Awkward Moments, Part 2

Maybe you noticed Awkward Moments Part 2 was missing.  I never published it.  Well sit back and get ready to laugh at my misfortune and numbskullery.

In Japan, convenience stores really are just convenience stores.  In America they usually are associated with gas stations.  Not here.  They are distinct things.  Here you don't even get out of your car to get gas.  You tell them how many liters you want and while they pump it, they hand you a damp washcloth to wipe down your dash.

Convenience stores really are convenient.  Here utility bills have a little bar code on them.  You can take them to the nearest convenience store and pay them there.  It rocks.  No stamps. No envelopes.  Just show up with cash, the bill, and grab some Doritos, and you are on your way.

Most men don't wear shorts, but Kelli and I go running in shorts.  One day we decided to run to the nearest convenience store to pay a a couple of bills.  I counted out the cash.  I needed some coins so I went in the other room and grabbed them.  I dropped the coins in the envelop with the bills, and away we went.

One more piece of context before I go further: Japanese clerks and waiters are very polite as a rule.  They are always helpful and usually apologize for your mistakes for you.  Here, the costomer is always right.  Okay, back to the story.

We got to the store (Sunkus, pronounced "sanks" which is their approximate pronunciation of "thanks") and I pulled out the bills.  I'm sure we stuck out.  Not only are we white, but we were sweaty and wearing running clothes.  I handed the clerk the bills and he scanned the first one.  I looked in the envelope and I realized I had left the cash on the table when I went to get the coins!  I gestured to the clerk to stop and I apologized (I'm sorry, gomennasai) and asked him to cancel the transaction.  He just stared at me.  He never said a word.

We ran home, grabbed the cash, and ran back.  This time he scanned both bills and when I saw the total I realized I had forgotten to carry the one when I had added the bills!  I apologized again and asked him to cancel one bill.  Again, Mr. Stony-face did as I asked.  We ran home again, got the cash, and then did what any man would do.  We went to a different convenience store.

The lady at Family Mart was much more sympathetic.

Awkward moments are just part of travel.