JAWing On – Life on Okinawa

As unbelievable as it may seem in these days and times, I actually had a Japanese customer openly offer a regular female customer the equivalent of one hundred dollars for sexual favors at our bar this weekend. She tried to tell him “No” nicely, but he kept on persisiting. When I told him that our club is not that type of club, he told me “F*** you!” I’ve never lived in mainland Japan, but I don’t think that this type of behavior towards any female who happens to be in a bar is acceptable. Just because a female is at a bar doesn’t mean she wants to be picked-up! Most females have more self-respect for themselves. Many females go just to hear and/or dance to the music. It is not uncommon in Asia for this type of transaction at certain facilities. If a man is looking for that type of “service”, he should go to those “entertainment” facilities!

There are over one million people on this little island. With all of those people, one would think that they would be able to come-up with their own creative ideas. But no, it never fails. whenever I create a new idea for the club there is always someone trying to use it for their own purposes. I mean, I’m no creative genius. I am just willing to take the time and effort necessary to locate objects or create logos and “catch phrases” for the club. Even people who think they should receive royalties for their own creative works, try to steal the ideas. It’s a shame that this is a part of life as we know it in these times.

On Saturday I was doing research for something and ran across a November 1997 article involving Taki. The article includes an interview he did with a Washington Times reporter. Taki didn’t even know the article was ever printed. When I tried to gain access to the full article, I found that the newpaper requires a payment for access to archived news articles. First, I do not feel comfortable enough with internet security to provide private financial information, such as a credit card number. Second, I was surprised that a major newpaper, such as the Times, charges for persons seeking archived information. I noticed that there is online advertising by sponsors. Doesn’t that and regular subsciptions provide enough of a profit for your investors? I am glad not to be a student seeking archived information in these days and times if I would have to pay for every article I wished to access. If you are interested in reading the full article, a brief lead into the story is available here.

People who finish half an alcoholic beverage and then request another “splash” of mixer, usually cola, because the drink is too strong. These are the same type of people who try to eat half of a dinner and then complain that the food isn’t edible! If the drink was that strong to begin with, it doesn’t take half the drink to realize it. Think of it this way, at least you know you’re getting your money’s worth. And most beverage servers are fully aware of whether or not the drinks they prepare are strong. Those servers who do prepare stiff beverages usually don’t mind providing a little extra mixer if a person after one or two sips, not gulps, requests so.

Exactly what do people who come into an establishment, order a product, and then proceed to play games when it is time for payment think is so amusing. As a beverage server, I doubt you would find it very “cute” if I slid a drink back and forth when you were waiting for it. I also doubt that the customers waiting patiently behind you find your needless time-consuming games very entertaining. If you are looking for female attention, go to a hostess-style bar. After all that is what they are being paid for, to entertain you and laugh at your childish behavior.

There is very little more disgusting in a human`s personal behavior than some people`s tendency to spit in public places. Who wants to sit down at a watering hole table and see someone else`s blob. Or even worse, walk across a floor and get the blob stuck to their shoe. I am well aware that for some people the enjoyment of chew tobacco is addictive. However, is it really necessary to share the masticated slimy blob with the mass population! I`m sure if you ask, most bar personnel will be more than happy to provide a plastic cup with a napkin inside to meet your expultory needs.

What is going through the minds of people who throw trash onto a road or place it on the road divider? I assume they clear their vehicles of trash to keep a clean personal environment. So they must think the rest of the world should have to deal with their personal trash! Not only is it an eyesore to see cans, bottles, and plastic containers strewn all over the place, on Okinawa it is a driving hazard. With the strength of the winds that accompany the all too familiar tropical cyclone systems, the trash inevitably gets blown all over the road. Cars constantly have to swerve to avoid these unsightly hazards. Is it really that difficult to use an appropriate trash receptacle?

Women who have to talk to other women’s husbands about their personal lives! I don’t know a simple way of putting it. There are some women who use their femininity to cause havoc in other women’s marriages. I’m not talking about mistresses, but women who don’t like the wife of a person so instead of being direct with the wife they don’t like, they do things to cause arguments between the couple. One of these is to be obvious by pursuing the passive/aggressive manner of “innocently” being flirtatious with the physique- hugs, hands all over the husband when they talk, etc. But the more damaging way is to “innocently” approach the target woman’s husband about personal troubles the aggressing female has with her current partner. All I have to say on this matter is:

1) If you have been putting-up with and complaining about dishonesty and abuse for year after year-quit whining!
2) You are a little girl not a woman-women take the matter to the source – you are the only one who has the power to change it!
3) Grow-up-very few true marriages are going break-up over such trivial nonsense.

These little girls might be successful in causing a small degree of disharmony between the couple, but mature women can see between the lines. If the married woman truly loves her spouse, she won’t allow the antics of these childish females to destroy her marriage!

Tipping on Okinawa is usually reserved for businesses frequented by Americans. I tell my regulars that I don’t think it is necessary to tip. If a customer does decide to tip, it is supposed to be in gratitude for good service rendered, not a bribe for special treatment in the future. Yet some people try to claim that I should provide them special treatment because of the amount of tipping they have done. The usual claim is that they have tipped over one hundred dollars in the previous month.

1) People should have a realistic idea of how much the service person makes in tips prior to making such a claim.
2) A service person usually knows exactly who does the tipping and approximately how much.
3) Not all service persons can be bribed into doing what is disadvantageous to the equal and fair treatment of all customers.