Yesterday a couple friends and I packed the kids up and headed to Sankai's and the bunny store. Sankai's is similar to walmart, or a dollar store. A huge Hodge podge of stuff that we think we need, but really we don't. The bunny store is a baby store. It has a huge photo of a bunny on the front so that is what we call it. I am sure it has an actual name but we don't know it.
We finished our shopping at Sankai's and headed into the bunny store, when I noticed Peyton was holding something in his hand. It was a sticker of a train, and it was STOLEN! I remember Peyton asking me for it when we first entered Sankai's. I glanced at it, and asked him to hold on a moment ( I was eyeing a really nice piece of fabric). And, never really gave it another thought. Fast forward to the bunny store and he sure held on, all the way out of the store. For a moment I just stood there. Wondering what I should do. Normally in the states I would walk him to the store, have him apologise and return the illegally procured merchandise. In this case I wasn't sure what the social protocol would be. Do I keep it and have a talk with him at home? Drive him to the nearest pokey and pray they feed my son something other then fermented fish and bread once he is booked? I really was at a loss.
My friends and I had a good giggle (under our breath) and I decided that I would do exactly what I would do in the US. I quickly paid my tab at the Bunny Store, making sure Peyton didn't get sticky fingers there and we marched back to Sankai's
Japan is a country based on routine, tradition, and a strong belief in not bringing attention to ones self. Unless of course you are a teenager. Then all bets are off. I was told once that teenagers here dress the way they do because they are forced to wear a uniform all day at school. Part of me believes that, and part of me believes that being a teenager is universal. So I was actually nervous about walking him back. But, a lesson had to be learned.
Before entering the store, I explained to Peyton what I expected him to do. In we walk, Peyton looking just as pitiful as he pleased and me none to happy. We walked to the counter, and Peyton said sumimasen = excuse me (in his quiet as a church mouse voice, that I had no idea he possessed) to the nice man behind the counter. Of course he didn't hear him, so I said it a bit louder. The nice young man turned around and smiled at Peyton. With his eyes cast down, his arm stretched out to hand the sticker back he said gomenasai = sorry. (Again using his new found church mouse voice). By this time Peyton was upset, and it showed. The nice Japanese man was confused, he took the sticker all the while looking at me. I repeated to Peyton what I told him on the way back to the store. We do not take things from a store that are not paid for. By this time the nice Japanese man working there looked horrified. Part of me thinks he understood what I said to Peyton. Part of me thinks it was part of his do not call attention to oneself. He tried to give the sticker to Peyton saying he was Kawaii. (this means cute). Trying to smile, and he actually went to hug him. Well, I was having none of this kawaii business, so I told Peyton to please bow at the nice man, and let's go! (bowing is a sign of respect in Japan) My church mouse, meek, poor son performed his best bow... and out we went! As we walked out I noticed a few customers watching me with hawk eyes. One little old lady even glared at me.. I felt about 2 inches tall. I am still not sure what the nice man behind the counter thought... I do know that Peyton has learned we do not take thing that are not paid for. And, I have learned that when I tell my kids just a moment, they will hold me to it!
Oh, and search all pockets before we leave that store... ha ha!
Just another day... Living Lost in translation!!
3 comments:
Oh I feel you. I got locked in a Japanese bathroom with my youngest son once. It was one of those family/handicap ones. But the door didn't lock when we went in *or so I thought*. After my son and I finished doing what we needed to do I tried opening the door. It wouldn't move. The experience ended with a Japanese guard opening it for us. Apparently we had to push it and pull it in a certain way. Lesson learned. The guard just laughed as I bowed and thanked him repeatly in Japanese. We saw him later on during our shopping trip, he just smilied and nodded. Ah life in another country.
you did the right thing for you and your boy, embarrassing though it was. I can't even imgagine the day by day cultural differences to learn. give me a headache thinking about it lol
Yep, that's what you had to do, make him take it back.
But somewhere on the 'net there's a Japanese clerk with a blog talking about this crazy American girl bringing her little boy into the store for who knows what reason... and wow, aren't the people from the USA weird?
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