January 24, 2000
Manners in Japan

During my first trip to Japan, I was taken to a local restaurant. I had been counseled to try everything on my plate so as not to insult my Japanese hosts. They, in turn, were told to be patient with my American mannerisms. Therefore they said nothing as I crunched my way through a tasteless wafer served with my meal. Later I realized we had all taken the advice too far: I had eaten a coaster.