[jasonbvr]

Everything is relatively up to date in Japan and modern.
You don't have that funny feeling of living in a communist country (however I was in Beijing which is a lot different than other cities on this issue).
You feel safe. Unafraid that any minute the train will derail or that the night club is going to catch fire and you will be locked upstairs so that people on the ground floor can escape first.
China-bottled water is more expensive than beer.
Japan-beer is more expensive than water. (Strangely enough more expensive than liquor as well.)
No one approaches me as I walk past alleys in Tokyo asking me if I want pirated DVD's as though they were selling cocaine.
My pedals have not fallen off my bike, the chain has yet to snap and my hanble bars have never broke in half even though I've had my bike for months now.
I can drink tap water rather than calling the deliverly guy for a new jug.
I can heat my apartment when I get cold rather than having to wait for a certain time of the month when the entire building's heating will be turned on.
I can cross the road without fear of being ran over by crazy taxi drivers.
When I walk by the park in the morning, I don't see a bunch of people swinging swords around for exercise.

I'd come up with more but its time for lunch...