tranel said...

tranel at 11:22 AM JST - 30th September

Regarding business English: Yes, it is DEFINITELY different from conversational English, and no, recent graduates without work experience cannot teach it—and hence shouldn't.

With that out of the way, Nova's downfall was in the cards, but the overall mindset of the industry remains the same. Take GABA for instance, there…

Posted in What is your impression of the English-teaching industry in Japan? Have things improved since Nova's collapse or are there still bad apples in the barrel? at 11:22 AM JST - 30th September
tranel at 09:52 AM JST - 30th July

Let's just say that older Japanese men are NOT entitled to ranting about the behaviour of young women here. As for idiots complaining that applying makeup in the train... well a) it is not the same as "peeing", b) have a heart will you, why do you need to force…

Posted in Older men up in arms over slovenly female behavior at 09:52 AM JST - 30th July
tranel at 10:45 AM JST - 1st April

"But let’s not forget that Japan is a functioning democracy."

Brother, where did this come from? I agree with many things in the above article, but THIS is just laughable.

Posted in Why I’m bullish on Japan at 10:45 AM JST - 1st April
tranel at 10:37 AM JST - 1st April

WHY is there a news story about this? How can this possibly be of any interest to anybody??

Posted in Seiko Matsuda dyes her hair 'Celebrity Beige' for new commercial at 10:37 AM JST - 1st April
tranel at 01:11 PM JST - 27th March

If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. Move on.

Posted in Sex on the first date: Good idea or not? at 01:11 PM JST - 27th March
tranel at 12:16 PM JST - 24th March

And why, if the percentage is so high, aren't Japanese women out in the streets making noise about this, where are the demonstrations, the active campaigns...? Ah so ka, this is Japan, wa above all else. As for Japanese men, I have long since lost respect for most of them,…

Posted in Over 30% of married women experience domestic violence: survey at 12:16 PM JST - 24th March
tranel at 04:13 PM JST - 23rd March

Hmmm... the other day a few drops of rain hit the Odakyu line trains, and Bam the trains were 10 minutes late. Tomorrow, shock and horror, sunlight will hit the trains too, I think the transport system will collapse. Sorry, but this is ridiculous. The only problem is that the…

Posted in Strong winds disrupt train, subway services in Tokyo at 04:13 PM JST - 23rd March
tranel at 11:53 AM JST - 23rd March

“There’s not, but if I meet the right guy, I will cover myself in sugar and become a sweet shrimp!”

Oooh, the innuendo totally escapes her.... or does it?

Posted in Ebi-chan happy to become 'sweet shrimp' for the right guy at 11:53 AM JST - 23rd March
tranel at 11:50 AM JST - 23rd March

"Three men have been arrested for attacking and stealing the wallet of an inebriated salaryman who was on his way home in Tokyo."

What really caught me with this article was that the attackers had the temerity to attack the wallet before they stole it—double the insult. What's next?

Posted in Three men arrested for robbing drunken salarymen in Tokyo at 11:50 AM JST - 23rd March