Latest news with #Western-style
Tokyo Weekender
a day ago
- Tokyo Weekender
‘What Do You Mean It's Not Free?' The Otoshi Trap Confusing Tokyo's Tourists
Japan's tourism boom is breaking records — and testing a few tempers. Some visitors are discovering otoshi , the surprise ¥300 appetizer they never ordered, and they're not happy about it. Quietly placed on the table at izakayas — then added to the bill — this small dish has become a recurring source of confusion, frustration and online outrage. Case in point: A recent incident at a Tokyo izakaya saw a group of six tourists erupt over a ¥3600 charge for otoshi dishes they assumed were complimentary. In fact, they were ¥300 apiece, and the cost doubled after they ordered a second round. 'No! No! Crazy!' they shouted, gesturing in disbelief as staff scrambled for translation apps. Eventually, the manager intervened. Peace was restored. But the internet took note. In English-speaking travel forums, otoshi is often labeled a 'compulsory appetizer' or 'Japan's sneaky cover charge.' But these kinds of monikers miss something important: Unlike a Western-style cover, otoshi comes with actual food. And if you're coming from a country where tipping 15 to 20 percent is standard, you're still saving money. List of Contents: Where Did Otoshi Come From? Culture Clash in a Small Dish Related Posts Where Did Otoshi Come From? To understand otoshi, you have to understand what an izakaya is — and was. These casual pubs trace their roots to the Edo period, when sake sellers began letting customers linger and drink on-site. The term izakaya literally comes from ' i ' (to stay) and ' sakaya ' (sake shop). These early drinking spots were informal, standing-room-only places where regulars sipped cheap sake and snacked on whatever the shop had on hand. As the izakaya evolved into sit-down establishments with broader menus and longer hours, the otoshi developed as a way to manage service flow and secure a basic income. As tipping is considered awkward or even rude in Japan, a small appetizer served automatically became a built-in way to compensate for seating, service and prep. Otoshi also serves a practical role. The word comes from the verb tosu , which means 'to let through' or 'to pass along.' In izakaya lingo, this refers to either the act of showing guests to their table or passing their first drink order to the kitchen — with a small appetizer offered to 'pass the time' while the food catches up. Originally, it functioned as a kind of signal: Once the otoshi was placed, staff knew the customer had officially ordered. Over time, it also became a de facto table charge — a stand-in for tipping or a service fee in a country where those customs don't exist. Unlike Korea's free-flowing banchan or Spain's gratis tapas, otoshi comes with a price tag. That alone, for some tourists, crosses the line between charming custom and sneaky upcharge. Culture Clash in a Small Dish The problem isn't the charge. It's the lack of context. Most izakayas don't explain it unless asked, and there's rarely signage. And for foreign visitors unfamiliar with Japanese dining etiquette, it can feel like a bait-and-switch. Some shops in Tokyo's Golden Gai have started removing otoshi entirely for foreign guests, raising drink prices slightly instead — only to get hit with new complaints about the 'foreigner markup.' Others are leaning into clarity, framing otoshi as a cover charge or table fee. Technically accurate, and far more palatable. 'Cover charge' is a concept most tourists understand: You pay to sit, and you get a snack. Simple. In the end, the otoshi debacle may say more about global dining expectations than about Japan. In countries where tipping is expected but often arbitrary, otoshi is arguably the more honest system: a flat, low-cost, edible cover. But when it's unexplained — and unfamiliar — it becomes a lightning rod for cultural friction. Related Posts Izakaya Owner Defends 'Japanese Language Only' Policy Rethinking Japan's Tourism Policy Foreign Visitors Continue To Flock to Japan in Record Numbers
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business Insider
I'm a travel advisor who's been to over 125 countries. This remote Asian destination is unlike anywhere else.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with travel advisor Karyn Farr, a Californian who has traveled to 125 countries. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. I've been a travel advisor for 24 years and have visited over 125 countries. My travels have taken me to Canada, all across Europe, the United Kingdom, the Nordic and Baltic countries, India, South and Central America, the Middle East, Asia, coastal Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. Of all the places I've been, Mongolia is one of my favorites. It's incredibly beautiful and unique, with a lifestyle and culture that not many people get to experience. I first visited in the summer of 2018 with a small group of people, and we traveled the country extensively. While Mongolia is very welcoming to foreigners, you'll want a guide — unless you're just staying in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, where a lot of the population lives. If you're heading to more rural and remote areas, you need guides who speak English and transportation arranged in advance. The country certainly isn't one of the more touristy destinations. I had to fly from Los Angeles to Beijing — a two-day journey just to get there. It requires a truly adventurous spirit, but it's absolutely worth visiting and experiencing for yourself. Mongolia's scenery is stunning One afternoon, when I was in Ulaanbaatar, I was walking around when a local man approached me and asked, "Where are you from?" I said, "California," and his eyes widened. He said, "Well, that's far down there," and said, "Welcome, I hope you enjoy your stay in Mongolia." I did. I spent