Japanese ant people [Archive] - Okinawa Japan Forum

TheNoNamedOne

12-13-2007, 06:32 PM

It had been years since I have been to Tokyo, but arriving there last week and moving with the swarming masses within their subterranean world of tunnels, along with all their scurrying back and forth within those underground stations, I have to admit that that society seems like an ant colony and the people rather ant-like.

Not very humanizing to say the least -- hence the metaphore.
http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/56/60/22866056.jpg
http://www.phototravels.net/tokyo/tokyo-p/tokyo-6-street-p-122.3.jpg

Just a swarm of people everywhere -- well, kinda like a swarm of ants.

But, I was happy to see most of them as a swarm dutifully knew how to use an escalator.

ryukyuboi

12-13-2007, 06:35 PM

Aren't there laws that govern escalator use in mainland Japan?

12-13-2007, 06:51 PM

Is it much different in New York City or other high density major cities?

I know what you mean, but I actually kind of enjoyed this last time I was in Tokyo. Okinawa is so laid back. For me, it feels good to see that kind of rush sometimes.

I like Osaka a whole lot more than Tokyo though.

But, I definitely like Kyoto, Nara, and other scenic places the best.

TheNoNamedOne

12-13-2007, 06:56 PM

Yeah, I know what you are saying, dk. When I was younger living in that area it didn't bother me. I guess I was an ant that just didn't know I was an ant.

Perhaps getting away from it and aging is what has made me feel the metaphor is accurate (and yes even other places could claim the metaphor, too).

Bones

12-13-2007, 07:03 PM

I kind of fell in love with Sapporo, and Hakodate, the last time we were over here. Both up in Hokkaido.:first::first::first:

NBTP

12-13-2007, 07:11 PM

I'm with you in some aspects though, TP. I HATED walking around Tokyo subway stations with a short wife. Mine's like 5 feet tall. If she drifts away even a tiny bit, I feel abandoned!

TheNoNamedOne

12-13-2007, 08:02 PM

I'm with you in some aspects though, TP. I HATED walking around Tokyo subway stations with a short wife. Mine's like 5 feet tall. If she drifts away even a tiny bit, I feel abandoned!

Freakin funny! "If she drifts..."

Maybe the other ants were carrying her away to another colony to become a worker slave. Yikes!!!