Remember how I mentioned that Japan’s beach season is short, spanning the brief 1.5-month window between typhoon season and jellyfish season? Well this is false. It’s 建前. The real reason for beach season’s brevity is because Japanese people feel like they need to set rules and deadlines for everything. When September 1st rolls around, the calendar says that Fall has arrived and Summer has gone…so obviously nobody can go to the beach anymore, right? Nevermind that the weather is still beautiful, or that the water’s still swimming pool temperature. It’s Fall! How can you possibly go to the beach? 
…Seriously. It reminds me of the first time I heard about the “Air Conditioning Rule” while studying at Ritsumeikan in 2005. At some point it was decided that there should be specific dates when the A/C is scheduled to switch on and off each year. Sounds logical enough. Except that in Japan, once a rule has been set, independent thought is no longer an option. Regardless of the weather, the A/C will turn on and off on the prescribed dates. Period. No matter what. I’ll never forget my first Summer here, watching everyone – including the teacher – sit at their desks literally dripping sweat and completely unable to concentrate. When I asked if we could turn on the A/C I was informed that the central switch wouldn’t be thrown until the following day. Only then would it be acceptable to learn productively and comfortably. Why? Because it’s the rules! Continue reading »
