Izakaya

An izakaya is a small, local Japanese style bar. Usually very small, walking into one immediately presents you to the regulars and the staff. There is no place to hide. As a local watering hole, the whole point is to be a part of that particular izakaya's in-group.

All of which adds up to a daunting task. Do you want to become a regular, knowing it will take many visits before you are greeted warmly, instead of with disdain and teasing?

Aaron n I decided to kill some time with Jade at an izakaya near our train station. We'd been there once before, somewhat successfully fended off the stares and pointed questions. This time was a bit more interesting...

The three of us walk in, immediately exciting the barkeep and the regulars. The barkeep cannot keep his eyes off us. Out and out staring. [Note: staring is just as rude in Japan as it is in the US] Then the questions. The fun part being the drunken regulars, who were too shy to ask us directly, so used the waitresses as messengers. Upon learning that Aaron n I were hitched, they cheered and toasted their own intuition. Then the attention turned to Jade: Boyfriend? Yes- Japanese? No- ALT? Ah, all the ALTs date each other. Here's my phone number! Oh, and mine! Yes, you just said you had a boyfriend, so? Hey, wifey- don't let her throw out my number!

Interesting times at the izakayas.