about two weeks there and visited many different regions, each so different. Mongolia has a beautiful landscape. There are many lakes, pine forests in the North, which have a climate similar to the northern United States, and open spaces filled with greenery, where cows and horses freely graze. In the South, there are a lot of mountains, including the Gobi-Altai Mountains. The southern region is also home to the Gobi Desert, which has a lot of sand dunes. One afternoon, while my group and I were exploring the dunes, our tour guide showed us a natural spring flowing up from the ground. I spent the afternoon watching the spring feed nearby horses. I just felt very connected with the land. Mongolia is best known for Genghis Khan, a conqueror who founded the Mongol Empire, which became one of the largest empires in history. If you head east, you can visit the Genghis Khan Statue Complex. It has massive statues of Genghis Khan and his warriors. The country is also known for its horseback riding, made famous by Genghis Khan's army. I had several opportunities to ride the horses when I visited, and it was wonderful. I had many adventures in Mongolia There's a lot to do in Mongolia. When my group was in Ulaanbaatar, we stayed in a small Western-style hotel. During the day, we visited a Buddhist monastery. In the evening, we went into town and enjoyed entertainment like traditional music and dance. Mongolians have a distinct vocal style: they throat sing. When we were in the Gobi Desert, my group stayed at the Gobi Nomad Lodge, a resort with many gers, also known as yurts, which resemble tipis in Native American culture. At night, we would sit outside and watch some of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen. In the desert, we saw camels, horses, sheep, and yaks. I also tried my hand at archery. Hunting is a historic tradition in Mongolia, and there was an archery range set up. I wasn't exactly accurate, but I was proud to get my arrow to the target. In Ömnögovi Province of the Gobi Desert, we visited a local family and spent time in their yurt home, where they served us traditional food and fermented mare's milk. We also explored the Flaming Cliffs, also known as Bayanzag, famous for their glowing orange rocks; the Singing Sands, sand dunes that make music when shifted by the wind; and the Khavtsgait Petroglyphs, ancient rock carvings dating back to the Bronze Age. I feel incredibly special and blessed to have had the opportunity to experience this. It's not something everyone dreams of doing, but I grew up in Iowa, where you don't see much beyond the familiar. As a child, I would read books and imagine distant places. I always wanted to travel. One time, my mother asked me, "Why do you want to go to all these places?" And I simply said, "Because I can." I would definitely return to Mongolia — I had so many great adventures, made unforgettable memories, and even made a friend. Our group's guide, who shared so much about her lifestyle with us, later came to California to visit me and a few other members of our tour group. She and I cooked a Mongolian dinner for everyone in California, giving us a chance to reminisce about our time there.
India.com
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
International Sushi Day: 7 Varieties You Need To Taste
Muskan Kalra Jun 18, 2025 It is a Western-style roll with rice on the outside and seaweed inside. Perfect for beginners or sushi newbies. It is a hand-pressed rice topped with a slice of fish or seafood (like tuna, salmon, or shrimp). And try it if you enjoy clean, simple flavors and fresh seafood. It is a Sushi rice and fillings (like fish, veggies, or egg) rolled in seaweed (nori) and sliced and popular variations are tuna roll, cucumber roll, avocado roll. It is a cone-shaped hand roll with seaweed on the outside and rice/fillings inside. It looks like a sushi taco! Great for casual eating. It is a thinly sliced raw fish or seafood served without rice. Try salmon, tuna, or yellowtail sashimi to appreciate the raw fish itself. It is a bowl of sushi rice topped with assorted sashimi and garnishes and great for a filling, deconstructed sushi experience. It is a sweet, layered Japanese omelet served over sushi rice and bound with seaweed. It is a kid-friendly, Mild, slightly sweet, and non-fishy. Read Next Story
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Cuba, human rights and the greater good
Opinion The invocation of human rights discourse in Cuba is sensitive and often controversial. I vividly remember my first trip to Cuba in the mid-1990s, where we (I was travelling with a group of students from Saint Mary's University in Halifax) visited the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) in Havana. When a question and answer discussion started, I asked about Cuba's human rights record within the country. The room suddenly grew quiet. But, as is often the case, the Cuban representatives attending the session were more than happy to entertain my query. They wanted to make clear to the group that context, historical experience and cultural patterns and values are critical to grappling with such a thorny issue. I want to be very clear myself from the outset that this op-ed piece is not about defending or excoriating Cuba's human rights record. Readers can visit the country, talk to the people, and see for themselves. This piece hopes to foster greater understanding and context and spur debate. As a socialist and revolutionary country, Cuba gives more prominence to social policy challenges — as opposed to Western-style civil and political rights — and thus values economic, social and cultural rights or responsibilities. For them, the emphasis is on the valuing of 'human' life, as became clear during the ICAP discussion, and rests on advancing Cubans' human dignity, taking care of their basic human needs and tending to their overall welfare. Cuban