OSAKA, Japan - A trip to Japan is like a continuous time warp back and forth through history, from the past to the cutting-edge present, then back to the ancient. My mission was history based. The international opening of the Japanese American National Museum's traveling exhibit on the history of the Japanese Americans of Hawaii at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum in Okinawa, Japan.
My arrival in Japan was at Kansai International Airport, a stunningly contemporary facility built on a vast man-made island in Osaka Bay. The Japanese flair for efficiency and design, rationality melded with style, made the normally punishing process of an international transit a smooth, in fact, pleasurable, experience. We sailed through customs, exchanged our dollars for yen, had a tasty light snack of buckwheat noodles all in stylish comfort, and we were on our way to our destination, Okinawa.
The opening of the museum's exhibit was a great success. A large contingent of museum supporters and staff were in attendance, including Irene Hirano, the museum's president and executive director. U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Thomas Foley, U.S. Senator from Hawaii, Daniel Inouye, Lt. Governor of Hawaii, Mazie Hirono, and Governor Inamine of Okinawa were our honored guests together with more than 250 other Americans who had traveled to be with us for the opening. As the only American to speak at the ceremony in both Japanese and English, I became something of the bridge to mutual understanding that is the point of our exhibit.
The following day was back to the future. The museum sponsored a special educational program at the National Okinawa Youth Center on Tokashiki Island, a fast jetfoil ride away from the main island. The program featured two astronauts from NASA, Daniel Tani, a Japanese American from Chicago, and Mamoru Mohri, a Japanese astronaut who has flown two NASA space missions in the past two years. The program had the eyes and imagination of the young people of Okinawa soaring to the stars.
From Okinawa, I flew to the southern Japan city of Fukuoka because of my personal interest in architecture. I had read that American architect Jon Jerde had designed a remarkable project in Fukuoka called Canal City. Remarkable it is! Jerde has designed a fancifully futuristic commercial complex incorporating one of the many canals of Fukuoka. There are restaurants and shops galore, offices and educational facilities and a dazzling multiplex cinema and a grand theater for Broadway musicals - indeed a traveling production of Disney's "Lion King" was the next production booked. Whimsically geometric structures snake and undulate following the curves of the canal. The canal itself spouted jets of water five stories up. Lights bubbled and flickered or glowed and subtly illuminated the contours of the fanciful buildings. There were performers on little peninsulas out on the canal. But the cascade of people flowing up and down the escalators and stairways made simple people watching just as entertaining. Jerde's creation is an architectural Broadway musical. And my actor's instincts led me to book my hotel reservation at the Hyatt Grand right smack center stage in the middle of the whole colorful production. I lived for two days and two nights in an architect's theatrical fantasy.
Then a super-fast bullet train sped me right back into history. When it stopped, we transferred to an old-fashioned ferry that sailed leisurely toward the legendary shrine island of Miyajima shrouded in the mist of history. As a matter of fact, there was a light mist in the air as we approached the famous floating torii gate to Itsukushima Shrine that seems to mystically rest on water. Legend has it that because the island is considered sacred, there were no births or deaths allowed on it. That all had to take place on the mainland. Even today, there is no hospital on the island. However, at the ferry station, we did take a taxi, instead of the rickshaw, to our lodging. As we were driven through the narrow passageways of the village of Miyajima, it felt as though we were passing through the set of a samurai movie. A short way up the hillside and we arrived at a magnificent Japanese villa. This was the historic Iwaso Inn, one of the great lodges of Japan. We were gracefully ushered by a charming kimono-clad chambermaid to a classically formal Japanese room. Beyond the veranda lay a serene view of a maple forest. I could have sat meditating on that veranda all day. But we had so much we wanted to do.
It was autumn and the forest had turned a spectacular palette of reds, oranges, and yellows as well as the deep greens of the evergreens. We took a cable ride high over the spectacularly painted forest to the topmost point of the island. We fed the famously hungry tame deers that roam the island of Miyajima. We trooped through the shrine with the day-tripping tourist horde. Exhausted, we returned to our inn. I soaked in the hot Japanese bath gazing up at the steam wafting through the pine branches. Every tired muscle in my body seemed to melt into blessed relaxation.
