1. Japanese Barbers are great.

    A quick transcript of the conversation I had with my barber just as I was about to leave:

    Barber: Do you have an umbrella?
    Me: No, is it raining? (look outside, it's not)
    Barber: Ah, wait a second
    Barber runs off through the back, comes back with an umbrella.
    Barber: Please, take this.
    Me: But it's not raining.
    Barber: Ah, but it might.
    Me: No, really, it's okay, I live just round the corner.
    Barber: (looking sad) Please? You don't even need to bring it back.

    I took the umbrella. He also gave me a hairbrush.