[bside]

Originally Posted by Thrasher

But what about the newest trend in otaku culture. *note I did not write this it was emailed to me, plus I have never been overseas anyways.
The newest boom in otaku culture seems to be "tsundere" (TSOON-deh-reh), a word that describes girls who are cranky and quick to anger (in Japanese, tsun-tsun) on the surface, yet loving and vulnerable when it suits them (known as "dere-dere," pronounced deh-reh deh-reh).
A staple in anime and PC dating-sim games, some famous tsundere characters include
Asuka from Evangelion, Akane from Ranma 1/2, and if you ponder it long enough, Princess Leia from Empire. Like cat girls, waitress uniforms and French Maid costumes, tsundere is closely tied to the Cult of Akihabara and "moe" (mo-EH) culture that has become such a big part of modern Japanese life.
Now instead of passively watching your favorite rough-around-the-edges character in anime, you can experience her in the flesh at a
new "Tsun-Cafe" which features beautiful waitresses who insult customers,
acting frustrated when they take too long to order and yelling things like,
"Here's your coffee. Drink it quickly and get out of here, will you?" But when
it's time to leave, the girls look sad, and say, "Oniichan, I'm sorry I said
those awful things to you. You will come again, right?"
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Also a little thing to remember you should be able to use your atm card at ATM's, but make sure you remember your pin number by numbers not by letters. That might of sounded stupid but I know some people like to remember there pin number by entering a word on the keypad.

Tsundere, or ツンデレ, is actually a 4 year old word, but it was last year when it was widely recognized even by the general internet public. It's probably fair to say that it's not longer a boom, but ツンデレ is already "settled." However, there are not many ツンデレ things around any more, as compared to last year or maybe a year before when it was hottest.

Instead, I think the newest boom not only for otaku but also to general public is "erokawa," or "erotic and cute (kawaii)," 2 things that don't seem to coexist. I'll leave the further explanation to this link, as I simply don't understand this lol


As for the ATM card, yes, you can use it at some ATM's, as long as your ATM card is affiliated w/ either Plus or Cirrus. Check the back side of your card for their logos. Normal bank ATM's, however, aren't capable of handling those cards, but ATM's by Japan Postal Service, Citibank, and Shinsei Bank can. The attached pic shows the symbol for Japan Postal Service, so look for this logo when you want their ATM's. (Citibank and Shinsei Bank don't have many branch offices nor ATM's, so it's easier to look for the post office; all post officies are equipped w/ at least 1 ATM machine.) Note that some convenience stores show this logo to indicate that they sell stamps/postcards, but their ATM's won't take Plus nor Cirrus cards. Also note that some of them may display VISA logo while not displaying Plus nor Cirrus, but that's limited to Japanese issued VISA cards so yours can't be used. Always look for Plus and Cirrus logos.

Be aware that cash withdrawals will cost a lot. It depends on the banks, but when I used my ATM card from Fleet Bank of Boston, MA, I was charged $5 for the transaction, and also the VISA exchange rate was used so I was "charged" for extra 2 cents or so per dollar. It should only be used as a last resort. Not to mention if it's a VISA/Mastercard debit card also, you'll save more buy using it as a debit, if the merchant takes it.

Nevertheless, it's good to bring it if it's Plus or Cirrus affiliated. Also, unlike some other parts of the world, ATM's are safe in Japan. Very unlikely someone's gonna knock you down from behind.

Last of all, if your current PIN number isn't 4 digit, change that to 4 digit numbers before you leave. Many ATM's here can't accept any longer or shorter numbers.

[x1ang]

In Beijing, the popular tourist attractions would be Great Wall, Summer Palace, Imperial City, Ming Tombs, and several temples. The highlight of shopping is pretty much limited to the street market where you can barter (for rather non-reliable goods - fun nonetheless). Hm, the restrooms are on a star-rating system there and you should always carry a pack of tissue paper/toilet paper. Food is great - far different from American Chinese food - but less sanitary depending on where you eat. Safety wise, I would suggest keeping an eye on your valuables as there are quite a few pickpockets and avoid travelling alone (I have a family friend's son who was kidnapped by the taxi driver). Crime isn't rampant, though, but it's always better to be safe than sorry.

A good majority of times you will be haggled by street vendors (mostly selling rip-offs) if they can tell that you are a foreigner. Personally, my favorite place is Shanghai.. know if you get to stop by there?

[Aeni]

Originally Posted by tazirai

Hmm We had a small apato in Yokohama, as far as hotels there.. I'm pretty sure I can get some info, My ex-girlfriend still lives there, So I can give her a holla and have her look around. since you have sometime. She an dI still get alogn and I stay with her or friends when Me and my Daughter go back. Japan to far for a relationship haha, Hell 100 miles to far. There are some freaky hostels in tokyo, and Akihabara.
I'll get back to ya.. gotta love emails ^^

Ahh coolness. Just for that, you get 250K gil. If you're on my server.

[tazirai]

Originally Posted by Aeni

Ahh coolness. Just for that, you get 250K gil. If you're on my server.

MISSION COMPLETE: What rank am I ? and I want my GILZ.. Wheres teh Flag for my moogle ><

http://yokohama.hostelvillage.com/en/
http://www.paperlantern.net/acomo/youthhostel.html

[kuu]

Dont get suckered into anything on impulse. They'll try to charge your pockets clean like any tourist area. This is more true in Asian countries since if you look no where near asian, you're a definite target.

If you have to double zipper your wallet or something to make yourself think before you pay.

And how did this end up being an anime otaku explanation??

Really if you're looking for those things, it's really only in the big city areas like any place with pop culture.

Though tokyo city is pretty easily accessible with their massive train system.

I think Tsundere been around for a lot longer then 4 years. It came from renai games, or romance games, and we had that for a good long time. It was probably helped with manga sounds words as tsun-tsun used in puffs of steam effects, and deredere with the cute eye look effect.

[Maju]

Originally Posted by kuu

I think Tsundere been around for a lot longer then 4 years. It came from renai games, or romance games, and we had that for a good long time. It was probably helped with manga sounds words as tsun-tsun used in puffs of steam effects, and deredere with the cute eye look effect.

That would be correct. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsundere

[Aeni]

Originally Posted by tazirai

MISSION COMPLETE: What rank am I ? and I want my GILZ.. Wheres teh Flag for my moogle ><

http://yokohama.hostelvillage.com/en/
http://www.paperlantern.net/acomo/youthhostel.html

Yay, thanks. I'll check it out. Why is that second link full of relationship ads though?

[tazirai]

Originally Posted by Aeni

Yay, thanks. I'll check it out. Why is that second link full of relationship ads though?

She's my ex... and she wants me to come back often...
quite often..

[Aeni]

Originally Posted by tazirai

She's my ex... and she wants me to come back often...
quite often..

Would she be known as a "safe mistress" ?