Interesting Tidbit: Convenience Stores

Over a month ago I made a list of things I loved about Japan. Right on top of that list, the first thing I could think of, were Japanese convenience stores - or combini as they're called here. No, seriously. You just don't understand how freaking awesome they are.

7/11. Lawson. Family Mart. Sunkus. Circle K.
Some of these you recognize as existing in other countries, but in Japan, they've long since claimed their own independence by buying themselves free from their foreign owners. They're the first thing I'll miss if I ever leave Japan for a long period of time. Hell, I miss them when I leave Japan for a short amount of time. Shit, I walk into a convenience store at least once a day. Wanna know why?

1. To Get Some Cash
Combinis have ATMs, and I can't be assed to look for a bank every time I need to make a withdrawal.

2. To Get Some Food
 Unlike their American counterparts, convenience store food in Japan is actually pretty good, packed in cheap priced lunch sets that are fresh of the day. Of course, they also sell snacks in abundance. I probably eat something or another from a convenience store once a day.

3. To Take a Dump
Combinis have public bathrooms. In a pickle? Walk in, do your thing, walk out. No one's gonna look at you weird, you don't need to buy anything, you don't need a key or some retarded thing like that.

4. To Read Comics
Well I don't really get a chance to do this because I'm still illiterate. But lots of people just go straight for the magazine rack and spend their dead time reading the comic books. There's also, always, without fail, a section dedicated to porn.

5. To Pay My Bills
Combinis also offer a service where you can just walk in with your bills (electric, gas, water, etc) and just pay them off right there, with cash money. I personally find it to be the easiest way to pay mine.

Now that's what I call convenient.