Text - Anonymous

[foolishjustice]

I have a question, that...you'll probably understand my reasons for posting anonymously once you finish reading.

The local culture is very open and laid back about sexual interest. It's different as hell from my own home, where men who show sexual attraction are viewed as disgusting perverts and assumed to be dangerous, while people don't even fucking think about women having an interest in sex beyond wanting to have children. Some of the posts I've seen here would get everyone involved labeled sexual deviants for the shit they talk about in the open.

My question is, how do people adapt to it? I'm here doing my damn best to keep my mind out of the gutter because I've been taught thinking about anyone you don't want to date like that is disrespectful as hell and fucking creepy, but then I turn around and see people openly asking for hookups or rating each other's asses, and instead of people calling that shit skeevy, they either go along with it or treat it like a funny joke.

I know it's not prudishness, believe-you-fucking-me, my life would be easier if I was just naturally shy or reserved or whatever. It's an extreme form of culture shock, and I wish I didn't end up feeling like a dick constantly over the kinds of mental images I get from both the way people act in public around here and some of the things the prismals hand out as fucking party favors.

Comments

Private

[foolishjustice]

[There's a long while of hesitation, before he finally manages to bring himself to turn off anon.]

I'm not sure if she's told you yet, but...friend isn't quite strong enough a word anymore.

If you want really good coffee, you should look up Ren Amamiya.

Private

[tookashirototheknee]

Oh! Alright then. I'm glad she's happy. I meant it. Any friend of her, or, well, lover of hers is a friend. If she cares enough to open herself up in that way, you matter to her.

You have my word that I'll keep your secrets too. I know it's hard to come to grips with shit about yourself, and sometimes you just don't want to tell the world.

I will! Good coffee is worth its weight in moon dust.

[foolishjustice]

Thanks. I don't know how familiar you are with Japan, but...it's an incredibly reserved culture, so I'm pretty nervous about people being able to connect the things I've said here to me. Especially with how many people here are from Japan.

His coffee has actually spoiled me. Everything else tastes disappointing.

[tookashirototheknee]

I'm not that familiar, unfortunlately. One of my friends is at least part Japanese, but he's never really talked about the culture. My sympathies. Repressive cultures are just shitty. Don't worry. I won't tell anyone.

The offer of showing you space is still open if you're still interested.

I'll definitely have to bribe him into making me coffee, then.

[foolishjustice]

I'm definitely interested. I've watched a lot of sci-fi movies, so I'm curious how an actual spacefaring civilization compares.

[tookashirototheknee]

Excellent.

Let me know when you'd like to get together. My apartment isn't much, but I'll turn it into a ship.

I'll even make coffee. Not great, but it's coffee?

[foolishjustice]

Mine isn't much either, so I can't really judge. I'm still living in the one the Prismals let me rent for free.

I'm already meeting up with someone later today, so maybe tomorrow?

Unless you want more time to study coffee making before having it judged, that is.

[tookashirototheknee]

Up to you. I'm in no rush!

I'll message you my address, and you can just stop by. I really need to find something useful to do with my time. I have a tendency of being a hobo.

As long as you know my coffee is not the greatest, it's not a problem. I'll probably spend tonight studying up on pour coffee, though.