Canada vs. Japan

I have realized that I have not been the best blogger. I have been in Japan more than 4 months now and so I have experienced so many new things. It's been quite an enlightening experience and this is not reflected in my blog. Nonetheless I want to keep blogging since I appreciate everyone who has read it and commented about it.

So I have actually been pretty popular here and given several speeches to junior high school student, senior citizens, english groups, etc about Canada. In these speeches I often speak about the differences between the two countries. I thought maybe I could list some of those differences for those who are curious:

• Lots of bikes and bikers (including me) but no helmets
• No garbage cans but the streets are very clean somehow
• Grammatically incorrect english is rampant
• No central heating (for eco reasons)
• People drink alcohol in TV commericals
• Smoking is allowed pretty much everywhere
• The government TV channel (i.e. CBC equivalent) is mandatory and you must pay for it although most people don't since they feel it is corrupt
• Service is much much better
• Transit is also infinitely better
• Underwear is called Pants
• Clothes are dried outside (no dryers)
• No dishwashing machines either
• No tipping and much lower tax
• People show no emotion in movie theatres and don't leave until the credits are over
• Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert Deniro commericials
• Infidelity is a lot higher here
• Curry is not spicy (good for me)
• Cannot use cell phone on train or subway
• Lots of TV shows about fishing and eating
• Lots of educational TV shows