People in the US aren't "dependent". Many just tend to dress like slobs. They don't understand that although "high fashion" jeans and a "designer tee shirt" and a leather jacket can look really good on a tall thin young woman (especially if she's wearing "killer" shoes with high heels) - they make someone of my age and stature look like a refugee from a Hell's Angels outing. I carry a small back pack (one of the few things I bought in Tokyo during my first trip - it's sleek and I love it) when I'm out and about in a big city like Tokyo during warm weather. It contains a pair of light-weight slacks and some nice shoes that I can change into if we wind up in a restaurant that is "business casual".

For what it's worth - I save menus from a lot of my meals too. So - 10 or 20 years later - I can remember all the courses in a meal (when it comes to the truly memorable meals - well I often remember those without any prompts at all - especially if they're 4 or 5 course meals and not 20 course meals ).

I wish I was in Germany for spargelzeit now . My husband could use some German beer too! BTW - can anyone recommend any particular brands of Japanese beer my husband can try (he loves beers - especially hoppy ones). Robyn