Shortly after I had changed into my formal kimono provided by the inn, a gentle knock came on our sliding door. Our chambermaid was ready to serve us dinner. The low, spacious lacquered table in our room became the stage for a seemingly endless parade of small, artfully arranged dishes presented with elegance and grace. This was the renowned "kaiseki" dinner of ancient Japan. When the last delicious morsel had been served, the chambermaid suggested that we go for an after dinner stroll on the island. Miyajima at night, she urged, is something quite special.
She was so right. The island was magically transformed. The hurley burly of the day-trippers had disappeared and in its place was a tranquil scene of kimono-clad people quietly admiring the illuminated shrine and pagoda. The reflection of the shrine on the calm, dark water made it seem almost supernatural. On our way back, we ambled past the detached villa of our inn that was reserved for the emperor. Emperor Hirohito himself, we were told, had regularly stayed there. When we returned to our room, the lacquered table had vanished and in its place futon beds had neatly been arranged. That night, I slept deeply dreaming the dream of some past emperor.
Another quick bullet train ride the next day and we were in the shining new metropolis of Hiroshima. This city, flattened by the devastation of the atomic bomb over half a century ago, has rebuilt itself into a modern urban center of broad, tree-lined boulevards, tall glassy buildings and, at its focal point, a leafy park dedicated to international peace, the center of which is the Peace Museum. The exhibit there is a deeply moving chronicle of the human suffering as a result of the dropping of the bomb.
In Hiroshima, I was back to wearing my hat as the chairman of the Japanese American National Museum. After Okinawa, we want to tour our exhibit throughout Japan. It is currently set for Osaka in March of 2001. Because a large number of Japanese immigrants came from Hiroshima, as indeed my maternal grandparents did, we would very much like to see our exhibit visit there. I had met Governor Yuzan Fujita of Hiroshima on a previous visit and so had arranged to meet with him again to gain his support and guidance finding a way to get our exhibit to Hiroshima. The Governor greeted me warmly and, after I made my request, he immediately had ideas of a venue to be considered. He called for his personal car and driver and promptly dispatched me to examine his suggested site. Transported in the luxurious comfort of the Governor's car, I toured a handsome new exhibition hall. I now feel rather confident that the people of Hiroshima will be viewing our exhibit.
After visits with relatives in Hiroshima, I was back on the bullet train for my final stop on this trip, Osaka. The Second City of Japan is an overwhelming metropolis of congested traffic, bustling commerce and energetic people. And this is where the popularity of Star Trek in Japan is enormous. Through Russ Haslage of the Excelsior campaign, fans in Osaka had contacted me, and a charming young lady, Sachie Kubo, had made arrangements, to show me their city.
When I checked into my hotel room, the view that greeted me through my window was of the great Osaka Castle, the most spectacular historic structure in Japan. Circled by a wide moat protecting a lush park-like area, then looming up on a base of gigantic boulders amazingly fitted together, the castle sparkled in the sun with its golden embellishments. I had to go across immediately to tour it.
Crossing the arched bridge over the moat felt like the prelude to entry into the past. This was the very place where great battles were fought by the most powerful shogun in Japan's history, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Stepping into this storied precinct, I felt as though I were going back in time. That illusion was immediately smashed when a trendy young runner jogged by wearing a shiny spandex running outfit - then another wearing earphones with a thin metallic antenna bobbing over his head. I learned that the park inside the moat was one of the popular running paths of Osaka. As I walked through the outer entrance of the castle and the gigantic wood gate studded with black iron braces, I recognized it immediately from the television mini-epic, "Shogun." I remembered that this was where it was filmed on location. We trudged up a seemingly endless series of gray granite steps to the castle's main entrance. As we huffed and puffed, our straining muscles let us know how impregnable this castle must have been to the warlords who attacked it. We paid our admission and walked in. I stood there stunned. In front of us was a bank of elevators! There were video displays on the history of the castle built right into the walls! And I felt the comforting warmth of forced air heating in this ancient castle! I learned from a brochure that this historic castle had been completely rebuilt just a few years ago -- with all modern conveniences to boot. With a slight sense of disillusionment, we took the elevator to the top of the castle. The view was great. We were taking in the panoramic vista of modern day Osaka from the highest point of the castle, when I heard an American accented voice shout at me, "My god! You're Mr. Sulu, aren't you?" With one excited exclamation, I was brought from my fantasies at the pinnacle of this recently rebuilt ancient castle, back to my very own present day reality. The cameras flashed as I posed for pictures with American Star Trek fans touring in Osaka.
