yeah. without being an apologist for actions that i didn't experience, what popped in to my head reading the story was that maybe the shopkeeper didn't take too kindly to brash young americans looking for hot deals on keirin parts. after all, keirin is pretty much japan's national sport, huh? japan is a heavily nationalist culture, if i'm not mistaken, and maybe br995's and deathare's behavior - benign as it may seem - is an unwelcome and all-too-often source of frustration.

i'm not saying that's what happened, or that's how that interaction played out. it's just one of several possible scenarios that went through my mind when i read it.

it's also a reminder to me that sometimes, when i'm just doing my thing, i can be disrespectful, without knowledge or intention. it's a reminder to check my behavior, look for where other people are, and frequently, to follow their lead - to take cues about how to perform the whole When In Rome thing.

doesn't excuse anybody being a jerk, but it might explain it.

edit: isotopesope - yeah...