English
One cold day
Fusako Shore Stanford Japan Center / KCJS Academic Coordinator
One cold day I was waiting for a bus. With Daimonji-yama on my right and Heian Shrine in its vivid orange in front, I watched people practicing baseball and could hear the temple bell of Nanzenji Temple in the distance. It was so peaceful that I didn't mind the crowded buses driving by. Then I realized that I couldn't enjoy these peaceful surroundings forever ― it was time to go home. As soon as I got on the bus, there was a very familiar sight. People were talking to friends, reading books, memorizing texts for exams and, of course, e-mailing (doing chat might be the right way to describe) with cellular phones. Have you noticed that there is much less cell phone ringing tones and less talking with the cell phones in buses and trains? Instead, as you well know, many thumbs are typing away a hundred words a minute. Anyway, a lady, perhaps in 30's and sitting in one of the Silver Seats, which are reserved for elderly or people with physical difficulties, caught my attention and I hoped she would give up a seat when it's needed. Then, her cell phone rang. "I am in the bus, it's okay we can talk…." "Really?!", I thought. Is it really okay to talk as if she was in her living room? I assumed that she didn't mind sharing her lunch arrangement, when, where, who contacts whom, and so on with others on the bus. Everyone continued what they were doing before the phone call, but you can imagine everyone sitting with ears pricked, like me. Her conversation went on and on. I started wondering how she teaches her children to respect public rules and space. Could she teach her children if she herself is doing this? We adults cannot blame children not having common sense or being selfish, can we? The proverb, "Children grow up watching their parents' back" came to mind. I got off the bus wondering about many things. Walking down the street, I realized that I was not in the position to criticize her at all. Even though I have no idea how to start, I am not as right as I sound if I cannot actually tell her that long conversations should wait until she gets off the bus. My reasoning sounds good enough, but without the courage to convey my message to others who might need to hear, it doesn't mean much, does it? Can I actually tell her? As we often admit, it is very easy to say something but hard to do it. My case is no exception. Maybe I should make "having the courage to convey the right message" as a rather belated New Year's Resolution. It's hard to do. But it's important. And I've got to start some time. Let's see what happens next time….