I spent the following day with Japanese Star Trek fans in Osaka. Four beaming faces were waiting in the hotel lobby that morning to show me the sights of this city. Sachie Kubo and Masanori Mizuumi were from Osaka but I was both flattered and moved to discover that Yoshimitsu Murata and Youichi Nieda, whom I had met on a previous trip to Tokyo earlier this year, had traveled all the way down from Tokyo to share the day with me.
It was a fun-filled day of roaming through a vibrant and engaging metropolis of busy marketplaces and elegant shops, raucous entertainment quarters and traditional bunraku theater and temples and shrines. We even saw a traditional wedding ceremony taking place at one of the temples. That evening, about a dozen more fans joined us at a restaurant for a lovely dinner of Japanese hot pot and conversations about the Excelsior campaign. The savory steam that wafted up from the bubbling pot of vegetables, seafood, noodles and other delicious morsels seemed to warm new friendships and enhance old ones.
All to soon, our 10-day trip to Japan was coming to an end. The next afternoon, we were on the express train to Kansai International Airport for our flight to Los Angeles - home to prepare for the holidays. As I write this on my laptop in the airport lounge in Osaka, I'm reminded of the many events of this past year. Much has happened, great and small. We have much to be thankful for. And much we need to do in the future. May I wish you all the joys and blessings of this holiday season.
When I was heading into high school from middle my guidance counselor and my parents wanted me to enter into "gifted" classes because I was able to maintain a high GPA. They thought it would give me a head start for a great college and then prime me for the Presidency. I protested and negotiated signing up for merely "advanced" classes, God forbid I go with "regular" classes, or we all just get the same education. I have never regretted it.
The Burnout....
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTQ1NTY3NS9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMjEzNDA2NX0.ijpw8O47yiRhzJTOYcBBM7yyTrRjzJ8xNgm5mNQECXY/img.gif?width=980" id="6854e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="072d2539b34253282d547cf0bbf1308f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="480" data-height="270" />burnt out GIF by Space JamGiphy<p>High expectations from a young age, from everyone, leading to overworking, depression anxiety and burnout. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/krlc7z/former_gifted_children_what_went_wrong/giam8gs?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">isthispaige</a><span></span></p>Don't Push....
<p>For me the high expectations were combined with questionable parenting. My mom didn't really understand that you can't just push people you need them to buy in and you need to know how things work. My mom would yell at me for doing poorly in high school math but didn't understand that if I didn't have high school math I couldn't go into a business or engineering degree and now I'm messed because my BA & MA are useless.</p><p>Pushing your kids too hard is really crappy. Also, not meeting their basic emotional needs or giving them fun stuff to do will also mess with them. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/krlc7z/former_gifted_children_what_went_wrong/gic1zty?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">ContactLess128</a></p>In the 6th....
<p>In sixth grade I started at a very prestigious school geared toward college prep. At my previous school I excelled with minimal effort, rarely got under 99% on any test or quiz or project. Sixth grade starts, and now I have 3+ hours of homework a night. Couple that with piano lessons (I didn't particularly enjoy them) once a week and extra curricular like sports and I had less free time as a sixth grader than I do now at 33 with a full time job 45 minute one way commute, and a three year old daughter. </p>Average
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTQ1NTY4NC9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNDQyMTYxMX0.-_otEKw2647KC3CHL-P5Mn6La9e7zuK7jfK2Wnxnw2A/img.gif?width=980" id="dcce7" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9cf8b7dd9131ecda2b72a98a6a624ec7" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="480" data-height="258" />student pass GIF by Juan BillyGiphy<p>I never learned how to work for my grades. Even now in college, I find it hard to sit down and do my work and I push everything to the last minute.</p>So Many Issues....
