Gas

One thing that you take for granted when you are around your native language is gas pumps.  Next time you buy gas, imagine not understanding any of the words on the pump.

Here, the gas stations vary.  Many are full service.  Simply tell them how much gas you want in liters or yen, and they'll pump it for you.  They also wipe your windows and give you a damp rag to wipe the interior of your car while the gas pumps.

Other stations are self serve.  Some of them are pay-at-the-pump and some require that you go in the office and pay.  One thing that is interesting about Japan: convenient stores are separate from gas stations.  I have no idea how there can be a convenient store on every corner, except that they are more convenient than American convenient stores (more on that another day).

When you first visit a gas station, you have no idea what type it will be.  Inevitably, whichever type you think it is, you'll be wrong.  You'll think it is self serve because none of the staff are outside, you'll hop out of your car, and then be ushered back in when an attendant rushes out.

Or, as happened to me earlier this week.  You'll think it is a pre-pay and try to put cash into the receipt slot.  The self-serve stations all have touch-screen pumps.  I know the symbol for cash, and I can read the katakana writing for credit card.  When you select the cash option, then it lists options for how much you want to pay.  I selected 5,000 yen, knowing I would get some change back.  I hit the button and tried to slide my cash in the slot.  It didn't work.  I was confused.  I tried again.  An attendant hurried over and explained that you pay afterward.  I'm sure it made that girls day.  Over dinner with her family she got to tell them about the dumb foreigner who tried to shove fifty bucks in the receipt slot.

I wish I could tell you that was the only idiotic thing I've done trying to get gas, but it isn't.  Just two weeks ago I was at a pre-pay self-serve.  I told it I wanted to put in 2000 yen worth.  I put the green nozzle in my car and...nothing happened.  How annoying.  I hit cancel, got my change and tried again.  Same thing.  Just as I was starting to get frustrated, ready to get my change and leave, an attendant came over and pointed out that I had the wrong nozzle.  Thank goodness there is always someone around to witness me acting like a moron.

In retrospect, maybe the problem isn't with the language barrier or the gas pumps...