opinios

Culture Shock

My first week back in Melbourne still required a bit of cultural adjustment. We had been in Cairns for about three weeks, but Cairns sure ain't as big a place as Melbourne.

Kim went off to the Sarah McLauchlan concert so I caught up with some friends at a bar in the city. And immediately upon entering I was reminded of how much I missed quiet Japanese izakayas.

It's not like I had a bad time. But why do bars in Australia have to play such loud, thumping music? Yes, this sounds like a pathetic whinge but I just don't get it. I was having to shout to my friends to carry on a discussion with them. I think I lost about 5 kilos from the workout my throat muscles got. These after-work social hubs are all so crowded and smokey and sleazy, I don't understand why the atmosphere is replicated everywhere you go. I must confess I found it a bit intimidating - I thought adjusting to Japan when I first got there was tough.

But at least there was one moment when I felt like I was back home.

My fish-out-of-water anxiety was lifted when, in a city of 3 million, from across the room someone actually recognized me and yelled out "Hey Matty!"

Of course, it would have helped if I had remembered the bloke's name. But still, it was nice to be remembered after being out of town for so long. Nigel G, if you are reading this: thanks for lifting my ego by saying g'day. You haven't changed a bit (except that the last time I saw you, the bar was much sleazier).

And if you hadn't reminded me of your name I would have remembered it eventually. Honest!