Bad Luck Comes in Three's plus One: One Bad Day in Japan

From bank rejections to immigration issues, from an almost-imprisonment to a money-draining situation. These made my day yesterday- a series of unfortunate events.

I filed for a half-day yesterday to process some personal documents. It was a failure and the half-day felt like a waste. To assuage my frustration, I just tried to reflect the things I have learned from yesterday's experiences. 

Here are some of them:

1. Have a hanko when opening a new bank account. 

hanko
photo credit: http://www.jun-gifts.com/personalizedgifts/hanko/hanko1/hanko1.htm

I went to three banks- Mizuho, MUFJ and SMBC. They all turned me down because I don't have a hanko. A hanko is a like a stamp with your name in Japanese characters on it. Japanese use this in place of a signature. Although I've read in the net that I can apply without a hanko, all three banks required me to have one. 

2. Call immigration for needed documents when applying for "Permission to Engage in Other Activities" visa. 

This visa "Permission to Engage in Other Activities" are for people who are planning to earn money outside the type of visa they have. I have an instructor visa- applicable to teachers for Grade School to High School. I plan to do have some Business English classes for a company which is outside the scope of my current visa. Following the instructions on the net, I filled-out a document and only brought my passport and residence card. The immigration staff said I had to present other documents. Pissed off already with bank rejections, I complained I just followed the instructions on their website. The staff just told me that I had to pass the other documents and that I should called first. Right!

3. Always park your bike on the right place. 

bike parking
photo credit: http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-japan-bicycle-parking-lot-image19243044

Months ago, I had to pay 1000 Yen because my bike was parked illegally. I didn't know that the place where I parked was illegal. Several bikes are also parked there. This happened again yesterday. I was just parking my bike when a police officer approached me. I almost cried cause I don't want to pay 1000 Yen and I was already frustrated. I pointed to the other bikes and I said I really didn't know. I said sorry a lot of times. I think I really looked pitiful that he gave in and did not issue me a ticket. 

4. Make sure to have your bike registered to your name. 

To add to illegal parking, part of the reason why I was almost in tears was that I cannot produce my bike's registration. In Japan, it is illegal to ride a bicycle not your own. My bike was given to me by another ALT. It was registered in her name. So added to illegal parking, the police officer can assume I stole the bike. The punishment of that is a hefty fine and a possible imprisonment. As I have said in Number 3, the police officer was kind enough to let me go. He also advised me to remove the bike's current number, have another number and register it to my name. I will definitely do that!

5. Always make sure you follow the rules in your Sports Club

To cap off the day, I had to shell out 9000 Yen. This is to pay the monthly due of the fitness center I use. I went there last January 6 to have my membership discontinued. The staff I talked with agreed. Then 2 weeks after, I receive a payment notice so I went to the center to have it explained to me. I explained my part. The staff explained that I should have given my notice last December and then he pointed out the regulations of the center. I asked why did the other staff said it was okay already. The staff just kept on pointing on the regulation. I reasoned that I was not in the area on the two weeks that they are accepting membership wiithdrawal. The staff just said that I should have read the rule book and filed my withdrawal before I left. In short, I have no choice but to pay. I have accepted my part in the situation but I also felt that the first staff I talked to should also explain why she said it was still okay. She should have at least said sorry to me for the misinformation. 

All the events felt surreal. I can't believe all these things are happening in one day. I could hum 'I had a bad day...' But I'm glad it was just ONE day compared to other good days and the better days that are ahead of me. 

Places to Meet English-Speaking Foreigners in Japan

I met two ladies lately who are living reclusively when they came to Japan. They were sociable people back in the US but they have learned to live in 'isolation' here in Japan. One of them would always look forward to long weekends because she can go to her boyfriend in Yokohama (which is very far from Hamamatsu.) Other than that, she just stays at home on weekends on Skype. What's even more surprising for me is that the only place she has been to in Hamamatsu is the Station. She also hasn't eaten in some popular places in the area. The other girl knows some people in Japan but they are not in Hamamatsu. So, she also stays home on weekends and chat on Skype all day. She tries to hang out with some Japanese people but she feels quite frustrated in dealing with them due to language barriers.

Both ladies told me how they miss interacting with people in person who can understand English. I can feel their frustration because I have been in their situation the first two months that I was here. No friends to hang out with, no plans on the weekend, no life other than Skype .It wasn't only until I begin to take steps in knowing people that I established a social circle. 

