1. Korean couple find hidden camera at Airbnb house in Japan
A Korean couple found a hidden camera disguised as a fire detector in their Airbnb house in Japan. The couple said they noticed the camera when they realized the detector was in an odd position with a tiny hole facing the bed, according to an online post y the couple on June 28.
The man, who uploaded the post, said he and his girlfriend initially joked about the detector being a hidden camera. However, becoming suspicious, the man examined the fire detector only to realize it was a hidden camera. He dismantled the fire detector and found a small camera attached to a micro SD card, as well as an on/off switch.
"It was a relief we hadn't done anything that night," said the man who shared the post. "However, we rented the same Airbnb house during an earlier visit in January." The couple immediately reported the matter to the police with the help of the South Korean Embassy in Japan.
"The embassy gave us a lot of help," the man said. "The police immediately searched the house andconfiscated the hidden camera. Although the case is set for a trial, I think it will only be punished as a misdemeanor."
He said he would lodge a strong complaint with Airbnb. Airbnb official said they have removed the host from its site. "We take privacy issues very seriously and have no tolerance for such behavior," an official said. "We immediately removed the host and provided maximum support to the affected guests."
1. What is good about Airbnb?
2. Chances are rare for hosts to be punished as a felony to set up the hidden camera in Japan. What do you think of the level of this punishment?
3. Can you imagine that somebody's watching you while you are sleeping?
4. How come people like to spy on someone's secret private life by hidden camera or something?
5. How do you normally select the accommodation when you go travel somewhere?
2. Kyoto taxi operator starts “Silence Taxi” service, prohibits drivers from instigating small talk
Taxis in Japan’s most refined city seek to minimize unpleasant, awkward conversations.
Hamburgers are pretty universally loved, right? Pickles, however, tend to be more of a love-it-or-hate-it kind of thing.
Similarly, quick, comfortable transportation is pretty popular, which is why you’ll see taxis running about major cities. But once again, not everyone likes the small talk between passenger and driver that often comes with a taxi ride.
Unfortunately, while no one gets bent out of shape when you go to a restaurant and ask them to hold the pickles on your burger, it’s kind of rude to tell your driver “Please stop talking” if you’re not in the mood forchitchat. So for those who’d prefer a quieter ride, one Japanese company has begun what it calls the Silence Taxi service.
Miyako Taxi, which mainly operates in the Kyoto area, has designated a number of cars in its fleet as Silence Taxis. A notice written on the back of the passenger seat headrest informs customers that aside from offering a greeting when they hop in and confirming their desired route, the driver will not speak to them unless he is spoken to (excepting, of course, emergency situations where communication is critical).
“This service is currently in a trial stage, with the goal of creating an in-car atmosphere that provides the most comfortable ride for passengers through limiting the driver’s speaking,” announced Miyako Taxi in a surprisingly loquacious declaration of its anti-small talk measures.
Ordinarily, Miyako Taxi has no policy either way regarding whether or not drivers should attempt to make conversation with their passengers. But the company feels that while some taxi users enjoy hearing about Kyoto’s numerous sightseeing attractions, some are already well-informed on such subjects, especially those who happen to live in the city.
Rather than pressuring passengers to keep up their end of a conversation on subjects they may have no interest in discussing, the company feels that it might be better to let passengers who wish to enjoy the ride in silence do so. For passengers who are feeling chatty, the Silence Taxi drivers aren’t prohibited from speaking after being spoken to, though the program does leave the ball in the passengers’ court as far as making the first conversational move.
Currently, Miyako Taxi has five Silence Taxis running about the streets of Kyoto. The program quietly began in late March, and the company is gauging customer response while considering whether to extend or expand the program.
1. How come taxi drivers enjoy chitchat with passengers?
2. In Japan, there are some stores have two different baskets, which one for shopping alone and the other one for helping shoppers. So, which depending on hold, clerks can either help them or not. Isn't it a good idea?
3. How do you feel about Korean taxi drivers' manner?
4. On-line shopping is catching on all over the world. Maybe just because of silence shopping is possible. What do you think of it?
5. What is the main issue from taxi drivers to be spoken to?
6. The clerk's excessive kindness is uncomfortable sometimes. Do you have any good skill to browse the products alone at the store in Korea?