woh, woh, woh… don’t kill me just yet.  <dodges incoming projectiles>  i’m just sharing a story.  ;)

so you have probably heard before that you should avoid discussing politics and religion.  especially at the dinner table.  well, when in japan you can add the colossally sensitive subject of whale hunting to that list.

the topic is always hovering around like a nebulous cloud getting ready to unleash its furry.  you’re just waiting for it to happen.  but i know better than to bring up a discussion about whale hunting because it’s a sensitive issue.  besides, you are in their turf.  these guys know karate, jujitsu, the way of the drunken monkey.  it’s just plain dangerous.

but that doesn’t mean that you can avoid it all together.  on both occasions it was japanese who brought up the topic.

and holy moly.  it was like the pacific front of WWII all over again.  since we were getting nowhere, i quickly realized that i needed to back down.  i spent most of my time nodding and listening.  their argument is founded on one main point.  drum roll……. there are too many whales in the ocean and they are eating all the fish.

<face palm>

i proposed that the real danger to fish stocks around the world are humans and over fishing.  they didn’t bite.

another point they brought up was that the States used to hunt whales as well.  whales were used for making skirts, corsets, umbrellas, and numerous other items.  i said that is true, but it doesn’t justify them killing whales today.  we know better.

besides, according to the japanese government they are eating a “science experiment”.  they looked at me very puzzled.

eventually the storm passed and a conversation deeming of drunk third graders ensued.  they mentioned that the younger generations don’t really eat whale.  they are aware of what most of the world thinks about it and they do not find the meat tasty.  the older generations like to eat whale because it apparently reminds them of their youth.  whale meat was abundant and cheap decades ago.

so in the immortalized words of GI Joe, “now you know, and knowing is half the battle.”

jeeee aiiiiii joooooooooooooe

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