Random Handouts

A day rarely goes by in Nagoya when I don't get offered free stuff by people standing on street corners.

Usually these people are handing out things like pocket packs of tissues, coupons, plastic bags, or flyers (all with crazy Japanese advertisements on them).  Some of the cooler items have received were: cheap toys, candy, or a file folder (again all with crazy Japanese advertisements on them).  Mom and Dad thought this was pretty cool when they were here, but what they also noticed was some times foreigners get skipped over with the free stuff.  Dad was totally offended that we were obviously being avoided!  But who can blame them really?!  It's highly likely just based on our looks that we can't read the Japanese advertisement...  Thus, Dad was bound and determined to get some free tissues from the street corner people, and sure enough, after a few days his pockets were overflowing!!

Today I was walking down the street with my Japanese trainer, Yosuke, and I noticed a guy handing out some kind of pamphlet, but he wasn't offering it to everyone.  He was being selective and this time not just with the foreigners.  As we got closer, he tried to force one on Yosuke, but he waved him away.  As we walked away Yosuke said "Do you know what he was handing out?" in an irritated tone.  I said "Noooo" really slowly wondering if it was some kind of lewd advertisement for "gentlemen" (like the streets of Vegas!).  But as it turns out it was an advertisement for a diet program!!  Then Yosuke said "Do you notice how he's not giving them to everyone?  He picked me out!  That's really insulting."  This made me laugh for 2 reasons:

A.  The guy didn't try to give me one!
B.  I look like I need a diet program more than any one in Japan!  (Well, outside of sumo wrestlers maybe...)

After I finally stopped laughing and collected myself, I started thinking about what would happen if that guy tried to hand out those pamphlets on a street corner in America.  He wouldn't last more than 20 minutes before someone would verbally assault him or punch him in the face.   Seriously!  Can you imagine insinuating to some lady with anger management issues that she needs to drop a few lbs by picking her out of a crowd and handing her a pamphlet?!  YIKES!!