My mother is BAKA

[Cactusjack1999]

I've been trying to go to japan for months.

She promised that if I graduated school that I could go on a trip. On her dime no less. I decided to go to Japan.

For the past month she's been trying to disuade me from going by using these very unconvincing methods

- Japan is incredibly expensive. Something like a Big Mac costs $20 because it depends on the stock market.

- There is no tourism in Japan. They don't like foreigners. Even if they have a national tourism agency.

- Japan is all business. There is no place for tourists to visit or do in japan. The whole country is skyscrapers and buisnessmen.

[APE]

Japans exchange rate is something like 100 yen : $1. You should tell her to quit being so xenphobic and throw some examples back at her like NYC is all sykscrapers and angry cab drivers, no place to eat because people are always working.

[Cactusjack1999]

Japans exchange rate is something like 100 yen : $1. You should tell her to quit being so xenphobic and throw some examples back at her like NYC is all sykscrapers and angry cab drivers, no place to eat because people are always working.

NYC is a CITY.

She's talking about the WHOLE ARCHIPELAGO of Japan.

Plus she used to work as a fashion buyer in New York City in the 70's for a department store. So she wouldn't be afraid of that analogy and would use it to strengthen her arguement.

[ServiceGames]

Tell her she's flat out wrong!! Do your research, plan a trip including accomodations and touristy locations that you would like to visit. Provide websites and printouts of tourist and location info.

What I'm getting at is that you should put together a well thought out package for her to review and ultimately say yes to.

[Cactusjack1999]

Tell her she's flat out wrong!! Do your research, plan a trip including accomodations and touristy locations that you would like to visit. Provide websites and printouts of tourist and location info.

What I'm getting at is that you should put together a well thought out package for her to review and ultimately say yes to.

well I have one already.

Doesn't matter to her.

[ServiceGames]

Wow ok.

So she honestly believes that all of the tourist info, websites, literature and travel agency trip packages are a sham?

Can you approach it from a 'visit the country side and hot spring resort approach'? People do that kind of thing in America all of the time.

[Cactusjack1999]

Wow ok.

So she honestly believes that all of the tourist info, websites, literature and travel agency trip packages are a sham?

Can you approach it from a 'visit the country side and hot spring resort approach'? People do that kind of thing in America all of the time.

The tour I want to go on is acctually a wrestling tour of japan.

Basically we'd visit Korakuen Hall, the Tokyo Dome, and some other arena and go to the wrestling shows there.

She honestly doesn't believe that I will have time to myself to do anything because there isn't a 100% set itinerary. Namely that I have to stay on this itinery or else.

And she's also worried about stuff like "What if you lose your luggage" and "No one speaks any english in Japan,, how will you function"

Honestly as well that the trip is also the furthest thing from her mind as well... She recently lost her job (the company downsized her for reason I'm not allowed to speak about. Personal and family things ya know).

So spending $3,500 to send me to japan on this tour package isn't the highest priority right now.

[GodofHardcore]

She got the it's too expensive part right. I want to take 2 friends with me but it's mad expensive.....and they're cute guys too......they might be kidnapped by Yakuza and forced to do porn.

[Cactusjack1999]

She got the it's too expensive part right. I want to take 2 friends with me but it's mad expensive.....and they're cute guys too......they might be kidnapped by Yakuza and forced to do porn.

Japan $3,500 excluding food
Spain $5,350 excluding food.

which is the least expensive?

[graciano1337]

Japan $3,500 excluding food
Spain $5,350 excluding food.

which is the least expensive?

uh...

[Cactusjack1999]

uh...

it was a rhetorical statement.

That for a 9 day vacation like I will go on is $3500...

But for a similar 9 day vacation to Spain is $5350

[GaijinPunch]

Big Mac's run like 300 or 400 yen (take it from the one guy who's not been into a Mac for years). That's less than $4. If the market fluctuated enough to make one $20, there would be a dichotomy of filthy rich and homeless peeople in this world (read: The market doesn't move that much).

Throw the safety thing at her. No way she can argue with that.

And yeah, the market right now is in your favor. $1/110 yen is considered average. It's 121-122 right now.

[Cactusjack1999]

Big Mac's run like 300 or 400 yen (take it from the one guy who's not been into a Mac for years). That's less than $4. If the market fluctuated enough to make one $20, there would be a dichotomy of filthy rich and homeless peeople in this world (read: The market doesn't move that much).

Throw the safety thing at her. No way she can argue with that.

And yeah, the market right now is in your favor. $1/110 yen is considered average. It's 121-122 right now.

