people in the ward the first night,
→I might have annoyed the rest of the people in the ward at the first night,

Good night and sleep tight,
amo

•  amo
• 2010年11月11日 22:35

Hi Amo,

Your first version of that sentence is actually correct.

•  David
• 2010年11月11日 22:40

Hi David and everyone,
I read Japan Times article, although I can't fully understand it because of my English ability. I souldn't be so influenced by one author's point of view. The book I was reading was published in 1993, so his thinking might be obsolete. Still that I write "I somehow feel Japanese people are unique in good ways and bad ways" wasn't appropriate. I'm so sorry if I make you uneasy. I didn't know that using "unique" sounds so arrogant, I don't understand the meaning of "unique" well. I should be more careful when I write my thoughts. And I'm sorry that なごやかなブログの雰囲気を壊しちゃって。

My son came back from 修学旅行　last evening and the souvenior is もみじ饅頭。

Fumie

•  匿名
• 2010年11月12日 07:09

Hi Fumie,

You don't need to say"sorry" at all. It's a part of discussion. Thanks to you, I was able to see things from different perspective. So,I'd like to say,"Thank you!". What do you think,David?

I just wanted to say this.
I'd like to post comment about Culture Shock or "uniquely unique" and other things later,maybe in the afternoon. I read the article too and it was interesting.

I like 'もみじ饅頭。’

See you soon,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2010年11月12日 07:55

Hi Fumie,
Anne took the words right from my mouth. You don't have to apologize. Do you remember these words, "This blog is interesting because people write what they really think. If I disagree with you, I might argue with you, but I will never be offended"? So please don't feel bad about it. Fumieは何も壊してないですよ＾＾
By the way, I'm glad your son is back safely, and I hope he had a wonderful time:)

Hi Anne,
I'm looking forward to reading your post!

See you soon,

Tomo

•  Tomo
• 2010年11月12日 08:19

【訂正】
Anne took the words right from my mouth.　→　Anne took the words right out of my mouth.

肝心な所で間違えた！と思ったら、right from my mouth でもGoogleでかなりの数ヒットしたので、こっちでもいいのかな？　でも right out of my mouth の方がずっと多かったので、とりあえず訂正しておきます。。

•  Tomo
• 2010年11月12日 08:40

Hi Fumie,

Of course there is no need to apologize. As Tomo and Anne said, it is all part of the discussion.

•  David
• 2010年11月12日 09:40

Hi Anne, Tomo, and David,
Thank you all for your warm comments and encouragement! I feel relieved now. I might be a worrywart.

Fumie

•  Fumie
• 2010年11月12日 10:36

Hi David and everyone,

Fumie,our talks were really interesting,right?
I don't think only Japan is 'unique' and each country has its 'unique' or exotic aspect ,and people from foreign countries are sometimes attracted ,feel odd ,were surprised or etc,,etc.
The point is how you understand the word "unique."
For the author in the book, lots of things he had experienced in Japan might have looked "unique" and this is his own impressions,I guess.

To be frank with you, I've never thought the word"unique" as David told us and the word "uniquely unique" and its concept is new to me. I took it as"ユニーク" which Japanese people usually use.
As an English learner, there are lots of opportunities for me to discuss cultural differences in each countries; culture shock,what people from foreign countries like Japan,interviews(or poll) such as"What do you like most about life in Japan" and some other things.
I like reading books and I read a few books written by foreigners and one of them is "Dave Barry does Japan."

Tomo,actually ,I talked about vending machines in Japan last week! That's why I knew the number,haha..

It's fun to know and discuss these things,and yet I'm wondering if people in other countries such as the U.S, England, or China are as enthusiastic about talking about these things same as people are in Japan.
This thought came to my mind...

amo,Fumie,
Yes, there are! But ti wans't that bad. It was the part of my experience...

Speak to you soon,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2010年11月12日 14:57

訂正；
＞Yes,there are! But ti wans't that bad→It wan't that bad

•  Anne
• 2010年11月12日 15:12

初めまして。デービッドの友達のユキです。

I'm also an English teacher. I saw David when he came to the Tokyo area last month. I was reminded how nice it was to talk with him and exchange ideas. I thought it was too bad that I don't get to see him often. Then, I started reading this blog. So, here I am!

I think non-Japanese poeople who don't speak much Japanese tend to make a comment like "Japanese are culturally and linguistically unique." After all, one's cultural understanding is proportionate to one's linguistical ability. I've heard people new to this country say, "It's so different here."

Also, Japanese people like to know how others see us. Look at all the 日本人論 written by non-Japanese poeople. Even when an article is poorly written, it gets published. There's the market! How about Britain, David? Do you guys have the equivalence of 日本人論?

In my teaching, I also make it clear that "we Japanese" isn't a nice phrase to use. Even in Japanese, when I hear people say "私たちは。。。なのよね" "日本では皆。。。なのよね"　kind of thing, I point out and say "私たちって。。。皆って誰ですか？"　　Those expressions bothered me even as a child!

•  匿名
• 2010年11月12日 16:18

Hi ユキ,
Nice to have you with us! And thanks for sharing your thoughts. It's very interesting to hear many points of view. I wish my English teachers had told me about "We Japanese" when I was in school. I just learned about it a few weeks ago. Your students are lucky!

Hi Anne and everyone,

>The point is how you understand the word "unique."

I agree with you. Actually, I didn't know that "unique" could sound so rude. When I first read Fumie's comment about the book, I thought to myself, "This author is trying to say Japan is strange??" I think“ユニーク” can have a meaning of “変わっている”, and in Japanese,“変わっている” is sometimes used in a bad meaning, so I was surprised to read David's comment.(Fumie, thanks to you, I also learned about the word "unique".)

Tomo

•  Tomo
• 2010年11月12日 17:17

Hi Yuki,

Thanks for joining us. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on other topics as well.

•  David
• 2010年11月12日 17:27

Hi everyone,
There are some Katakana-eigo which being used their meaning differently or wrongly in Japan. Sometimes Japanese use those words as Japanese version meaning, and it will confuse foreigners. We should check the real meaning of those words when we use them. "Unique" is one of those words and we use it as meaning of 変わっている and おもしろい（ユニークな人。。。）

Vending machines is one of ubiquitous things in here, let's see... another ubiquitos things are drugstores (they sell food, drinks,commodities... also) and daycare center for senior people.

Hi Anne,
I also read Dave Barry's book long time ago and I thoght he wrote about Japan humorously.

Hi Yuki,
Nice to have you with us and thank you for sharing your ideas.

Hi David,
How is your nose? Are you getting better after you went out of hospital? Please take care of yourself because influenza might prevalent soon.

Fumie

•  匿名
• 2010年11月13日 06:12