This morning I was invited to venture off base with friend I have met since our arrival. She has been here about a month and in my opinion a complete expert on Japanese living. I hope to be so wise by the end of the month. She drove us to D2 (“this is not the droid store you’re looking for”) – a store equivalent to a Japanese Walmart. It was stimulating, overwhelming and a great opportunity to learn Japanese customs. The trip took about 15 minutes one way and we spent about an hour shopping.
We wandered around the plant section and selected several plants for the flower bed that is in front of my friend’s townhouse. I could feel a tug of jealousy because she is already living in her accommodations and is able to start making it feel more like home. Considering we have been gypsies and vacationers for so long, I am ready to be planted myself!
Once we entered the store, I was overwhelmed. Most of the signs were in Japanese. Although, there are several signs labeling sections of the store. Having a little bit of English helped us to navigate around the store.
We went to the snack section because I am on the hunt for the wine-flavored Kit Kat. No luck. We did find an interesting option available in the “snack” section. Google Translate informed me the label advertises the dried fish to be extremely high in calcium. Good to know and so is milk.
Let’s discuss what I did buy. To start, I have been searching for LaCroix fizzy water. No luck yet. I have found Perrier but, it is too expensive (249 yen) and the bubbles are too small. Today, I found 3 different types of sparkling water. I purchased two bottles of each brand for my authentic science experiment to determine which brand I enjoy the most. I am secretly hoping it is the brand that only cost 68 yen vice the other two brands that cost 98 yen.
I took a picture to refer back to later and promptly forgot the price of each one. The little packages on the left are “fish flavored” (Google Translate) goldfish like crackers. They are ok. Two packs of Hi-Chew. Grape & Strawberry. Grape is the better flavor of the two. A package of Pretz – pretzel sticks salt flavor – a handy & yummy snack. The Japanese version of poop-pourri in fresh sprig scent (according to Google Translate). (We are living in a hotel room for 2 more weeks, I thought that might be a nice touch.) And finally the magnetic sign for our future vehicle. It is a Japanese requirement for new drivers to attach this sticker to their vehicle until they have one year of driving experience. It alerts other drivers you are a newbie. Totaling – 6 bottles of sparkling water, 1 package of pretzels, 2 packages of starburst like candy, goldfish, poop-pourri and my cool new driver magnet for just 1,727 yen. Rolling back the prices…
Checking out with my items was definitely an experience. One lady scanned the items and another lady bagged the items. Neatly. And fit them all into one bag with great care. I am slowly learning the cultural expectations. The Japanese embrace every opportunity to be polite. For example, when exchanging money, you present the money with both hands and bow slightly. The receiving person takes the money with both hands and returns the bow. All of this occurs while standing at the check out counter and both times a card or money is exchanged. To put it mildly, I looked like the awkward American with a cheesy smile bobbing back and forth. Also, the receipt is placed on a small clipboard so the customer doesn’t have to bend over to sign it. Again, in my awkward American finesse and part bow, I lean over to sign it on the counter. At this point I realize how far I’m having to lean over and think, “good grief these are really low check out counters.” I only realized my mistake when my friend checked out and stood holding the little clipboard and signed her receipt. *Facepalm* For my homework tonight, I am going to practice bowing to the mirror with my credit card firmly held in both hands and say “hai” – meaning, yes and pronounced “hi”.