"Eric Takabayashi" <etakajp@yahoo.co.jp> wrote in message

> > I didn't say trash. I said perfectly working items: household
> > appliances, books, furniture and clothing.
>
> What people put out for collection as trash is "trash", no matter what it
may be. I
> am not using the negative connotation of "trash". Japanese put out some
incredible
> things, things they would prefer to throw away, than sell, recycle, or
give to
> people who may have a use for them.

What if recycling was the job of most homeless in certain places (here for
instance)? What if most people considered homeless in equality with other
non-homeless people in the recycling business ? What if that was their way
to be kind to let stuff nicely packed with explanatory notes about how to
use the stuff or what part is broken ?

You have probably noticed how proud many Japanese people are and how
reluctant they can be to accept presents (outside the ritual futile present
exchange game), tips, help, etc. That you have to pretend you need to get
out at the next station to make people accept a seat in the train without
feeling embarassed, that you have to tell your friends (when you know they
have financial difficulties) you really need to get rid of excess of food
you've cooked or useful objects you have in double or triple. People are not
like that in Hiroshima? Possible. In Osaka, they are. I've always had
friends in bad fortune, and in my place -no matter what our reputation is-
the tradition is to make invitations and presents when you're the fortunate
one, and accept them when it's the contrary. Sharing the bill at restaurant
or for a party is not so common, presents are not "paid back"so there are
many ways to help discretely without seeming to be Lady Di on a distribution
tour. Unlike here.

I don't do that often (I'm not kind and never pretended the contrary), but
I've invited homeless or very poor people to chat in a coffee shop. I invite
other people I find friendly, so why making a difference with them ? And
what happened is they wanted to pay their share, if not everything, as they
have their pride and like all guys of my father's age, they don't feel well
when they see a girl paying for them at the cafe. In China, I have even
provoked more embarassing situations. Because I was a visitor there, people
that really live of nothing organised a real feast for me, to give back a
modest invitation to share a cup of tea and donuts, and they accepted
nothing in return but a few photos, saying foreigners are guests and I
should invite foreigners in my place as gratitude. Being poor is not
begging.
I am not sure homeless need more material help than respect. If I were sure
the lack of food was the only thing, I'd bring systematically my leftovers
of food to homeless, like I was doing with my pigs. But they are not pigs.

Everybody around me is aware of the existence of homeless. 2 or 3 assholes
think society have to get rid of them, the society reciprocally thinks the
same about the 2 or 3 assholes. For the rest, people are sincerely sorry for
the infortunates, but that doesn't mean they find your way to help them
(charity from strangers) is adequate. It's not unlikely they'd follow you if
there was another way. My impression is in Japan, that's more complicated to
"give" as not everybody is in position to invite/make presents to everybody,
but you can rarely find people of a certain income/age that don't help
anybody. A number of jobs/baitos are completely useless and maintained to
avoid pushing more people into poverty. A number of old little shotengai are
completely uncompetitive but are maintained because of community spirit. I
have heard gaigins that can't get that criticising people that buy
vegetables or anything in little markets rather than cheaper supermarket or
100yen shops, prefer made-in-Japan overpriced produce, etc. They don't say
what all the people that do uneconomical jobs will become if things get
"rational". I wonder where is the real kindness. All that to say your rant
about society and those in power doing nothing is unfair.

Do we live in the same Japan ? Here, the change of rules that allowed the
opening of more modern supermarkets and massive imports from China have
brought a really tragedy for the class of people living/surviving of little
businesses. That pushed thousands of old people in the streets of Osaka. The
area where I live has really changed. I can buy my food 1/3 of the price
that used to be 6 years ago...and I don't do it, I'm not saving money for
after my death and it's sad enough half of the mom-and-pop businesses of the
area have disappeared. I have already witnessed the death of my hometown.
Frankly, it's easier to maintain than to try to rebuild later with charity
and public money. I prefer paying a cup of coffee or takoyaki 500 yen today
than giving 300 yen in tax for social support + 300 yen in charity tomorrow.
Japan has been idiot to obey the American ultimatum on foreign trade a few
years ago.

> There is no need for me to deflect attention from my argument or myself.
And the
> fact remains it is I helping strangers downtown with my time and money my
family
> should be using, not other people who have the means to make a real
difference such
> as providing aid or jobs.

I have followed your posts about the homeless near your place, that's nice
that you give them useful things and they can accept them from you.
Still, I have a question. That's not a criticism, but curiosity. Why do you
do that on your own instead of joining the Japanese volunteer associations
that help homeless ? They don't want you ? You think they don't do a good
job ?

CC