Why "bizarre" does not begin to describe Japan...

[Faint]

Originally Posted by nutshell

Bottom Line: Japan is no more bizarre than the U.S. It's all a matter of point-of-view.

Dude...they're vending machines with USED PANTIES!

On the other hand, Florida could probably give Japan a run for it's money on straight-up weird behavior:

"Thirteen-year-old tells teacher that enraged raccoon kept her from turning in her homework."

Golf cart crash at 12:30 a.m. injures two. "Alcohol may have contributed to the accident."

Today's "filthy house with crazy person hoarding over 100 birds in it" story brought to you by St. Petersburg

Man has dispute with neighbor. Does sensible thing -- crashes truck through front door of house, threatens occupants at gunpoint

Grey-haired anthropologist makes career studying exotic culture of strip clubs

Part-time Special Forces, full-time detention captain busted with stolen sheriff's ammo, gunpowder, grenades

He's a good kid," his sister said. "He just has a problem with stealing cars"

After crashing truck into gas pumps and starting fire, man escapes by climbing atop seven-story utility pole. Hilarity ensues

Guy jogging in a swamp spends four days stuck in muck. Guy jogging in a swamp?

[nutshell]

Originally Posted by YmirGF

Forgive me Nutshell, but I wasn't inclined to ask who my co-worker was listening to. Plus, I'd have to track him down to find out. He did say that she was one of the biggest acts in Japan (this was about 3 years ago). Honest, everybody in the office was ready to lynch him. The thing is, it wasn't the mindless synth-disco aspect or say, half of her vocals, but when she would get wound up and go into a chorus... OMG... The things one hears when one doesn't have a shotgun handy. It sounded like a cross between Yoko Ono, the Spice Girls and a cat being tortured.

Our boss finally told him that if he wanted to listen to it, to wear headphones or to play it when he was in his car.

So you streotyped Japanese pop music based on the music choices of one person?

[nutshell]

Originally Posted by Faint

Dude...they're vending machines with USED PANTIES!

On the other hand, Florida could probably give Japan a run for it's money on straight-up weird behavior:

"Thirteen-year-old tells teacher that enraged raccoon kept her from turning in her homework."

Golf cart crash at 12:30 a.m. injures two. "Alcohol may have contributed to the accident."

Today's "filthy house with crazy person hoarding over 100 birds in it" story brought to you by St. Petersburg

Man has dispute with neighbor. Does sensible thing -- crashes truck through front door of house, threatens occupants at gunpoint

Grey-haired anthropologist makes career studying exotic culture of strip clubs

Part-time Special Forces, full-time detention captain busted with stolen sheriff's ammo, gunpowder, grenades

He's a good kid," his sister said. "He just has a problem with stealing cars"

After crashing truck into gas pumps and starting fire, man escapes by climbing atop seven-story utility pole. Hilarity ensues

Guy jogging in a swamp spends four days stuck in muck. Guy jogging in a swamp?

Thank you. You just defeated your own argument with examples of the West's own "bizarre" behavior.

[MaddLlama]

Originally Posted by YmirGF

Forgive me Nutshell, but I wasn't inclined to ask who my co-worker was listening to. Plus, I'd have to track him down to find out. He did say that she was one of the biggest acts in Japan (this was about 3 years ago). Honest, everybody in the office was ready to lynch him. The thing is, it wasn't the mindless synth-disco aspect or say, half of her vocals, but when she would get wound up and go into a chorus... OMG... The things one hears when one doesn't have a shotgun handy. It sounded like a cross between Yoko Ono, the Spice Girls and a cat being tortured.

Our boss finally told him that if he wanted to listen to it, to wear headphones or to play it when he was in his car.

I'm with Nutshell, most Japanese music is very good. Japanese people like cute things, so it isn't abnormal to find a lot of singers who sing high. I'm sorry that you didn't like it, but I'm sure you're exaggerating. I don't particularly care for any aspect of country music, but you don't see me calling it "mindless hick drivel".

[Capt. Haddock]

I'd heard these machines existed, but I always dismissed it as urban legend.

Can we be sure they're actually used panties and not new ones for ladies on the go?

[Faint]

Originally Posted by nutshell

Thank you. You just defeated your own argument with examples of the West's own "bizarre" behavior.

That's why I said "on the other hand", Sherlock.

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

I'm with Nutshell, most Japanese music is very good.

On music of course we're dealing with opinions. In MY particular opinion, I must say that J-rock & J-pop are indeed "very good", as long as you spell "very good" as C-O-M-P-L-E-T-E-L-Y H-O-R-R-I-D.

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

Japanese people like cute things,

Like tentacle rape cartoons!

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

so it isn't abnormal to find a lot of singers who sing high. I'm sorry that you didn't like it, but I'm sure you're exaggerating.

I don't think he is. Most of the J-rock I've heard indeed sounds like Alvin & the Chipmunks shouting over old 80's metal riffs.

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

I don't particularly care for any aspect of country music, but you don't see me calling it "mindless hick drivel".

Why not? It's a worthy definition.

[Majikthise]

Japan rules.

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by nutshell

So you streotyped Japanese pop music based on the music choices of one person?

Yep. Pretty much. At least I admit it.