President Fidel Castro, in an October 1979 speech before the UN General Assembly, stated emphatically: 'I speak on behalf of those who have been denied the right to life and human dignity.' Put another way, governmental preference should be given to collective or group rights/interests and not individual civil and political rights. It is also true that Global North free and fair elections are absent in Cuba, as are constitutionally mandated press freedoms and, most important, the right to engage in political dissent. Moreover, the Madrid-based non-governmental organization, Prisoners Defenders, maintains that there were over 1,000 political prisoners in Cuban jails in 2024. On the other hand, the Cuban government gives priority to responsibilities (as advanced by a socialist state that embodies the people) around equality, family, labour and, most significantly, community or group rights. Again, the focus revolves around human dignity, economic sustenance and ensuring that basic needs are met. For instance, the state seeks to keep the cost of housing low, subsidizes housing materials and offers low-cost rental fees. To a large extent (and these days everything is in short supply in Cuba), access to decent health care, education (including at the university level), a job and a small retirement pension are all guaranteed by the Cuban government. Socially speaking, Cuba has legally entrenched same-sex marriage (and adoption rights), prohibits discrimination based on gender, identity and sexual orientation and has recognized transgender people (and made gender affirmation surgery available for free). It has also codified responsibilities for equal family responsibilities for children, a family life free from violence and an inclusive LGBTTQ+ public health and education program. Much work, of course, still remains to be done in these areas. It is instructive to note that Cuba's turbulent and troubled history has been shaped by colonial dominance (by Spain and then the United States) that was characterized by economic exploitation, a sugar plantation economy and violent slavery and political repression. However, during these periods there was no cultural transplanting of any conception of the inalienable political rights of individual human beings. After 1959, socialist Cuba began to place higher priority on modernization/industrialization, counter-dependency, an end to economic subjugation and the fulfilment of basic economic and social rights (given its abject poverty) within the wider community. And it was clearly Spanish and U.S. colonization that reinforced among the Cuban people the notion of group cohesion, oneness and the emergence of a resilient value system. Accordingly, the Cuban state took on the core role of developing the country economically and socially with the purported best interests of its people in mind. Any interest in entrenching individual political rights had to take a back seat to ensuring human dignity for everyone and redistributing the fruits of a state-driven developing economy — as well as guaranteeing freedom from starvation, freedom from exploitation and the satisfaction of basic human needs. Of course, governmental promises and pledges around human rights are not the same thing as actual positive results on the ground — as we have seen in Cuba, the Global South and the industrialized North. Looking forward, though, can the Cuban state fulfil its social and economic responsibilities to the people without embracing free market capitalism? Or, will the manifestations of those rights (e.g., access to health care, education and state entitlements) fall prey to the profit motive and rugged individualism? And will traditional Cuban values of group-mindedness, looking out for the welfare of others and sharing what they have still remain over time? Lots of questions. Very few answers, I'm afraid. Peter McKenna is professor of political science at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown.
India Today
3 days ago
- Health
- India Today
India's Pinnacle Blooms Builds World-Leading Autism Therapy Framework, Now Inspiring Global Health Systems
In a historic breakthrough that is transforming the world's perception of autism therapy, India has developed a universally accessible, AI-powered autism therapy model, which is currently being researched and implemented on all continents. Led by Pinnacle Blooms Network, an innovation born out of empathy that is women-driven, this model provides hope and change to millions of children and families who have spent years living in silence and India, autism and developmental delays have been underappreciated and misdiagnosed for decades as behavioral problems or poor parenting. Now, more than 90% of kids with neurodevelopmental disorders are still undiagnosed or untreated until there is irreversible developmental delay. With an estimated one in every 68 children having an autism spectrum disorder and one in every five with early signs of speech or communication delays, the sheer need for an integral, culturally appropriate, and scalable therapy model was imperative.A Silent Revolution StartsIt began with a mother's determination. Dr. Sreeja Reddy Saripalli, fueled by experience and a dream to redefine the story of children with autism, designed what was never there before—a therapy environment that revolves around the child, the family, and the community. In 2014, Pinnacle Blooms Network launched its first center, not only to offer therapy, but to create an integrated network of the years, Pinnacle has launched groundbreaking innovations:TherapySphere, a safe, sensory-safe therapy space,AbilityScore, a patented developmental scoring system providing clarity to otherwise indeterminate diagnostic hurdles,TherapeuticAI, an artificial intelligence engine that forecasts behavioral meltdowns and assists real-time therapy planning,SEVA, a dignity-first model