A "Value Set" (with coke and fries) according to McDonalds Japan is ¥580

Or about $4.76

[cez]

I've been trying to go to japan for months.
She recently lost her job.
Japan $3,500 excluding food.


Before you call your mom dense it might be more responsible on your side to just save some money and pay for the trip on your own. As you have already found out her arguments can't be backed by facts but the costs of the trip might be why she is trying to desuade you and won't accept any "but".

[Cactusjack1999]

Before you call your mom dense it might be more responsible on your side to just save some money and pay for the trip on your own. As you have already found out her arguments can't be backed by facts but the costs of the trip might be why she is trying to desuade you and won't accept any "but".

She'd be paying the $3500 for the tour package, which includes the hotel, transportation, 3 dinners with some Japanese wrestling stars (all 3 are favorites of mine), and tickets to 3 wrestling shows over the trip.

I have about $2500 of my own money that I would be able to spend. Possibly more if I could get a better job than what I have now (nothing)

[Taucias]

Before you call your mom dense it might be more responsible on your side to just save some money and pay for the trip on your own. As you have already found out her arguments can't be backed by facts but the costs of the trip might be why she is trying to desuade you and won't accept any "but".

Agreed!

[GodofHardcore]

She'd be paying the $3500 for the tour package, which includes the hotel, transportation, 3 dinners with some Japanese wrestling stars (all 3 are favorites of mine), and tickets to 3 wrestling shows over the trip.

I have about $2500 of my own money that I would be able to spend. Possibly more if I could get a better job than what I have now (nothing)

I am SO in who are the Puro stars?

[Yakumo]

GaijinPunch, we can tell you don't go to Mc Donalds :)

Cactusjack, The most you'll pay for a set meal in Mc Donalds is under 600 yen. Normally they are 520 yen or something. They even have the 100 yen menu.

Looks like your mum needs to make up better stories :p

[Bramsworth]

At least your mother isn't paranoid about you wanting to go to Soeul because she thinks "they're in war at the moment," "it's too hot there during the summer," "you're going to stay with people you don't know," "what will you eat, I'd like to see who's going to cook meals for you!," you don't have family there!" etc..

I've been there :evil:

[cez]

No peace treaty (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_treaty) has been signed to date, technically leaving the North and South Korea at war.
She was right about that one, technically. The rest is just, well, it's what every mother would say I guess.

Edit: On-Topic: Why would you want to eat at McDonalds in Japan anyway? Bikkuri Ramen noodle soup is just 180 Yen! ;)

[Bramsworth]

Ya, there is that. But it's not like they're pointing nukes at each other any time soon, or in any state like Iraq, which is mostly what she thinks :p

[GaijinPunch]

Originally Posted by Wikipedia "Korean War"
No peace treaty has been signed to date, technically leaving the North and South Korea at war.

Same w/ Japan vs. Russia, and they bitch at each other about fish all the time. Japan definitely has the better end of the stick though, enjoying a nice population of Russian hostesses, mail-order brides, and whores.

And for the record, Japan has suffered more North Korean aggression than South Korea.

1: Missile test in 1998 (one half of a missile flew over Japan, the other half landing in the Sea of Japan)
2: Japan sinking a North Korean spy boat (forgot what year... in the 90's I think... they play it on TV here sometimes... looks like a paddle boat).
3: All sorts of cussing b/c Japan keeps giving them the finger, and tells them to go fuck themselves every time they want money since they haven't come clean on the rest of the abductees. (That's not to downplay N. Korea abducting people from other countries).

[Tachikoma]

Honestly as well that the trip is also the furthest thing from her mind as well... She recently lost her job (the company downsized her for reason I'm not allowed to speak about. Personal and family things ya know).

So spending $3,500 to send me to japan on this tour package isn't the highest priority right now.

If I was in that situation, I would turn around to my parents and say to hold onto the money until she is financially back on her feet. You can always go another time.

But as a parent, if I found out my kid was calling me stupid on the internet because I was clearly worried about my childs well being and finances because I was out of a job, I would tell him to pay for it all himself.

[ServiceGames]

Eh I'm sure he's just frustrated. That happens from time to time when you have your heart set on something and it doesn't work out.

Hopefully some sort of job will pan out and you can save like a mad man until you can make it on your own.

[GodofHardcore]

I wish my parents would send me to Japan, I've given them close to 4 grand over the last year to help pay for home renovations.....

[Cactusjack1999]

I am SO in who are the Puro stars?

