Have you ever had a discussion with these ladies about the subject of men asking for FS? Almost every girl will tell you that customers REGULARLY ask for FS. I know you're all about obeying everything, keeping your head down, and knowing that not causing trouble will get you far. To an extent, it's true. I make sure to do nothing but show respect to employees and the girls. I'm never pushy, and overall everything works great for me. As foreigners we have to make sure we don't hurt our image as a whole in hopes of continuing to get service from this industry.
However, whether you like it or not, asking for FS is not overstepping any boundaries. Now, simply sticking your meatstick inside the girl, I highly advocate AGAINST that. You should always be sure it's ok with the girl before you proceed. My rule is to ask, one or twice, and if I get a no, then I stop. The worst that will happen is the girl says no and continues with what she was doing. No girl will immediately stop what they're doing and make you leave because you asked. Most won't even care you asked, there are many girls I've met who have even given me their contact details after they refused FS. Being pushy and demanding FS is what will get us in trouble though. All shops have a no FS policy, but most will turn a blind eye towards this, as long as you're not demanding FS. I can't tell you how many well established healths and deli healths I've been to that told me no less than 5 times that FS was illegal, however soon after meeting the girl I was offered FS.
It's not just the random rule breaking macho foreigners who doesn't understand the social norms that break this particular rule too. Many Japanese men will do it too. Ask the girls, the more popular girls will tell you most every man will ask for it, they'll usually follow up that they'll only do it for their special customers though. Regardless of how many special customers the girl has, the point is that FS at this point is generally left up to the girl. Hell, whether or not the girl will service you is her choice too.
Getting back on track, I don't know who your friends are Homer, but the acquaintances I know who frequent fuuzoku shops were the ones who suggested I ask girls from non-fs places for FS. I'm sure there are many Japanese customers who, like you, follow the rules no matter where they go, but there are many Japanese customers who ask for FS. Yes, we're not Japanese, we're foreigners, but we're also customers.
[QUOTE=Homer69]I believe most of the foreigners here with bad attitudes either don't understand the social norms or are, as you say, reverting back to the norms in their home country.
I don't think I've ever asked a lady for FS until she started sending smoke signals to that effect. It's actually never crossed my mind to ask. I don't even like asking them if I can put my finger in unless I know it's on the menu. I wouldn't do it because I know how much Japanese people find saying no to be distasteful. I think many foreigners don't understand this concept. I've really wanted FS from some ladies but unless you're in the old days of NK, FS at a legitimate place is definitely bad for the lady, bad for the shop and bad for you because it is technically illegal for licensed shops.
Being a macho man is not really the way Japanese men operate. If you come in acting macho it's just not worth the trouble to keep you in line. I've heard this from tencho. Often, they look at your appearance, body language, grooming and Japanese skills (if you can speak in polite Japanese or not) and make a quick call right at the door. I've had much better luck when I wear a suit as opposed to casual clothes.
I agree about the Vegas idea. They should have a book, I think it's called the Griffin Book or something like that in Vegas.[/QUOTE]