offering free therapy to underserved populations including families with incomes less than 25,000 per month,PinnacleNationalHeroes, offering lifetime free therapy to families of India's defense and civic service Pinnacle has more than 70 centers across the country, sustained by 1,600 trained professionals and having served over 19 million sessions of therapy with a 97% recorded rate of improvement. It is not merely a health service — it is a movement sustained by women empowerment, maternal leadership, and inclusive the Silence: Stories of HopeIn rural Telangana, four-year-old Anjali's breakthrough moment captured the essence of Pinnacle's impact. After weeks of silent struggle with communication, a simple flashcard delivered through a specially designed therapy program allowed Anjali to connect visually and emotionally with her mother for the first time. Moments like these are quietly unfolding every day across India's diverse geographies, from tribal regions to urban centers.A Model Made for India, Tailored for the WorldAs opposed to other imported Western-style conventional models of therapy, Pinnacle Blooms was established from scratch for India's extensive linguistic, cultural, and economic heterogeneity. It functions across over 133 languages and dialects, treading carefully to respect the individual cultural rhythm and family background of each child. This flexibility has enabled it not only to succeed in urban cities but also in India's second and third-tier towns, bringing therapy to those beyond the urban cloud-based, modular architecture takes advantage of shared communications tools such as WhatsApp and SMS, as opposed to high-bandwidth applications, which makes the system robust and scalable even in low-resource AI aspects of the system don't supplant human intuition but augment it—giving therapists predictive information and allowing them to deliver targeted interventions that are attuned to each child's environment and Recognition and AdoptionPinnacle Blooms Network's pioneering work has garnered national honors, including recognition from the Telangana government and leading Indian media outlets. It has been celebrated for its women-led workforce, trauma-informed care culture, and public-private hybrid model that balances innovation with dignity and the framework is attracting significant attention:Academic collaborations are underway with institutions such as Stanford University, Heidelberg University, and Singapore Institute of Mental UAE, Kenya, and Bangladesh governments and ministries are considering licensing and WHO-SEARO are investigating Pinnacle's SEVA model and TherapeuticAI for rural and tech-enabled early intervention is included in UN development drafts on childhood digital health and AI policy whitepapers that emphasize empathy-based throughout Africa, Southeast Asia, and the UK are testing Pinnacle's model to tackle their specific challenges for autism therapy. Kenya, for instance, has an acute need for trained child therapists and thus sees the low-cost, scalable Pinnacle strategy as essential. Boroughs in the UK with large South Asian populations are also studying its cultural and linguistic Pinnacle's Model WorksPinnacle's success is the synergy of science, compassion, and context-aware technology. It substitutes the normally inaccessible and disjointed services with an integrated system that scores, monitors, and redesigns developmental advancement. Therapy is no longer a luxury for the select few—it is now an everyday habit, integrated in homes, schools, and model's architecture respects diversity and inclusion by default. It doesn't divide children by income or background; a diplomat's child and a farmer's child are treated side by side, with equality and fundamental elements illustrate world relevance:The AbilityScore system translates development skills in a borderless TherapeuticAI engine learns from unique behaviors, not stationary TherapySphere space heals via sensory design across language Everyday Therapy systems empower caregivers and families as full cultural calibration of the framework prevents children from having to fit into a certain mold; instead, the system adapts to them.A Call for Global PartnershipPinnacle Blooms Network now invites governments, health ministries, NGOs, AI researchers, teachers, and parent communities across the globe to contribute to co-creating a common global developmental blueprint. Its vision is bold but inclusive: to empower 90 crore (900 million) children and families with a transparent, scalable, and flexible therapy opportunities are:Creating country-specific developmental local dialect AI and scaling SEVA programs in resource-constrained Everyday Therapy into national education an open-source, mother-powered global therapy intelligence pilot initiatives are being implemented in the UAE, UK, USA, Africa, and the Maldives, proving the framework's readiness for global Pinnacle Blooms Network hasn't simply established a therapy company or produced a campaign—its founders have written a new world playbook for the treatment of autism. Constructed by mothers, guided by women, and fueled by innovative technology imbued with compassion, this blueprint is shining a light of promise to the millions of youngsters the world has is a tale of invention without compromise, of exceptionless inclusion, and of therapy founded not upon charity but the world looking on and taking note, Pinnacle's story represents a watershed moment—one in which solutions are not created top-down but arise from lived experience, cultural knowledge, and an unwavering faith in the ability of every The material and information contained are for advertorial purposes only. India Today holds no responsibility for the content written on the website as a basis for making any business, legal, or any other decision. Any reliance placed on such material is at your own risk. advertisement
