A peek inside Japan's largest “Dagashi” store

Post by bombcar » Tue, May 30, 2023, 1:17 PM UTC

liotier wrote: post #54

midoridensha wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>On the other hand, when we have taken friends to the places we like that are far more laid back, at least one person has commented on how the service is "poor" or "inattentive." This is the problem. Most American diners actually want the server to act like their best friend and constantly interrupt them. People like you are a minority. >Foodservice in Europe, broadly, is one of those amazing but unexpected things I…

> Most American diners actually want the server to act like their best friend and constantly interrupt them Seriously ? Don't Americans see how fake it is ? The French waiter does its job curtly and efficiently, neither him nor I pretend we are fond of each other and that is perfectly fine.

Post by xrd » Tue, May 30, 2023, 1:41 PM UTC

creamyhorror wrote: post #8

It's always bittersweet when I visit Japan and come across old establishments or traditions that an ageing proprietor or volunteers are trying to keep going. You can see the love and spirit they have for it, but it often looks like something too disconnected from the interests of young people and the vicissitudes of the changing economy to survive for much longer. A kissaten (old-style cafe) owner in Nagasaki who sha…

Post by porknubbins » Tue, May 30, 2023, 2:00 PM UTC

xrd wrote: post #73

creamyhorror wrote: post #8

It's always bittersweet when I visit Japan and come across old establishments or traditions that an ageing proprietor or volunteers are trying to keep going. You can see the love and spirit they have for it, but it often looks like something too disconnected from the interests of young people and the vicissitudes of the changing economy to survive for much longer. A kissaten (old-style cafe) owner in Nagasaki who sha…

I'm curious why you say interest in Jazz is waning. I went to the Tower Records in Shibuya and saw a live jazz performance a few months back, and it was magical. That's anecdotal, but I would love to know if tastes are shifting truly and why.

Post by awongh » Tue, May 30, 2023, 2:12 PM UTC

wrp wrote: post #47

makeitdouble wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. A seldom discussed aspect of this is the ability to open a business in a residential area. Many of these small self-owned shop are the first floor of a house or building, and more often than not the owner lives upstairs, so it's less of an issue to keep it open with low frequentation as they're no paying extra rent or suffering hours of transit to get there. That also tremendously helps with the community aspect…

I lived in Tokyo and it was years ago, so I don't know if I'm describing the current situation. It was very common to see largish buildings in residential areas which would have some barely functioning retail shop on the ground floor. Some elderly relative of the building owner would maintain the shop, and would have practically nothing to do since the shop got almost no business. I heard the whole motivation for thi…

Post by smabie » Tue, May 30, 2023, 2:17 PM UTC

zelphirkalt wrote: post #31

> When asked about the future of the business, Hideyuki says he has no intention of doing business (in pursuit of profits) at all. He believes businesses exist to serve society and contribute back to people in the community. That they make profits are merely a side effect and that somewhere along the line the side effect became the main goal. If only more had his insight.