For me, here are the best places to meet English-speaking people in Japan: 

1. Your Company

I think most companies who hire foreigners also have other employees who can speak English. Be friendly at the workplace and try to spot people who can speak English. In my case, I asked people in the office if there are other ALT's living near me. One of the staff was kind enough to introduce me to another ALT. That other ALT became my gateway to meet other English-speaking people. 

2. Starbucks 

photo credit: http://www.edgemontvillage.com/starbucks/

I only hanged out at Starbucks twice alone. In both times, I've met people who eventually became my friends. I did not plan to meet people but I did and I am grateful. In my recollection, I just stayed on a seat next to some foreigners. I smiled at them and before we knew it we're already talking. They key here is to find friendly faces who seem open to a conversation. So why in Starbucks anyway? I think it's because Starbucks is a familiar place for foreigners that a lot of them hang out there.  

3. Churches 

Hamamatsu Church of the Savior, the church I go to every Sunday
photo credit: http://hskchurch.com/

A church with an English-speaking service is the best place to meet people, I think. Half of the people that I hang out with most of the time are people whom I met in the church. What's even great is that we share the same faith. If you are an atheist or not really religious, I would still recommend to try finding a church if only for the sake of meeting other people. I think churches in Japan acknowledge how people go to church not only for spiritual reasons but also to socialize. Almost every Sunday, churches have some programs or celebrations after the mass or service. This gives them a reason to stay longer in the church and get to know others. 

4. Japanese Classes

photo credit: http://www.saultcareercentre.ca/2012/01/japanese-classes-starting-in-january/

You're certain to meet foreigners if you attend Japanese classes. Most of you are foreigners for sure. However, not everyone can speak in English. Based on experience, only few Americans and British attend Japanese classes. But even so, I'm still happy to meet other foreigners. We usually go out after the classes and practice what we have learned. 

(See Free Japanese Classes, here.)

I'm not very friendly back in my country. But the isolation I felt here stirred up the sleeping Ms. Congeniality in me. I became less suspicious and more open to people. I learned to take opportunities to make friends. I began to initiate speaking to people. I know that if I wasn't willing to take these steps, I would still be a lone ranger in Japan just like the two ladies I've met.

My Personal Bus Space: Bus Commuting in Japan

I have no qualms sitting next to a stranger. As long as he doesn't smell and seems decent, I'm okay to share seats in buses and trains. I also don't feel the need to ask permission to occupy a vacant seat. This is not so in Japan. A passenger's seat is not only the seat he is occupying but also the seat(s) next to him.

Japan bus
photo credit: http://busexplorer.com/PHP/MidPage.php?id=1671

In buses, it is common to see a lot of empty seats but also a lot of standing passengers. For me, it actually looks ridiculous. The aisle of the bus is crowded but there are empty seats. In my mind, why can't all of you who are standing just sit down and enjoy a comfortable ride? Once, a bus driver reprimanded those who are standing because passengers at the back had a hard time going off the bus. At last, someone said some sense, I thought. 

The silent protocol when riding a bus is that once a two-seater is taken by a passenger, you have to respect his space which includes the seat next to him. You have to find another seat. If all the seats are taken, either you stand or ask for permission. It's like asking the other person if it's fine to share the seat. When I first came to Japan, I would just seat anywhere and people would glance at me. I do this even now. In my mind, 'I'm also paying for my fare so I have every right to this seat.' It's not that I am trying to be disrespectful, it's more on making a point based on common sense.

Then there's the misinterpretation of Priority Seats. A teacher once asked me whether students can sit down on these priority seats. I said yes and the students were surprised by my answer. They said that those seats are just for old people, handicapped and pregnant women. I had to explain that you can sit on those seats if there are no old people, handicapped and pregnant women. I know they didn't believe me. 

Students are also the worst bus passengers for me. In bus terminals, they are the ones who would usually stick themselves in the line to get on the bus. When they find a vacant seat, they would occupy one of the two seats while their bags also occupy the seat next to them. And most of the time, they are the ones who keep on standing, blocking the aisle, when there are a lot of available seats. 

(See more on Children in Japan, here)

But besides these seemngly odd commuting behavior, riding a bus in Japan is an efficient means of transport. Buses are clean and on time with polite and helpful drivers. I cannot say that about buses in other Asian countries.