Manami Toyoda
W*ING Kanemura
and Hayabusa

If you can PM me or something I can put you in touch with the guy who's doing the tour.


If I was in that situation, I would turn around to my parents and say to hold onto the money until she is financially back on her feet. You can always go another time.

But as a parent, if I found out my kid was calling me stupid on the internet because I was clearly worried about my childs well being and finances because I was out of a job, I would tell him to pay for it all himself.

1. I have been planing this since before she was fired. And yes as it stands right now the plans have all but been abandoned because of the financial situation. I'm not putting any pressure on my mom about this. I posted this because she, myself, and her sister went to a chinese buffet a few days ago and she brought it up saying that my aunt had "a friend of a friend who went to Japan and had a horrible time" and started making more and more excuses even though I've told her atleast twice that those plans are on indefinite hold untill her job situation clears up.

2. She's worried about my well being to the point of smothering. One of her arguements not to go to Japan was that if I lost my luggage she isn't a phone call or a car ride away to help me. I'm 23 years old, it's time to start cutting the cord. I am not her little baby any more and she needs to realize I am indeed going to have to leave and be on my own with out her help. She made the offer to send me to another country as a graduation present and I opted to take her up on it a week after graduation and I've been fighting her with it for a month trying to dissuade me from it and that she would rather send me to Philidelphia or Chicago instead because they are safer and if I need her I can just call and she'll hop a plane to come rescue me.

Honestly, I know calling her a fool online isnt' gonna win me any points. But damnit if she wants to act like one then calling her a fool is only speaking the truth.

[GodofHardcore]

AWWWW Shit I'd love to meet Eiji!

I have a Hayabusa mask under my bed.

[smf]

But as a parent, if I found out my kid was calling me stupid on the internet because I was clearly worried about my childs well being and finances because I was out of a job, I would tell him to pay for it all himself.

Me too, although if there are any parents out there that will pay for their kids holidays then I'll gladly put myself up for adoption. I'm off to ibiza for 7 days and it's cost me $1000 so far ( car park, flight, hotel + fully inclusive food/local drinks ). I accept cash or paypal. If someone is willing to pay my mortgage and food every month then I can give up work too ( I might need extra money for my cell phone, tv subscription etc ).

smf

[ServiceGames]

Well if you come to Philly let me know and we can meet at D&B for some arcade gaming or somehting.

[Cactusjack1999]

we've got a D&B out where I live.

Plus I don't think that Power Cards can be used at multiple locations

[Cactusjack1999]

She was right about that one, technically. The rest is just, well, it's what every mother would say I guess.

Edit: On-Topic: Why would you want to eat at McDonalds in Japan anyway? Bikkuri Ramen noodle soup is just 180 Yen! ;)

I only use the Big Mac because it's an iconic piece of america you can buy the world over

And it's something that my mother would readily recognize and know teh value of without me having to explain it for 20 minutes and she still not understand what the hell it is.

[Bramsworth]

Dude, last thing you would need I think if you DID go is her following you around. If you come up with the money yourself go alone, I sure as hell would!

[Cactusjack1999]

Dude, last thing you would need I think if you DID go is her following you around. If you come up with the money yourself go alone, I sure as hell would!

I know I know.

I want to go alone. but she keeps saying I need to go with someone for "safety"

Honestly the tour I want to go on is apparently not enough that 15 people are going on.

It's a fear that if I'm alone I'm gonna have something done to me when I'm alone....and if I go with people there's a chance they'll do something to me.

[Taucias]

At 23, I'd be paying for my own trip abroad, or picking somewhere a little cheaper than the other side of the world to take a vacation if my mother lost her job. I don't mean any disrespect to you, but it's the right and decent thing to do in this case. Have you considered back packing or maybe trying for a TEFL/JET type working holiday? Now would be a good time before you settle down and it would give you the space and freedom you sound like you need.

Some people have trouble saying no to their kids or breaking promises. She sounds like she is making lame excuses because that is exactly what she is doing, for a reason. Of course, I can't know your family history or financial situation, but $3500 isn't small change to most people.

Life is full of disappointments, but you just have to pick yourself up and try extra hard to change that into something productive and believe in your dreams and that one day they will become reality (as sappy as that sounds). Call a rain check on it or pick somewhere you will still enjoy but is more reasonable on the wallet.

[Cactusjack1999]

Guys, seriously.... This is the THIRD TIME I've had to explain this.

I AM NOT PRESSING THE ISSUE OF THE TRIP WITH MY MOTHER CURRENTLY IF NOT AT ALL!!!!!

