tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34190295.post7226232836227726722..comments2023-10-16T05:15:24.407-07:00Comments on random musings: danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562613986188813209noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34190295.post-33469291712423677302007-04-16T15:57:00.000-07:002007-04-16T15:57:00.000-07:00PS it's actually hard for younger Japanese to imag...PS <BR/>it's actually hard for younger Japanese to imagine wartime devastation too-not just canadians and americans, my bad..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34190295.post-9565320738818335722007-04-16T15:42:00.000-07:002007-04-16T15:42:00.000-07:00Oh yes, the expensive fruit, maybe you haven't exp...Oh yes, the expensive fruit, maybe you haven't experienced it yet but it is something we refer to as the gift wars. As the name implies gifting is an ongoing battle in Japan. It is kind of inappropriate to show up with out a gift for most social encounters and it is presumptive to choose a gift that may impinge upon the giftees sensibilities. For instance, a piece of art would be a bad choice. It may mean you think there is something wrong with the art already present so you are trying give something you think is better. Since most people live in small places a gift that is long lasting becomes akward in that the reciever may feel obliged to keep it forever thus taking up what little floor space is available. Nothing better than a gift that is naturally limited by time, flowers wilt and fruit gets eaten. But since this is a war the price is also important. Too little value means you hold the person in low esteem. Since everyone knows that fruit from particular places, like specialty shops and big major dept stores, is wildly expensive it becomes the perfect gift. It won't last forever, its delicious, and it really cost a lot of money. In this sense if you bring a 100.00 melon to party and someone else brings a 200.00 melon than you have just been defeated in this battle. Sounds funny but it's a fact of life in Japan. Its hard to imagine for Canadians and Americans who have never been so totally devastated by war as Japan was what a perfect melon symbolizes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com