<p>Sounds like a cop out, but to an extent I blame my mother. I'd come home having scored a 98/99 and her brand of "comedy" was to ask what happened to the other 1 or 2%. She loves me and didn't mean any harm by it, but after a while it wears on you. I started feeling like if I didn't try it wouldn't matter to me if I missed out on a few percentage points here or there anymore because I'd always have a legitimate excuse for myself. </p>:(
<p>ADHD and child abuse. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/krlc7z/former_gifted_children_what_went_wrong/giaj6fh?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Yeti-lover</a></p>God, this. I tested in the upper percentile early on, and I was put in advanced classes. I don't know what it's like now, but California had really good programs when I was a kid. However, I went undiagnosed for ADD as well. This, along with my parent's expectations meant I disappointed them more often than not.Derailed....
<p>Mental illness and being poorly prepared for life, but I've gotten control of it. Now I'm a little behind in life but I'm back in college and have a 4.0. Sometimes we get derailed but it's never too late to try again. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/krlc7z/former_gifted_children_what_went_wrong/giakrri?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Viiibrations</a><span></span></p>Only to be Smarter....
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTQ1NTY4OS9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNDcwNjE4MX0.faewKXS7fRsNJgcoScogB9exiwe4PB7s5saRr3iRUa8/img.gif?width=980" id="c33a7" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="96e33ef88fe8d9f48cc6aca159626a44" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="480" data-height="400" />Smart Think About It GIF by FriendsGiphy<p>The same things that go wrong for most gifted kids: Gifted education doesn't deliver. I was head of every class I was in for the longest time, but giving the smart kid more of the same work doesn't teach them about being challenged. </p>"gifted and talented"Â
<p>Developed severe depression and didn't get help until after I had already failed pretty much all my classes for 3 years in a row and fallen behind, and then fell another year behind when I was in a long-term progress-based outpatient program getting treatment for my depression. Then, when I finally went back to school with my mental health in check, I had about a month of good grades and success before I started to develop major health problems. </p>Early On....
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTQ1NTY5MC9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMzkwMTMyOX0.7fBVI0H8k1fOLM6dA-kSlKQotuQoUW29wLNZMaJwM4A/img.gif?width=980" id="14637" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1a417c27d01b1b4c43368cbffc0c35e4" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="250" data-height="188" />life GIFGiphy<p>From a really early age i was considered a bright kid. Now when interacting with people in my daily life, it's generally understood that I come off as pretty smart, but i never had accomplishments that were consistent with that. </p>College Graduates That Discovered Their Majors Were Useless In The Real World Break Down What They Do Now
The real world is a harsh place. We don't learn that soon enough. When we're younger we believe everything is possible and whatever it is that we want to do for a living is going to be a success. So we head off to school to procure that dream and in school we learn all we can and the dream grows bigger.
Then a little while after graduation, many people realize, the dream is a fantasy and the major they chose maybe more problematic than bountiful. Not many companies are looking for experts in socioeconomic post Russian literature. So maybe a few plans.
Redditor u/Mahimah wanted the post college peeps out there to share with us, tell us which degrees may not be the most fruitful in the world. They asked.... College grads who discovered too late that your major is useless in the real world, what do you do now?Hospitality Days
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTQ1NTYyMS9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MjI4OTc1N30.zAUaff5TXrHYJcp-c2zymcGQHyPU03yVqW-0Aj42jjs/img.gif?width=980" id="683a4" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7c3c00252f80ea78b43d11a3ec000fbf" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="348" data-height="260" />diner dancing GIF by Justin TimberlakeGiphy<p>Working in a job I could've done with my high school degree and that I hate. 💔 </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ktjuuc/college_grads_who_discovered_too_late_that_your/gimlvy0?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Peaceuponfaith</a></p>Head Games
<p>Not exactly realized it was useless, just realized I couldn't do it. I was in Psychology. I went back to work for a while then ended up taking Computer Engineering and I'm now a software developer. I went back to school. The went back to work thing means in between I wasn't in school and was just working</p><p>I should add that job is what made me realize I should take Comp Eng. </p>The Writer
<p>I write emails for the functionally illiterate. I'm actually a personal assistant which is all you need to know. The only reason they'd pay me is the college degree and its name. I literally do get paid minimum wage but it's in a place where I can make that work with roommates. I don't know what else to say except I'm in the same place as so many! So don't be impressed. :)</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ktjuuc/college_grads_who_discovered_too_late_that_your/gimk71p?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">titscorcher</a></p>The Spotlight People....
