ruffas

Bench with a box that slides left and right that was used to slice ___?

(Everything I said was in Japanese; everything "Tanaka-kun" [generic Japanese name] said was in his best English.)

I was at a used goods store to buy a Nintendo Switch and the person at the counter took one look at me (I'm whiter than rice on a paper plate in a snowstorm) and said, "Get Tanaka-kun, he speaks English."

I said, "I want that one," pointing at one that had all the bits and no scratches.

He said, "Okay," got all the bits, and said, "This way, please," gesturing to the duty-free counter.

I told him that I can't do duty-free because I live in Japan, but he gestured harder, so I just follow him.

We get to the duty-free counter and he tells the clerk there to ring up my stuff. C

Not me, but a Chinese student of mine, which shows that this seems to be an international phenomenon.

My student (Student) was working at a milk tea shop when she got one of those customers (Customer).

Customer: I'd like a milk tea, but hold the tea.

Student: But...milk tea has two ingredients, milk and tea.

Customer: Exactly. I'd like a milk tea, but without any tea.

So Student gave Customer exactly what she asked for, a cup of milk, which she accepted happily.

Customer: This is exactly what I asked for, thank you! Have a nice day.

Seems like it would have been easier to ask for a cup of milk, but as long as she's happy with what she got...

Edit: many people have asked about the c

Take shaving for example. Shaving with a straight razor and old-timey shaving soap is more time-consuming, but gives you a much better shave than modern canned shaving gel and the latest n-blade razor.

What else hasn't improved/gotten worse with time?

I've just moved here to start work next month. I'm a fairly avid knitter, and was wondering where to buy yarn here. Yarn shops, general craft stores, etc.

A friend of mine from Japan is going to be doing a study abroad in Seattle in March. What places should she visit, what are some cool activities, etc.