Osaka folks

Now, despite the idea that most Japanese are sober, strict disciplinarians who are always formal and polite, you will find plenty of easy going folks in Osaka - the former capital of Japan. Osakajin have always been in a sort of tug-of-war with Tokyojin - which shows itself in how everything in Osaka is directly the opposite of Tokya.

Take for example riding an escalator. If you find yourself in Tokyo - or for that matter, any part of conservative Japan, you will find everyone standing on the left side of the escalator which is moving in the direction they want to go. But not so in Osaka - people stand on the right side of the escalator!

Contrary to how quiet one finds Tokyo trains, Osaka trains are filled with people chattering at the non zero decibel levels. Baseball or football matches between the two cities are almost like Indo-Pak matches.

What gets you is the easy going nature of the average Osaka citizen - they love making jokes (though some are bizarre but yet totally hilarious acts of Matsui Sumitani!) and are far more open to foreigners than the average Japanese.

To end this post - if you are ever in Osaka - then you can try this out (but note - ONLY in Osaka - anywhere else you will definitely be considered to be mental!). Walk down the road - and pretend to shoot with an imaginary gun or stab an oncoming Osakan with a Samurai blade. If you thought you were good at shocking people like that, you will be more than shocked when the Osakan reels and falls down at your feet [;)] - supposedly dead! And the above bit of advice will work - no matter how many times you try!!