Here's a comment from my controversial post about Japanese Technology that I thought was worth bringing attention to:


Comment from: burned_out_in_Japan [Visitor]
Top Ten Reasons Why There Are No Smoke Detectors In Japan.


1. We don't make smoke detectors here in Japan.


2. There are no smoke detectors in Japan because Japanese smoke is different.


3. Putting a smoke detector in your Japanese house shows a lack of confidence in your contractor; you wouldn't want him to lose face.


4. If your guests smoke enough Mild 7s, they'll set one off and that would be embarrasing to your smoking guests, not to mention Japan Tobacco.


5. It's your duty to endure. Your grandparents handled B-29s and firestorms you spoiled overprivileged young pansies!


6. Aaaah! What's that #$%$^& noise!? If the neighbors hear it, they'll be disturbed and we'll lose face! It's bad enough that they can hear me flush the toilet!


7. If we can detect the smoke, we might just find out who burned down the building. That would be most regrettably unfortunate for them, or us, especially if it's a member of our group. It's better that we don't know.


8. I have a really big insurance policy on this place-- more than the building's worth! Actually, I hope somebody burns it down so I can finally pay off the 100 year mortgage that I took out in 1989.


9. I'm rarely home because I have to commute so long and work so long and talk it up in hostess bars. Only my wife and children really use the place. And, well, they're just my wife and children.


10. I like to tease the gaijin about how backward and unnatural their countries are. It's only fair that they have one little thing to answer back.