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTQ1NTYyOS9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyODQ5NTAxMX0.7_z5ul2AVq7Egnm4HqMq7nB27qCy2jsOYm0q4GhGxTM/img.gif?width=980" id="6bc78" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5a610ce9cfe75ce71630d1399969dae0" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="500" data-height="500" />acting jon lovitz GIFGiphy<p>Studied performing arts (film, tv and theatre) at a decent university.</p><p>Was working in theatre until Covid hit.</p><p>Now I make youtube videos about MMO games and twitch stream Runescape.</p><p>I actually manage to survive doing this. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ktjuuc/college_grads_who_discovered_too_late_that_your/gin734u?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">JoshStrifeHayes</a><span></span></p>P & P
<p>Degree in psychology with a minor in philosophy. Realized I hated research 4th year in but grinded through and finished it. Currently in management in manufacturing. Wouldn't say the degree was useless as it helps me in my interactions with my workers and building a good culture. Don't ever think a degree is useless just because you don't get a job in your field. You build learning habits and study methods which can be applied to anything in the future so just keep that in mind and be positive! </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ktjuuc/college_grads_who_discovered_too_late_that_your/gin5ui7?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iny12</a><span></span></p>LIT....
<p>English Lit Major.</p><p>I'm a gate attendant. Graveyard shift. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ktjuuc/college_grads_who_discovered_too_late_that_your/gimqpi4?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">PM-your-reptile-pic</a></p><p>Have you considered writing content for websites? You know, the web pages that are really ads disguised as actual content that made the Internet a worse place. I hear the pay is OK, I would guess probably better than a gate attendants pay. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ktjuuc/college_grads_who_discovered_too_late_that_your/gindtc9?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">runaway-thread</a></p>No Regrets....
<p>I have a sociology degree! I don't think it's useless but many people do. I don't regret it. There's a decent amount of socially relevant marketable knowledge and skills.</p><p>I'm a healthcare worker and I love it. </p>Crap Start....
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTQ1NTY0OC9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MDEwMzk1M30.6PhZAyue_lAMpkHoZJTPmuPDlowi4Ax2gdONKB7i3e0/img.gif?width=980" id="eae20" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c96be4af1e134bc0b8cf83fbe234d47a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="500" data-height="282" />Episode 4 Hbo GIF by Curb Your EnthusiasmGiphy<p>Psychology major, got jobs in my field right out of school, but pay was pretty crap and no real room to move up without more school.</p><p>Went back and got my RN, made six figures straight out the door. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ktjuuc/college_grads_who_discovered_too_late_that_your/gimy4b0?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank"> theducker</a><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/theducker/" target="_blank"></a></p>3rd shift in....
<p>Got an English/Film Studies degree, now I work 3rd shift as a deli stocker at a local supermarket chain. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ktjuuc/college_grads_who_discovered_too_late_that_your/gimsisz?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Zharan_Colonel</a></p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ktjuuc/college_grads_who_discovered_too_late_that_your/gimsisz?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><span></span>I have the same degree. I'm a buyer and customer assistant for an independent hardware store.</p><p>When I was at school I wrote about film quite frequently. My English teacher told me I should pursue it as a career. </p>Teachers deserve more....
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTQ1NTY1NS9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1ODk3ODE3MH0.jo15GV-q-Orq-P9CKGDvBlGkXTrPuZFHM2MTnc9eWBc/img.gif?width=980" id="624c3" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4f57ca960c639a1c062ad483daf6ff63" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="400" data-height="225" />walton goggins hbo GIF by Vice Principals Giphy<p>I was originally majoring in earth and space science with a minor in education. </p>Public marriage proposals are such emotional events, even passersby stop what they are doing to applaud the presumably happy couple.
