Culture of the Vending Machines (Yu Jin Yi)

This happened on one rainy day at a Soba place I went for the first time.
Hungry and exhausted from the rain, I tossed the umbrella next to the door of Soba shop
and rushed to the table. As I turned my head towards the waitress to order, however, I
realized something was wrong—the waitress was pointing fervently at the entrance with
her finger. There was a large vending machine, with buttons that have the prices and
menu written on them. I was supposed to buy the food coupon from the vending
machine and give it to the waitress to order. Feeling my face blush from embarrassment,
I went back to the entrance and inserted coins into the vending machine.
An average Korean would, upon hearing the phrase “vending machine,” think
of a machine that sells some drinks—which is quite different from what’s happening
here. Quite a few of the Korean bloggers actually posted lots of articles
regarding “diverse kinds of vending machines in Japan.” Virtually any imaginable
vending machines exist in Japan, and it is very common for even eateries with waiters to
use vending machines rather than receive orders through waiters.
By all the imaginable vending machines I mean literally any kinds. Other than
relatively “normal” vending machines that sell drinks, Japan has vending machines for
tobacco, ice cream, cup noodles, chips, tissues, books, beer, bread, fruits and more; for
people like me whose Japanese is not competent enough, not having to speak to
Japanese seller is a huge comfort. Plus, late in the night when most stores are closed, I
can always go to the nearest vending machine to grab some snacks.
According to one of the Korean newspaper articles, there are excessive amount
of vending machines in Japan because of the expensive labor cost. The cost for hiring a
seller for the goods is too expensive that, installing a vending machine is much cheaper
in the long run.
Whatever the reason, the vending machine culture is the epitome of the
individualistic tendency of Japanese society. In Japan, there are lots of facilities that
enable individuals to enjoy their solitary lifestyle, such as the Ramen shop that has
partition walls in between the seats or the restaurants with one long table. Individual
customers can, instead of awkwardly sitting at a table for four people by himself, settle
down at the long table, face the waiter, eat, and leave. Vending machines, too, are
individualistic since one doesn’t have to have any human contact while purchasing
goods. Likewise, Japan is a country of individual convenience—free from being
conscious of others for a day or two when one feels like it.
Reference: http://dibrary1004.blog.me/30097190285