I'm Bad at Society

So, the people voted and..................
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D/A) "Making faces at small children and old ladies" & "First time driving in Japan" were the winners for this weeks blog!

Let's begin with D.

So, as a representative of most foreigners, specifically those from America, my actions reflect beyond myself to the greater community that I come from. What does this mean? I fuck around with people every now and then.

Kids, in my experience, will always look at you if you happen to be in their line of sight. It's one of the stranger relationships within society that has yet to be explained in full detail by science, religion, or any other "authority." Is it because kids are infinitely curious? Is it because, to them, each person is something new in their life, essentially expanding their understanding of the world? When a kid looks at you, it's not because you yourself are inherently interesting, you are simply new. At least, that's my interpretation.

Or, ya know, it might happen to me because I'm a goofy looking fucker who wears a stupid smile and who has a childlike sense of wonder and naivety that harkens to them like some kindred spirit who still shits their pants. I don't know. Don't ask me for a proper explanation.

However, regardless of why they look, I almost always look back. Nine out of ten times, it will be with a smile, a nod, a wave, or a comical thumbs up pose. But, that tenth time. That tenth time, my friend, I allow myself to be a jackass.

// Possible Scenario //

Kid: *eating some chicken and rice in a bowl, sitting in a high chair next to an older man, presumably his dad*
Me: *eating some chicken and rice in a bowl a few tables away with my friends*
Kid: *scans room, finds foreigner, briefly stops eating food and stares*
Me: *smile*
Kid: *breaks eye contact and resume eating*
....
Kid: *scan room again, stare again*
Me: *MEANEST EXAGGERATED FUCKING STINK EYE AND SNEAR YOU CAN IMAGINE ON THIS MUG*
Kid: *breaks eye contact and is visibly shaken*
Me: *Inappropriate sense of accomplishment, fist pump*
Friends: *"Graham, you're fucking weird" look*

// End Scene //

However, this jackassery extends beyond children. Oh, dear friend, it is so much more than that. I am stupid to many, many, many people. One particular demographic I savor these moments with is older folks. In my eyes they've lived long enough to see a lot of things, they've been around the block a few times, and so things aren't too exciting. So, why not surprise them every now and then? New experiences keep you young at heart, right? Or do new experiences frighten and cause heart attacks? Not sure. Maybe I should go back and ask the old lady on the floor what she thinks.
ごめんね

But seriously, it's a bit of a stupid pleasure I get. When an older person in Japan happens to make eye contact with you, the furthest thing from their mind (in my experience), is "this guy's gonna give me a comically dirty look." And so, when I do in fact give them a dirty look, I get a few reactions.
1) Shock
2) Revile
3) A mean look back

And the best for last
4) A chuckle.

Sometimes, ya know, every once in a while, the people I throw a social curve ball at throw one right back. It's these rare moments of human interaction that make me smile from ear to ear. Go you, random older person, for not taking my shit. Even more kudos for making me laugh. Let's be friends, aight?

The second story of this post is unfortunately short and I believe I mislead you.

A) "First time Driving in Japan"

I, along with Matt, met this awesome and bubbly KU student named Manami after our Karate class last week (FUCK YEAH, KARATE). We struck up a conversation with her after she helped Matt locate his shoes, ending with an exchange of FB info. Lo and behold, later that week she invites us both to a hotpot party with some of her friends. Who said you had to be the one to nag Japanese students to hang out?

She picks us up Saturday night, along with a another girl named Salomi, and we head off to first get Matt a cell phone and then right after start dinner. Food was delicious, Manami's friends were awesome, her boyfriend Suna (I think?) and I talked about music, English puns, and just life in general. Everyone was having a blast. After dinner finished, the foreigners (Matt, Salomi, and I) rallied a little bit to get energized for karaoke. Unfortunately, we all hit a wall pretty soon into it leading to Manami graciously driving us back home. When we arrived I asked her if I could take a hand at the wheel. She said, "Okay!" let me drive a bit, and then she got back in the driver's seat and went off into the night.

Yeah, not too exciting. However, she did say that she would be cool with me getting behind the wheel again in the future, as long as no one else was on the road (read: 3AM). I'M FUCKING EXCITED.

And, with these words, I bid you adieu.

Peace,
Bitches