Why No Looters in Japan?

[Andy A]

I guess you're being facetious about me serving, but I do know a little about Japanese culture. The crime rate is said to be very low even in places like Tokyo. I've heard that a woman in Tokyo can go to the store at 2:00AM in her nightgown and nobody will bother her. I also get the impression that they are a bunch of perverts and there is no stigma against things like extreme violent porn, underage sex and the like.

Sorry. My bad. I was not being facetious as I thought I was responding to a post by Poppy.

 

[Andy A]

His squirrel brain must be infected with rabies....

And this is a reasonable, thoughtful and useful reply? Oh, I get it. the smiley makes it alright. That's OK. I'm guilty of it sometimes as well.

 

[Arkiehawg]

And this is a reasonable, thoughtful and useful reply? Oh, I get it. the smiley makes it alright. That's OK. I'm guilty of it sometimes as well.

Reasonable: as much as any in the forum
Thoughtful: At least I didn't say the group was a bunch of being a bottom feeders
Useful: Entirely up to the reader

more smilies to "make it alright"

 

[Beach Runner]

It probably has to do with the fact that so many in our society are so status conscious. I think a big influence for this attitude has got to be the media. We are constantly fed sounds and images of what we're supposed to have and what we're supposed to be, or at least give the appearance of being. I don't blame the media so much as the people who buy into it. I would guess that in Japan, people are more satisfied with their lot in life. I wonder what sort of media images they are bombarded with.

I will disagree with the Japanese not being status conscious. I am amazed by how many working women I see in Tokyo, Osaka, etc., with expensive designer handbags, Van Cleef jewelry, etc., and also the businessmen who wear designer clothes and expensive watches.

Actually if you've shopped in Paris, say, at LV, you know that the salespeople always help the Asians first because they buy multiples of each item, whereas Americans will buy only a few items. It's a good business practice for the shopkeepers because the US $ isn't worth what it used to be. I don't disparage Asians for that. As Americans, we used to take advantage of deals in Europe when the U.S. $ ruled.

But that doesn't negate my earlier post.

 

[poppy]

Sorry. My bad. I was not being facetious as I thought I was responding to a post by Poppy.

:nono1:

 

[kitlit]

there was a great example of the dichotomy in the coverage of Katrina that was summed up in two pictures. I wish I could find them again but can't.

Picture 1: Black couple with food items (bread, soda, can goods) and stuff like that wading through the water heading away from a store. The caption referred to them as having looted the store.

Picture 2: White couple with food items (bread, soda, can goods) and stuff like that wading through the water heading away from a store. Yeah...basically the exact same stuff. The caption referred to them as having found provisions to help them survive the flood.

WT**?

It's my personal belief that American's are rife with a sense of entitlement so when there is a disaster it's every man for himself but all for the wrong reasons.

Japanese culture is so not that...

Just my opinion. Doesn't mean it's right or wrong...

I also think that it's important to note that in times of trouble, Americans will also come together and help each other. Katrina was obviously a disaster of epic proportions on a lot of levels.

But I think of our little community and how, after hurricanes we've all tried to help each other; local restaurants have set up shop with grills and gas burners to feed everybody; we've checked on friend's and neighbor's properties when they've been unable to get back in to do it themselves; etc. That's what it's all about. I know that that is small scale, but every great thing starts small. Our country was built on little communities just like ours, and they still exist! I think it's just easier to forget that because we've got media who so often prefer to look to the mean-spirited, sensationalized stories. How sad.

 

[Teresa]

Our communities are the BEST when it comes to pulling together and helping our fellow citizens in need after any and all disasters! We are also extremely involved on many levels in helping as much as we can other countries around the world as we will now do for Japan - they are going to need a worldwide effort - I have no doubt the USA (individuals, groups, communities and govt) will contribute a huge share of their time and resources. This is the kind of situation that will show you all you need to know and understand about humanity - the outpouring of assistance of every kind imaginable. not looting, for goodness sake!

 

[LuciferSam]

I will disagree with the Japanese not being status conscious. I am amazed by how many working women I see in Tokyo, Osaka, etc., with expensive designer handbags, Van Cleef jewelry, etc., and also the businessmen who wear designer clothes and expensive watches.

Actually if you've shopped in Paris, say, at LV, you know that the salespeople always help the Asians first because they buy multiples of each item, whereas Americans will buy only a few items. It's a good business practice for the shopkeepers because the US $ isn't worth what it used to be. I don't disparage Asians for that. As Americans, we used to take advantage of deals in Europe when the U.S. $ ruled.

But that doesn't negate my earlier post.

I'm interested in learning more about this. I know that some people in Tokyo a willing to live in tiny cramped apartments. They do like to jam a lot of stuff in there though.

 

[Beach Runner]

I'm interested in learning more about this. I know that some people in Tokyo a willing to live in tiny cramped apartments. They do like to jam a lot of stuff in there though.

No one in the city sees where they live. They just see how they look in the Ginza.

 

[Miss Kitty]

No one in the city sees where they live. They just see how they look in the Ginza.

Japan's Earthquake Sends a Shockwave Through the Luxury Goods Business - DailyFinance