Drunken Guy and More Police
On the way home tonight, I saw a man lying in the corner of an intersection. I went past at first, but thought better of it and turned around. I stopped my bike near him and asked if he was alright. He was clearly drunk and I could smell the alcohol on him from a few feet away. He kept falling over into the street, and kept pulling himself back up using a guy wire for a utility pole.
After a few minutes, he pulled out a cell phone and called someone, presumably for help. Satisfied, I went to the nearest police box whose location I knew and reported it, then got a couple of numbers to call in the future.
To top it off, they were all impressed with my Japanese (not actually a good sign), seemed to think I was super-cool because I had both a cell phone and a radio, and I got some good info about an electronics shop for my trouble.
I'm still a little worried about the old man on the side of the street, but he looked plenty well off and I imagine the police will stop by there soon if they haven't already. I think most of their job here is dealing with drunks, so...
After a few minutes, he pulled out a cell phone and called someone, presumably for help. Satisfied, I went to the nearest police box whose location I knew and reported it, then got a couple of numbers to call in the future.
To top it off, they were all impressed with my Japanese (not actually a good sign), seemed to think I was super-cool because I had both a cell phone and a radio, and I got some good info about an electronics shop for my trouble.
I'm still a little worried about the old man on the side of the street, but he looked plenty well off and I imagine the police will stop by there soon if they haven't already. I think most of their job here is dealing with drunks, so...
posted by William at
12/24/2008 01:00:00 AM
8 Comments:
Wow, Will. You have had more adventures with the police here than anyone I know or have heard about. You'll be friends with all of them by the time you head back to the states. Heheh.
Aw, you're such a sweetheart. I agree; you should become friends with all the police officers. Maybe you could get a hat out of it.
That would be cool. I totally want a Kyoto Police cap!
Well, unarmed they're not going to be good for much else. Possibly directing traffic or looking impressive in shopping establishments.
I agree, you should try to loot a cap.
The cops that wander around in pairs - especially at night - are usually armed with revolvers. They either won't tell me or don't know anything about their weapons, such as caliber or commonality. I wonder if there's a standard round that everybody uses, or if it's standardized on a neighborhood or city or regional level. It's Japan, so it's going to be standardized in some way.
There are special rent-a-cops that don't have any weapons at all that guard malls and schools and such.
But how to get a hat?
Rent-a-cops...heheh. That is a funny name for them. I was thinking that sort of thing about all those police in Kurama at the fire festival.
The police men in Okinawa carry the big twirly sticks. They use them at their traffic stops and such. They Police men stand on the side of the road (yes stand) and just point to your car. That means pull over. If you try to drive by, they whack your windshield with the twirly stick and get on the radio! Crude, but effective.
Of course the police in Germany carry Uzi's...I don't want to know what they do if you refuse to pull over. :0(
Of, and they drink beer during lunch...Uzi's at their side. (That's the German police, not Japanese!)
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