mp3 players from tokyo/clubs question

[deepbluevibes]

If i were to buy an mp3 player from tokyo, would it's software work on my laptop/the mp3 player itself work in america?

Assuming I had Japanese language settings on my computer, of course.

Also, got any comments on good mp3 players there?

and now for some club questions;

After being out late at a club on the weekends (or even weekdays), what about dangers are there of being out late in tokyo? Anything like people taking advantage of you (i'm a guy so some forms of that I might not mind =P) or people trying to inject drugs in you or steal stuff from you or physically harm you?

Also, as far as meeting new people in clubs/bars; how ok is that? I know that Tokyo/Japan is very "against" just casually making friends, so how is it in the club scene?

I.e. I see a guy who is using a laptop playing a game I realize, or a group of people, or a cute girl, if I were to walk up to them and say "hey" and start talking in english or start talking in japanese (if they knew english, that is) what would usually happen?

A) they'd get freaked out
B) they'd find me interesting and want to talk to me cuz im from the USA
C) they'd find me interesting and want to talk to me just because
D) they'd ignore me

Also, what is policy for cameras inside clubs/bars? and what would be the chances of getting said camera stolen if I kept it on me at all times? Or being "persuaded" (threatened) for it?

[PopCulturePooka]

If i were to buy an mp3 player from tokyo, would it's software work on my laptop/the mp3 player itself work in america?

Assuming I had Japanese language settings on my computer, of course.

Also, got any comments on good mp3 players there?
Don't bother. They really don't have anything widely different or better than MP3 players in the west. Just like in the west, Japan is iPods bitch. Most people use iPods. Or Sony. Or Rio. Or iRiver. or Creative.

Prices aren't really that great either unless you go duty free.



After being out late at a club on the weekends (or even weekdays), what about dangers are there of being out late in tokyo? Anything like people taking advantage of you (i'm a guy so some forms of that I might not mind =P) or people trying to inject drugs in you or steal stuff from you or physically harm you?Never heard of that. I've heard an interesting group of stories about guys that will spike your drink and then while you are fucked up, go on a drinking spree on your credit card. haha which is pretty fucking cool.

But no. Generally safe. Of course don't aggravate drunk people. Don't flaunt any pick ups you have in front of Japanese guys either. Or foreign guys.

Also, as far as meeting new people in clubs/bars; how ok is that? I know that Tokyo/Japan is very "against" just casually making friends, so how is it in the club scene?Your friends will be one night friends. have a few drinks, a chat (in english, don't spoil their fun), some laughs and forget about it all the next day

I.e. I see a guy who is using a laptop playing a game I realize, or a group of people, or a cute girl, if I were to walk up to them and say "hey" and start talking in english or start talking in japanese (if they knew english, that is) what would usually happen?tell me, do you go up and bother people randomly, if they are playing a game on their laptop or in a group, in America and talk to them? Would you appreciate strangers doing it to you?

In Japan I used to HATE being bothered by strange Japanese (or foreigners) while I was obviously occupied. I suppose they feel the same.

In a club is a different set of rules, but still use your head

But to answer your question:


A) they'd get freaked outThis could happen if they can't speak english. even if you speak Japanese, they may freak out because THEY can't speak english. Try once, if they freak, walk away.
B) they'd find me interesting and want to talk to me cuz im from the USAThis could be one. If they speak english, they may view you as a free english lesson. In this case they dont care WHO YOU ARE, they care that you speak enlish and they can practice. For all they care you can talk about the breeding habits of Rose based aphids. As longs as its English.

C) they'd find me interesting and want to talk to me just becauseThis hoenstly would the rarest reaction.

D) they'd ignore meIf they are busy, occupied or 'cool' they will do this.


But I really don't suggest bothering people in the street/in public. Only in clubs.

Also, what is policy for cameras inside clubs/bars? and what would be the chances of getting said camera stolen if I kept it on me at all times? Or being "persuaded" (threatened) for it?Depends on the club really. Ask before you go in.

[deepbluevibes]

"tell me, do you go up and bother people randomly, if they are playing a game on their laptop or in a group, in America and talk to them? Would you appreciate strangers doing it to you"

actually, i get this done to me on a daily basis. i live in california so maybe that's why? i get bothered/people just start talking to me at college, in arcades, walking down the street, in malls, and a ton of other places.

i also do it myself a ton to people i find interesting. no one ever seems to mind.

what if it's just some girl by herself in a club or some guy by himself in a club and i just indicated i was trying to make friends or have a chat?

[PopCulturePooka]

actually, i get this done to me on a daily basis. i live in california so maybe that's why? i get bothered/people just start talking to me at college, in arcades, walking down the street, in malls, and a ton of other places.

i also do it myself a ton to people i find interesting. no one ever seems to mind.

what if it's just some girl by herself in a club or some guy by himself in a club and i just indicated i was trying to make friends or have a chat?
Like I said, a club is a different thing.

Haha but in a Japanese club, it would be rare to see a girl there alone, and a guy alone is a weird guy.

Try bars.

[koku]

If you were studying a language, and you met someone who spoke that language, wouldn't you be motivated to strike up a conversation with them? Don't lie; we also do this sometimes. That doesn't have to be the ONLY reason but for example, if a Japanese foreign exchange student was to get transfered into my class, I probably would say hello and get to know him/her. I've done this before (back when I didn't have interest in Japanese) but some of the reason where race. A couple where:

1) "Whoa. Japanese guy and a foreign exchange student! You don't see that everyday."

2) Because he was Japanese and spoke little english, he was shy and wasn't approached by many people.


Now after taking Japanese I have introduced myself to a few people that I assumed to be Japanese. Will I be friends with them just because their Japanese? I'd like to think no. I'd like to think that to make friends with someone I'd have to get along with them on a better level beyond just language. Will I make aqquantances with them? Yes, If i feel in the mood I will.

So when you think of

B) they'd find me interesting and want to talk to me cuz im from the USA

I think more people should just plain realize this happens. And that's probably going to be one the most frequent reasons people will talk to you at first. BUT perhaps it shouldn't be regarded as such a bad thing. It can start from this and turn into a sincere friendship no?

With the few people that I approached just because they knew japanese, I don't see them anymore. Beyond the language, there wasn't much else in common. With the foreign exchange student, I was freinds with him for 2 years and e-mailed back and forth for a while after he went back to Japan. Why? Because of things in common like being on the track and cross country team, having similar friends, and other things that made it a real friendship vs. "oh he speaks/knows japanese."

So I'd like to think just because people talk to you for reason B, don't give up right away and disregard the bunch; some of them could end up liking you as a person.

[KunningKitsune]

Yeah, this sounds familiar. When I left my teaching job in Japan, about three and half years ago now, I got everyone's email addresses and sure enough, within a few months I wrote to maybe one or two and now the only one I ever communicate with is the one I spent most of my time talking about MTBing, climbing and skiing with - ie the only one I struck up a relationship with that was like those relationships I would form under usual circumstances.

[deepbluevibes]

ooh, also.. im having problems speaking informal. i think i asked this before but not sure... but are the youth/teenagers of tokyo going to look at me funny if i try to speak in japanese, but it's all/mostly formal? :-/

[PopCulturePooka]

ooh, also.. im having problems speaking informal. i think i asked this before but not sure... but are the youth/teenagers of tokyo going to look at me funny if i try to speak in japanese, but it's all/mostly formal? :-/
Yes.........

[deepbluevibes]

Yes.........

you know, if you are getting annoyed by something, it's not good to hide it.