New Habits
One thing Ive started thinking about is the fact that Im learning new habits. When I first came to Japan so many things were new that I felt overwhelmed. I could write about new things 2 or 3 times a day and still have more to say. However, now that it feels like things are halfway normal (perhaps im just tuning out some of the overload that is life in a foreign country) I started realizing that many of my new habits have formed without me really paying attention to them.
One such habit that has come about from me living in Japan, and that I have not written about, is my desire to keep my shoes halfway untied. Shoes are put on and taken off at so many locations, that it is just not convenient to tie your shoes like we often do in the US.
Whenever we enter a house we always take off our shoes at the door.
When I go to work I always take off my shoes at the door before going to my desk.
At most restaurants it is also common to remove your shoes before entering.
Its a common case of shoes on, shoes off, shoes on, shoes off - that forced me to start threading my shoelaces only halfway up my shoes, and always leaving the knot and bow in place. I never actually tie my shoes anymore, I simply pull my shoes on.
Sorry, no picture of my shoes today. I’ll post extra pictures on Monday.
August 14th, 2009 at 7:28 am
I wonder what happens when you have a doctor tell you that your not allowed to walk barefooted, and must always walk on orthopedic inserts? Seems like Japan isn’t very foot disability friendly.
August 14th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Lol that was so random, but that’s cool. It’s interesting to hear about people taking their shoes off at work too! We never do that in Colombia, nor in the us I am assuming. That’s a cool fact I didn’t know about
August 15th, 2009 at 4:53 am
hmmm… interesting scenario Jim. I’ll be on the lookout for anyone that is living with that condition here