Farmboy said...

Farmboy at 03:22 PM JST - 27th August

They serve a purpose...fast, mostly edible food for a low price. If you choose carefully, the selections aren't too bad for your health, but if you just go there all the time and eat whatever, you're asking for health problems later on.

The only problem is that there places sort…

Posted in Fast food places like McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, KFC, etc, are frequently criticized. What do you think of them? at 03:22 PM JST - 27th August
Farmboy at 02:50 PM JST - 27th August

Last Friday, I tested positive for influenza A, but since it wasn't a "group infection", the hospital would not test for H1N1.

So as kirakira pointed out above, if you have the A virus now, you have the new flu. Did they treat you for the new flu, or are…

Posted in 794 new-flu group infections logged in 1 week; 4th death reported at 02:50 PM JST - 27th August
Farmboy at 02:32 PM JST - 27th August

There is no need for Japan to follow the US world view, but it's not clear from the article what the US world view would be replaced with. Will they just do the opposite of what the US wants and call it a policy? So far, this seems rather vague.

Posted in Japan needs to diverge from status quo of following U.S., says adviser to Hatoyama at 02:32 PM JST - 27th August
Farmboy at 07:54 AM JST - 27th August

What is a "group infection," and can anybody join?

Posted in 794 new-flu group infections logged in 1 week; 4th death reported at 07:54 AM JST - 27th August
Farmboy at 05:04 PM JST - 26th August
During the reporting one-week period, 72 schools in six prefectures, including Okinawa, were closed entirely, while five schools in three prefectures, such as Shizuoka, closed some classes, according to the ministry.

Today's reading comprehension questions:
1. Which six prefectures have schools that are closed entirely?
2. Which three prefectures closed…
Posted in 77 kindergartens, schools closed due to H1N1 flu outbreak at 05:04 PM JST - 26th August
Farmboy at 07:45 AM JST - 26th August

Almost all attendees were leftist people who came from all over Japan riding on buses...

Yes, the right wing probably has a small presence at these get togethers. His statement is odd...is it a bad translation, or is it odd in Japanese as well? Are leftists on buses worse than…

Posted in Tamogami calls Hiroshima peace ceremony meeting of 'leftists' at 07:45 AM JST - 26th August
Farmboy at 08:24 PM JST - 25th August

bdaniel, Sorry, the post referred to tipping the the US, but I wasn't clear about that. Yes, I like the Japanese system because the waiter/waitress get a reasonable salary, and all costs are included in the price.

Posted in What do you think of the tipping system in restaurants, taxis, etc? at 08:24 PM JST - 25th August
Farmboy at 07:36 PM JST - 25th August

Yes, I generally get better service in Japan, too. The system here is healthier all the way around. That doesn't change the custom in the US though. I think it's a good idea to buy a guidebook to check the custom in a country rather than expect the custom to…

Posted in What do you think of the tipping system in restaurants, taxis, etc? at 07:36 PM JST - 25th August
Farmboy at 06:40 PM JST - 25th August

After this, there will be a notation in the handbook to slow the train to 70kph when taking pictures.

Posted in JR West driver took photos of 2 women passengers while operating train at 120 kph at 06:40 PM JST - 25th August
Farmboy at 04:49 PM JST - 25th August

I've been in Japan for a while, so I double-checked the salary for waitpeople. This is the first one I found: $3.63 plus tips, about 350 yen an hour plus tips.

http://careerlink.com/5/6/3/8/po/000083f.htm?src=simplyhired

Posted in What do you think of the tipping system in restaurants, taxis, etc? at 04:49 PM JST - 25th August