Shucks!

This word is perhaps the most overly used expression in my English vernacular since coming here some years ago. I have probably said the word “shucks” more times than “hello,” or “how are you.” (“I can go, but I can’t stay overnight even though I’m a grown woman, but I want you so bad, what can I do for you?” “I can eat sushi, but I can’t stand the rice used for sushi because of its vinegary taste.” “I wish I could live in Australia, away from the modern conveniences of home here in Japan, even though I’ve never been there, and I also wish I could have some little half babies too, because they are so cute and if I’m lucky the baby will come equipped with its own keitai strap so I can wrap it around my mobile phone like cheap jewelry, and then maybe all of my friends will want one too”).

Who’s been shirking their responsibilities in child rearing here in Japan? At first I’m inclined to believe that it’s the father who’s been shirking his spiritual and moral responsibilities to his daughters and to society, and ultimately to his country! But, then I wonder if this is just a cultural phenomenon, or is there even any culture left here in Japan in the first place? Some pundits say it has something to do with post modernization and very little to do with western ideals. I say the responsibility rests squarely on the fathers shoulders, period!

Does society just feed and water its children, then keep its fingers crossed hoping that child grows up to become a respectable member of society? Purposeless child rearing is what I call it, and anytime a grown woman who’s well into her 30s and 40s chooses Disneyland over a nice hot spring resort, or a watered down cocktail over her own national drink, or a half baby over her own baby, or a less off countries more than her own country, then this is because of a lack of home training and home education from her father and mother. Society and public schooling and Western idealism are not entirely to blame.

I’m shucking tired of all the puerile behavior that goes on over here. It absurd! Here’s another one: Nihonshu stinks! Tigers have black and yellow stripes, traffic lights are red yellow and blue.

This Xmas I’ll be enjoying a nice bottle of nihonshu because I’m the only one in Japan who seems to appreciate its beautiful smells, tastes and aromas.