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The world of Japanese snack bars

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Re: The world of Japanese snack bars

#31

Post by guessmyname »

NalNezumi wrote: post #26

My British friend that lived in Kyoto had his favorite snac bar. He was accepted as a local and even had a whiskey bottle saved for him (privilege for the regulars!) Another snac bar that he brought me to had an interesting story. The snac bar was in an apartment complex (due to Japan's funny zoning laws) at the nightlife district, could maybe fit 5-6 max. The place was filled with blues and jazz LPs! When we went th…

> […] and even had a whiskey bottle saved for him (privilege for the regulars!)

Not a privilege. Anyone can do that. They usually keep the bottle(s) for up to 3 months.

Source: I’m Japanese.

Re: The world of Japanese snack bars

#32

Post by petercooper »

tempest_ wrote: post #8

It is an interesting concept when contrasted with the disappearance of "third places" in the western world.

I got to thinking how difficult a micro business like this would be to run in the UK. You'd have council hygiene inspectors, insurance, alcohol duties, zoning limitations, music licensing, and the business rates folks all over your back for starters.

Re: The world of Japanese snack bars

#33

Post by NalNezumi »

guessmyname wrote: post #31
NalNezumi wrote: post #26

My British friend that lived in Kyoto had his favorite snac bar. He was accepted as a local and even had a whiskey bottle saved for him (privilege for the regulars!) Another snac bar that he brought me to had an interesting story. The snac bar was in an apartment complex (due to Japan's funny zoning laws) at the nightlife district, could maybe fit 5-6 max. The place was filled with blues and jazz LPs! When we went th…

> […] and even had a whiskey bottle saved for him (privilege for the regulars!) Not a privilege. Anyone can do that. They usually keep the bottle(s) for up to 3 months. Source: I’m Japanese.

Sure, but at that time, at that place, for a foreigner it was quite rare!

Source: I'm Japanese too ;]

Re: The world of Japanese snack bars

#34

Post by guessmyname »

nusl wrote: post #27

Everything is "secret" now, I guess because it works to get clicks. If you believed Youtube videos now, there's nothing that isn't either secret, rare, or the best.

Japanese “snack” bars (izakayas), are 100% not a secret to anyone, be it Japanese or foreigners who’ve visited the country at least once in their life. They are as common as street vending machines, as taxis in any major city in the world, and restaurants of any kind in any place on Earth. Don’t fall for the meme → https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/thing-japan

Re: The world of Japanese snack bars

#35

Post by qmarchi »

NalNezumi wrote: post #18
hsbauauvhabzb wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I travelled there with my same sex partner. We had zero issues in a single bed hotel room, and there were plenty of gay bars. We did find the cover charge difference for gays vs straights amusing (where gay entry was cheaper). I’m sure there are social issues, a local bartender told us they had linguistic limitations that acted as sort of barriers to expression, and I’m sure there are issues for gay youth, but as a w…

I can't find the article, but I read an article about the experience of an LGBTQ Californian that moved to Tokyo found it more friendly than US (including progressive state). The point was that in US LGBTQ is politicized. If you tell people about it, you have to either defend it (vs conservatives) or explain it (vs progressives, but with encouragement). Both got very exhausting fast for the person, even the well inte…

> In Japan, the general reaction from coworkers to landlords was へー, そうなんだ。 (oh ok, cool.) no follow up questions or prodding.

That matches my experience pretty well, including the expats living here.

Coming out to my friends was kinda relieving since we all hang out anyways, and _nothing's changed_.

Re: The world of Japanese snack bars

#37

Post by wolvoleo »

qmarchi wrote: post #24
wolvoleo wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ah I see. The thing is, I was on a work trip and the colleague I was with had been there a lot and he was constantly lecturing me about what not to do, what to wear, cover up tattoos etc. And what not to mention which was the LGBTQ topics in particular. This kinda made me feel awkward because I couldn't be myself so I basically dissociated and just went through the motions while I was there. And didn't explore much.…

JP Resident, and LGBT. The vast majority of the "rules" apply only in extreme business situations, generally in the oldest Japanese companies. Outside of that, the Japanese are extremely forgiving of those that are visiting not following _every single custom_. There's an understanding that so long as you're not disrupting the peace (being super loud, making a mess, etc) then a level of tolerance is applied. LGBT is m…

Thanks! The people were were visiting weren't actually very traditional. I had a feeling they were a lot more accepting than I was told. And I'm not a loud person ever.

Now I wish I could go back some time to really experience it :)

Re: The world of Japanese snack bars

#38

Post by ErroneousBosh »

cosmic_cheese wrote: post #14
anonymous908213 wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think LGBTQ acceptance in Japan is significantly better than any Western country. The "issue", as it manifests, is of a fundamentally different nature. Not everyone is open to it, of course, and legal marriage is not an option[1]. But while there are many people who are somewhat bigoted, Japan is not an Abrahamic country. Unlike any Christian or Islamic country, the number of people who hate LGBTQ individuals, want…

While I’m not part of that community myself, I’ve lived in Japan and have known LGBTQ people who are. In the big metros at least, as long as you’re putting forth even a little effort to follow etiquette and you’re not causing problems for others or making a nuisance of yourself, nobody pays you any mind regardless of orientation. Everybody is too busy with their own lives to go poking their noses into the lives of ot…

> as long as you’re putting forth even a little effort to follow etiquette and you’re not causing problems for others or making a nuisance of yourself, nobody pays you any mind regardless of orientation

A bit like Glasgow then.

Re: The world of Japanese snack bars

#39

Post by dismalaf »

PlatoIsADisease wrote: post #22

If only food service paid decent money. I know the majority owner of a pretty massive fast food chain (600 stores, most franchises) and he was telling me he was offered 10M to sell the company. His entire life he worked day and night, and he would be getting $3M. (Mind you, he owns dozens of franchises, so he still keeps those) He brought his kid into the business, and I can tell he has a bit of envy that I own a sma…

You act like $100k/year isn't still well above average. Hell it's above what SWEs make in any country that's not the USA.

But pertaining to this article, the key to tiny Japanese restaurants such as these snack bars is that their startup costs are extremely low, rents are low and since they're tiny, they don't need staff so they keep all the profit. Probably good enough to make an average living without too many worries.

Re: The world of Japanese snack bars

#40

Post by ghaff »

tempest_ wrote: post #25
PlatoIsADisease wrote: post #22

If only food service paid decent money. I know the majority owner of a pretty massive fast food chain (600 stores, most franchises) and he was telling me he was offered 10M to sell the company. His entire life he worked day and night, and he would be getting $3M. (Mind you, he owns dozens of franchises, so he still keeps those) He brought his kid into the business, and I can tell he has a bit of envy that I own a sma…

Sysco makes a billion a year basically doing that.

They basically deliver food--not necessarily complete meals. But, yes, a lot of restaurants use them for food delivery. Probably not at the highest end but they can be pretty decent given good food prep.
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