I had hoped for this BEFORE she lost her job and accept that my mother's job situation is more important than my own agenda and AS SUCH AM NOT PRESSING ANY ISSUE FOR MY MOM TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME AT THIS TIME.

She had been saying that I shouldn't go to Japan when I suggested it after my graduation when the offer of a trip as a graduation present was still on the table. As of right now, IT IS OFF THE TABLE.

"Well then why'd you bring it up"

I explained this before as well...

My mother, her sister, and myself went to lunch at a chinese restaruant and my mother said "your aunt knows someone that knows someone who went to Japan and had a horrible time" and began to argue me that I shouldn't even be thinking of going by making things up

The simple fact my mother would perfer to give me misinformation trying to disuade me from a trip that I already told her I wouldn't go on at this juncture for her sake is what really get's me.

DO I MAKE MYSELF PERFECTLY CLEAR???

(P.S. I am sorry that I have to sound so terse, but like I said. This is the 3rd time I've explained myself for posting this as well as the fact that the trip isn't gonna happen till we get things straightened out entirely. OK!?)

[claset1111]

Japan $3,500 excluding food
Spain $5,350 excluding food.

which is the least expensive?

oh my god... you're wrong...

spain is not than expensive... in spain with $1,000 you can live 30 days going to all places, eating a lot of good food (not like USA, that the food sucks...)

spain is the best country to visit if you're talking about price

japan is very expensive but it's a place that if you dont visit at least once in your life, its a crime!

sorry for my english ;)

[Cactusjack1999]

oh my god... you're wrong...

spain is not than expensive... in spain with $1,000 you can live 30 days going to all places, eating a lot of good food (not like USA, that the food sucks...)

spain is the best country to visit if you're talking about price

japan is very expensive but it's a place that if you dont visit at least once in your life, its a crime!

sorry for my english ;)

That's with accomodations at a hotel, tickets for events and other things, airfare, and other forms of transportation included man

http://www.escortedspaintours.com/Deluxe/spainfamilyadventure.htm <- Where I got the price.

[Taucias]

That's the kind of trip millionaires would go on. I don't think you picked a normal website there Cactus! No way is that a typical holiday in Spain.

[Tachikoma]

Thats a package tour, if you just booked everything yourself that you wanted to do, it wouldn't cost that much.

[Cactusjack1999]

Quick message...

The trip isn't happening.

My mom said "I'll only send you someplace if it helps you with your career or to learn the language...this is not a vacation"

So the plans are on indefinite hold until I get a job and can afford to pay my way there myself.

Still it's a pretty dick move by her to change the rules.

[Tatsujin]

bad mom

[sven666]

how old are you anyways?, sounds like youre just a kid in which case i wouldnt send you hurling on your own across the globe either. (no offence meant).

ok japan is about the safest place a man can go but still..

[Perkunas]

how old are you anyways?, sounds like youre just a kid in which case i wouldnt send you hurling on your own across the globe either. (no offence meant).

ok japan is about the safest place a man can go but still..

Well, safe if you can look past all the volcanoes, tsunami, typhoons, earthquakes, mud slides and the like... ;-)

[Tatsujin]

don't forget the overatlantic flight with some minor crashrisks.

[Cactusjack1999]

1. I'm 23.
2. over PACIFIC trip... yeesh


My mom just wanted to change the rules because she couldn't figure out a way to stop me if I was playing by the rules she set forth. She knows it, I know it.

I finally got a job. But I dont' start for another 2 weeks. which means my trip for the wrestling stuff is never gonna happen.

oh well.

[graciano1337]

Bummer dude. I bet you'll get to Japan some day.

[Cactusjack1999]

I told my mom I don't need her money.

I'm going to japan on my own dime!

[Hawanja]

Sorry to shit on your parade here bro, but if your mother said she would pay for this trip, but has recently lost her job, should you not like, wait until she gets another job before you hold her to her promise?

I mean, I'm not trying to be an asshole or anything, just saying it seems a little illogical to spend all kinds of crazy money when at the moment you're unemployed.

Edit: Dammit, that's what I get for not reading the whole thread.

Anyway, $3500 isn't that much money. You should be able to raise that in no time.

[Cactusjack1999]

Sorry to shit on your parade here bro, but if your mother said she would pay for this trip, but has recently lost her job, should you not like, wait until she gets another job before you hold her to her promise?

I mean, I'm not trying to be an asshole or anything, just saying it seems a little illogical to spend all kinds of crazy money when at the moment you're unemployed.

