Alexander's

Since I’ll be leaving soon, but still want to stay in touch with the japanese language and culture I decided it was time to buy some more advanced culture books in Japanese, that I could still understand. No problem Japan has huge second hand bookstores where you can buy any Manga¹ you could ever dream of for next to nothing.

So off I went to Akihabara to one of the biggest book off. There you get the chance to indulge yourself in six floors of used books, video games and Anime. After five minutes in the store I noticed my first problem.

How are books ordered in this maze of small pathways and shelves that nearly reach up to the ceiling? Whom do I ask for assistance? One of the customers? The guy who is staring at pictures of some very curvy half naked schoolgirls fleeing from some Monster? The girl that is leafing through a comic that describes the massacre committed by a bunch of high school girls, after they got mistreated?

Maybe the shy girl in the long skirt that is slowly wandering the hallways with a distracted look, a staple well selected books in her hand. Yes the one just picking up the hardcore porn Manga — well maybe not that one.

I just want to buy 東京大学物語 — the story of the University of Tokyo.

Maybe the clerk can help. I tower a head higher than most of the people her and still he manages to see right past me. Seems like the only chance left are the guys from my lab. 15 minutes later two of them are standing infront of me — smiling like a white shark in front of Amity beach.

大将、何かおすすめは？²

For some reason the guys in the lab always know exactly what I’m are looking for, can tell me were to find it, know the best parts, but would never do or by something like this themselves. After a year in a Japanese lab you will notice that the guys in the lab always have a secret personal history and you should never ask about this!

The good thing about this recommendation system is that whatever you get is not your fault. Should the professor come in and see you with a staple of 「ふたりエッチ」 you can always say:

I know nothing
It’s none of my business
Only Taisho is wrong

This is the way to save one’s own face and at the same time be able to enjoy a variety of special books, while the guys have one more fun story about the crazy Gaijin and get to read some books they would otherwise never dare to touch — unlike the schoolgirls in these venues.

Oh well the only thing left to say now is:

じゃぁ、甘いよ大将！