Eye of the Beholder?

OK, One more little 'observation' from my trip to Japan to close out the week. Any heterosexual man with a pulse can't help but notice the way many young Japanese women dress. Some might call it revealing, some might use the term "strategic," and others would probably digress into less civilized terminology. No one seems to pay particular attention. Foreign women, though, seem to draw many disapproving stares even for wearing somewhat-form-fitting shirts or blouses.

The Japanese aren't prudes when it comes to sex, though they do value discretion... for the most part. They just seem to have this weird double-standard that defies comprehension. For example, physical contact in public between members of the opposite sex is frowned upon. Some younger people will hold hands, but that's about the limit. You never seem to see couples hug or kiss.

What you will see, though, are men reading pornographic comic books (sold in most convenience stores) on the subway, without a hint of self-consciousness. In fact, I saw many newspapers on the subway being read by other riders with ads depicting topless women, amongst the articles. Also on the subway, in between PSAs for calcium and exercise, and furniture store ads, were racy ads for pornographic DVDs and magazines.

I'm not really sure what it all adds up to, other than a culture with unwritten, but very specific rules about propriety. Let me know if anyone out there has a copy of their rulebook.