Edit: Dammit, that's what I get for not reading the whole thread.

Anyway, $3500 isn't that much money. You should be able to raise that in no time.

1. My mom has been working for roughly 35 years. She's got a good ammount of savings stored away.

2. She's going to buy a new laptop for because of her desktop being so old we can't upgrade it to XP (the motherboard won't go any higher than 2000) and the hard drive mysteriously dying 2 days ago. My brother has tried the same arguement that my mom shouldn't be spending any kind of money like that and my mom is REALLY REALLY pissed about him saying that because he doesn't know a damn thing about this.

3. She never said she'd pay for the trip entirely. She'd only pay for the airfare.

4. We've been talking about this since before she lost the job. I'm not working an angle or anything where I'm trying to "collect" the promise or anything like that because she lost her job and want to get it ASAP.

5. Yes I know this is a mistake on your part, but I just wanted to correct anything anyone might be thinking of.

[Nipponese Gigolo]

1. Be honest money is the only thing stopping anybody from doing anything.
However in Japan you could practically live outside 24/7 hours a day.

2. Your Mother sounds like the average stereotypical American who would prefer diet pills over running around all day long. What you claim she says sounds normal for an Amerikan female character. It is like hearing about somebody you owe money to is going to travel ten thousand miles just to cut off your hand for not making payments on something.

3. You are 23 and by that time my father had me and before that another child and we was living at least not in a apartment space. You are a big big man you not kid at all so you via Japan Vs. your mother is not a issue.

Your mother is not baka your super baka just go and enjoy Japan already:love:

[GaijinPunch]

You seem to be quite an exper on both Japan & America. What part of Japan RU in?


Be honest money is the only thing stopping anybody from doing anything.

Gravity & laws stop me from plenty.

[Cactusjack1999]

1. Be honest money is the only thing stopping anybody from doing anything.
However in Japan you could practically live outside 24/7 hours a day.

2. Your Mother sounds like the average stereotypical American who would prefer diet pills over running around all day long. What you claim she says sounds normal for an Amerikan female character. It is like hearing about somebody you owe money to is going to travel ten thousand miles just to cut off your hand for not making payments on something.

3. You are 23 and by that time my father had me and before that another child and we was living at least not in a apartment space. You are a big big man you not kid at all so you via Japan Vs. your mother is not a issue.

Your mother is not baka your super baka just go and enjoy Japan already:love:

Sir, I should hope that we never meet in a dark alley. No one talks about my mother like that and gets away with it.

[Hawanja]

1. My mom has been working for roughly 35 years. She's got a good ammount of savings stored away.

2. She's going to buy a new laptop for because of her desktop being so old we can't upgrade it to XP (the motherboard won't go any higher than 2000) and the hard drive mysteriously dying 2 days ago. My brother has tried the same arguement that my mom shouldn't be spending any kind of money like that and my mom is REALLY REALLY pissed about him saying that because he doesn't know a damn thing about this.

3. She never said she'd pay for the trip entirely. She'd only pay for the airfare.

4. We've been talking about this since before she lost the job. I'm not working an angle or anything where I'm trying to "collect" the promise or anything like that because she lost her job and want to get it ASAP.

5. Yes I know this is a mistake on your part, but I just wanted to correct anything anyone might be thinking of.

Wow. Your mother must really love you, becasue if I tried to use any of these reasons on my mom she would probably tell me to go fuck myself.

Then again, I make more money than she does at the moment, so she'd probably be asking me for cash and not the other way around.

[Cactusjack1999]

Wow. Your mother must really love you, becasue if I tried to use any of these reasons on my mom she would probably tell me to go fuck myself.

Then again, I make more money than she does at the moment, so she'd probably be asking me for cash and not the other way around.

Umm what?

I'm paying for the trip myself now. I'm working 8 hour shifts at a 7-11 to make the necessary money to go and have myself a good time.

[ServiceGames]

I knew you'd make this happen somehow. It's just a matter of wanting it bad enough. Glad to hear that things are shaping up for a nice trip abroad.

Oh and I'm glad that Niponese bitch is gone. I was going to ask that he be banned, but no need now.

[GaijinPunch]

So what are the dates, CJ?

[Cactusjack1999]

So what are the dates, CJ?

January 2nd - Get on plane
January 3rd - Get off plane in japan

January 9th - Get on plane
January 10th-ish - Get off plane in Pittsburgh.

given that new years is a HUGE thing in japan. It's gonna be hectic I know. But it's gonna be worth it.