This is an old, old civilisation and there are polished, well worn ways of doing things. The practice of daily life is highly organised, structured. There are ways that things are done, and they are done because that’s the way you do it.

Take match making/ couple-creation; there is a special word for the act of young people going out in a group where the numbers of un-partnered men and woman are carefully matched; a “date” usually organised by a couple; a boy inviting his single boy friends and a girl her unmatched girl friends. No one pretends this is an accidental event, rather, it is a consciously, collectively agreed upon method of interaction- it has it's own special label.

Such an old culture with these hardened, concretised “strata” of rituals and repeated practices does have certain advantages. It demands that people hold a type of respect and politeness toward each other that makes living just a little more pleasant; respectful drivers that wait patiently at the pedestrian crossing, the “event” of even the smallest purchase.

As I buy a 100 yen carton of orange juice I am treated to a ritual of exchange; careful packaging in a bag, a straw neatly added, a bow and profusion of thanks.