Comments on Boston Gal's Open Wallet: Enjoying less does not require a boarding pass

Couldn't agree more with Anonymous. This whole ar...

2009-06-10T00:11:03.718-04:00

Couldn't agree more with Anonymous. This whole article reeks of Asian Fetishism. Sure, the Japanese founded Zen Buddhism and have some of the most stark and minimalist architecture and design around, but they are also the creators of the Kawaii phenomenon (Hello Kitty) and there is nobody that does over packaging better.

The leaving part is fine, I would caution the excess romanticizing of another culture.

Living a simple life and seeking solitude in one's...

2009-06-09T16:31:50.361-04:00

Living a simple life and seeking solitude in one's own country is probably a lot more cost effective, easy and logical.

That article is completely ridiculous. I lived in...

2009-06-09T14:45:16.692-04:00

That article is completely ridiculous. I lived in Japan for two years, and the solitude he's talking about is the same you'd get if you dropped out of your harried working city life anywhere in the US and went into hiding and moved away from friends and family all of the sudden--you certainly don't need to go to Japan to do it.

So the Japanese are supposed to have a monopoly on zen-like behavior? Has he not been to Harajuku or Roppongi? Has he ever been to a Japanese ski resort or been on the street in election time, when there is so much noise pollution with speakers from cars it's impossible to think? Also try getting into a zen-like state when you have to run for the train that only comes once every 30 minutes, or carry all your food home in a bicycle basket.

You can avoid calling or interacting with people anywhere in the world, it doesn't take becoming a foreigner and moving half-way around the world to do it.