The Ring
<p>"I was dating a guy for two or three weeks (yes, weeks) and he proposed to me. With a ring he had bought for another woman. Which he told me as he was proposing. I said no and kind of slowly ghosted him because YIKES."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kr2vcc/women_who_got_proposed_to_but_rejected_it_why_and/gi7eusr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">thefiercestcalm</a><br></p>Wasn't A Joke
<p>"I guy a went on one date proposed to me because he wanted a green card. I thought he was joking at first. He wasn't. I said no and then goodbye forever"</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kr2vcc/women_who_got_proposed_to_but_rejected_it_why_and/gi8wqt4?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">azick545<br></a></p><p>"It was honestly hilarious. I was like at least put in some more effort, string me along, etc. But at least he made his feelings apparent quickly and I didn't have to worry anymore."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kr2vcc/women_who_got_proposed_to_but_rejected_it_why_and/gi9m7a1?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">azick545</a><br></p>If It Weren't For The Age Gap
<p>"The class was pretty laid back so we were all mostly comfortable with each other. Hanging out chatting after class one day and he gets my attention and says, very matter of fact 'we should get married, here's why' and proceeds to list several reasons why. Some of his reasons were- I could drive his Jeep any time I wanted. It was a brand new Rubicon and I had an older grand cherokee so obviously I love jeeps. I could play music as loud as I wanted any time of day, wouldn't bother him. We would never fight because he couldn't hear me anyway. He had a job, collected disability pay, and had his own home so I would never have to work. I always looked so interested in what he had to say. That one was him picking on me because he knew I didn't know sign language."</p><p>"He said it would be perfect. I agreed with him that it did sound pretty great, except for the fact that he was the same age as my dad and that was weird."</p>The Senior Player
<p>"92 yr old man at a nursing home used to ask me and every other woman to Marry him daily. Had this whole sweet old man line 'your the most beautiful woman I've ever seen' , I would reply 'I just heard you say the same thing to that nurse,' 'but you're prettier.' Made me smile everytime. He had forgotten he was already married."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kr2vcc/women_who_got_proposed_to_but_rejected_it_why_and/gi8br6l?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">damnit_jen</a><br></p>White Water Rafting Followed By A Proposal
<p>"A friend of mine in another city, had been trying to set me up with her male roommate. He, whom I had never met, had won tickets for white water rafting in BC... about 6 hours away for me, and 3 for him... we decided to do a weekend trip to meet (my friend insisted that he was cool... otherwise I never would have gone without knowing him for a while.<br>Anyways... I was *very* clear that we wouldn't be having sex, since we had just met, and he agreed, pointing out that he was strict Roman Catholic and would not have sex until married."</p><p>"First night we fooled around a bit, but nothing much.... went white water rafting the next day, had dinner and back to the room."<br></p><p>"He very excitedly tells me that he met a priest who was also staying at the hotel, and PROPOSES!!!! With complete seriousness!!"<br></p><p>"WTF!! Everything after that went rather poorly. He didn't understand why I wouldn't see him again after dropping him off at home."</p><p>"Did not change my life, other than have a good story...."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kr2vcc/women_who_got_proposed_to_but_rejected_it_why_and/gi8swi6?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DelicateIslandFlower</a><br></p>Sweet Little Suitors
<p>"I worked as a pre-k teaching assistant for a year. The head teacher was married so they called her Mrs. while I was not so they called me Ms. Eventually some of the kids noticed this difference and started asking why head teacher was Mrs. and I wasn't. We explained that she was married and I didn't have a husband. Upon hearing that one little boy loudly stated 'I will marry you! I want to be your husband!' I got 3 other proposals from 3 different 4 year olds that day. Definitely not a serious story, but one that always makes me smile :)"</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kr2vcc/women_who_got_proposed_to_but_rejected_it_why_and/gi9hutp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Careless-Shirt-5723</a><br></p>The Deadbeat
<p>"Okay, my first boyfriend. Started dating in high school, my end of 9th grade year, he was a senior. So he went off to college, lived 2 hours away. Cool, everything was cool. My junior year, he moves back to our hometown. Didn't talked about, I asked him about college. He just said he didn't want to go anymore, then I realize this guy can't commit to a job, like in high school I understood the slack. I ended things with him that summer before I went for my senior year."</p>There's something seeing a person litter that drives me up the wall. I remember being a kid and being explicitly told to hold on to my trash and not just throw it in the street. As a kid, I distinctly remember being made fun of for not just throwing the bag of chips I'd just eaten or an empty soda bottle into the gutter.
I can't imagine doing that. Why?! We truly treat this planet as if we have somewhere else to go.
After Redditor pnrddt asked the online community, "What small action immediately makes you dislike a stranger?" people shared their observations.