How I Learned to Give a Fuck

by Kevin Fenix (United States of America)

I didn't expect to find Japan

Going on a vacation is something I never really did in my adult life. I live the "side hustle" lifestyle; while I have an okay day job, it is far from what I want out of life. So, I pursue my passions on my off time, usually using my paid time off to work on passion projects. While it is fulfilling and life-affirming to work on things I care about, it is still work. I've worked multiple jobs since I was 16 with the only travel being for work. It wasn't until I was 31 that I took my first vacation. I went to Japan. I've always been a fan of the culture and undeniably in love with the food. They also have a lot of English speakers as well, so I could think of no better place to go. Immediately upon landing, I experienced a huge shift in culture. I don't know if it was my mood from letting go of all my responsibilities or just how immaculate their airport is, I started to feel like a different person. This different person was fully realized upon using the bidet for the first time. My conscience, my thoughts, my mind was clear. Being so far away from my normal life and responsibilities allowed me to be present. Being thoroughly cleaned after letting shit go was literally and spiritually refreshing. Being a new headspace, I was ready to explore a new country. The first thing I notice was the order. Being in LA, I'm used to crowded places, what I'm not used to is crowded order. It was astonishing that a mass of people were working together, or at the very least not purposely getting in each other's way. Every line, every transaction, every interaction, seemed to be completed in a fluid motion. Immediately after that, I noticed everything is clean. No random bag of potato chips, empty drink cup, or dried up gum on the floor. Everything was pristine. This is even more impressive considering you're seemingly always walking distance from a vending machine. Lastly, people are incredibly respectful. It's weird to explain because it's not like strangers are trying to have conversations while using public transportation. But in Japan, the people around you are doing their best to regard you, rather than disregard you. It's a subtle but palpable difference that I was beginning to understand. I finally realized what it was when I went to get McDonald's. I'm greatly interested in fast food of other countries because I feel it is a universal staple. Here in America, especially LA, it is definitely regarded with some disdain, but in Japan, it's just treated as a meal. That treatment made it taste WAY BETTER. And not only McDonald's, but 7/11's food was delicious too. I know people who wouldn't be caught dead in those places in America, but in Japan, they're not only reputable, they're undeniably good places to get food. It got me thinking, how could these American institutions be so much better in Japan. Then I realized, it's because the people of Japan give a fuck. It's not that they care, they just give a fuck. A slight fuck. Enough to care about the outcome and effect of what they do. Something that America, and definitely myself, pride ourselves in not doing. The less fucks we give, the better. That slight fuck the give to their actions and community, make our joke of a restaurant into a damn good place to eat. That slight fuck means I don't have to worry about stepping in dog shit. That slight fuck allows me to feel comfortable in every bathroom I go to. I was in Japan for 3 days and gave a fuck. That fuck lead to having incredible food, incredible interactions, and immaculate bathroom visits. Giving a fuck allowed me to enjoy McDonald's and even make some Japanese citizens smile. Now I'm back in LA and it's painfully obvious no one gives a fuck, but I still do. I cleaned up my table after eating at McDonald's last week because I gave a fuck. Today the cashier threw in a free 10pc. Fuck yeah!