I had learnt of this when I was still in Aichi but reminded again today when the cable guy came over to do a test on my connection and tried to sell cable and satellite TV with cable Internet to me. I decided against it even though they offered free set-up, ￥15,000 cash rebate to cover my contract termination with NTT (my current Internet Service Provider) and a set-up on the same day with no interruption to my Internet service. The good part is that using cable, I could hide the modem behind the TV so it looks less messy unlike the current state of my room but it costs around ￥1,000 more a month though it includes TV. But why would I want to trade that for a slower Internet connection when I’m currently using fibre optic? And why would I pay more to watch American TV when I really want to get better at Japanese?
What put me off the most was that the above promotion is only available if I decide right away. Calling them on a different day would mean I get none of those and have to pay around ￥35,000 more. No to despicable marketing strategies. But I have great respect for the people here because they don’t do hard-selling. If I say no, they say ok and don’t try to convince me further. That’s what I love about Japan.
So, that’s me, writing a lot more than necessary and drifting away from topic. Let’s get back! At the end of the check, I declined the offer but I had to sign on a piece of paper as proof he checked my room (I just hope it wasn’t a scam since I didn’t read the paper carefully). When I signed the way I did in Singapore, the guy was shocked and only after a few seconds, realised I wasn’t Japanese.
I never get why signing means writing your name here in Japan because, what’s the purpose of signing when it can be easily imitated since anyone else can write your name, but that’s how things work here.
So, writing off now. I mean, signing off now. I mean, ah… whatever.
