'Excuse me, I'd like to rob you please'

Mainichi Shimbun ^ | 06/22/2002

[dighton]

ASHIKAGA, Tochigi -- A man armed with a knife walked into a convenience store here, politely asked the attendant for money, then apologized as he fled with 30,000 yen, police said.

Investigators said the assailant entered the store at about 1:35 a.m. on Saturday. After approaching the 34-year-old attendant at the counter, he threatened him with a knife, saying, “Excuse me, I’m terribly sorry but my company has gone bankrupt, so please give me some money.”

The attendant handed him 30,000 yen from the cash register, which the man snatched before fleeing on a bicycle. As he left the store he said, “Sorry about all this.”

There were no customers in the store at the time, and the attendant was not hurt, police said.

Investigators said the man appeared to be aged in his 50s. He was reportedly about 165 centimeters tall and had short grayish hair.

© 2002 The Mainichi Newspapers Co.

[southern rock]

Well, I've always heard the Japanese were polite.

[petuniasevan]

30,000 yen? That won't last long. Only $247.

What's he going to do for a regular income?

I know! He can get caught, go to jail, and write a book bemoaning his fate and the mean-spirited corporation that DROVE him to the criminal life...

[southern rock]

I know! He can get caught, go to jail, and write a book bemoaning his fate and the mean-spirited corporation that DROVE him to the criminal life...

Not the Japanese style. In Tokyo, a crowd of people will stand at a red light indefinately, without crossing the street, despite the fact that there isn't a car coming for miles, simply because it is the law. It is an indescribeably different culture. It doesn't even shock me that this guy apoligized before robbing the store.

[boris]

" In Tokyo, a crowd of people will stand at a red light indefinately, without crossing the street, despite the fact that there isn't a car coming for miles, simply because it is the law."

Note the behavior of certain men in crowded subway cars in Tokyo, who take advantage of the press of bodies to 'grope' young women. Authorities tried everything they could think of to prevent it, even making special cars for women. To no avail--the 'molesters' simply ignored the signs and entered the 'womens' cars'.

Then there is the matter of strange Japanese behavior in elevators, as documented in a previous issue of the Journal of Mundane Behavior, click here for your viewing pleasure.

--Boris

[boris]

Oh alright. Here's the Direct Link to the Japanese Elevator story.

[altair]

In Tokyo, a crowd of people will stand at a red light indefinately, without crossing the street, despite the fact that there isn't a car coming for miles, simply because it is the law.

Yes and in such a fashion as to completely block pedestrian traffic. At the same time, the fashionable way to park in Tokyo is to stop (anywhere) and turn on the emergency blinkers. If you don't like the way Japanese drive, stay off the sidewalks.