NationStates Jolt Archive

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080606/ap_on_fe_st/odd_japan_pricey_melon;_ylt=AiwAtoaFRsBNjug1NgMAS3AZ.3QA

Us$ 6,100 for a watermelon... Wow. Did anyone ever eat these watermelons?

To be fair, I don't understand why some people spend millions on paintings. I guess that if you're interested in it, then it'll always be more valuable to you than others.

To be fair, I don't understand why some people spend millions on paintings. I guess that if you're interested in it, then it'll always be more valuable to you than others.

True enough, true enough...

This is just absurd (not you, Heikoku). Seriously. What does that melon have on the inside, diamonds? I'm appalled.

This is just absurd (not you, Heikoku). Seriously. What does that melon have on the inside, diamonds? I'm appalled.

Yes, but why would it be worth that much if it had diamonds inside? They are, ultimately, just rocks.

This is just absurd (not you, Heikoku). Seriously. What does that melon have on the inside, diamonds? I'm appalled.

Well, to be fair, I AM absurd... ;)

Yes, but why would it be worth that much if it had diamonds inside? They are, ultimately, just rocks.

Yeah, yeah, all value is subjective, we get it. ;)

Yeah, yeah, all value is subjective, we get it. ;)

...well what more are you expecting from this thread?

Yes, but why would it be worth that much if it had diamonds inside? They are, ultimately, just rocks.

:p
I can't understand why someone would spen so much money on a melon. What's so special about that melon? Does it grant a cure to cancer or eternal life? I know I sound silly, but I can't quite out my mind around the absurdity of spending $23,000+ on a melon. Just because it's color and taste? It's just cantaloupe!:eek:

...well what more are you expecting from this thread?

Well...

Did you like the "suikawari" joke? :p

They taste pretty good actually, not nearly as good as the watermelons from my town of course, but still a lot better than the ones back home.

As to why they are so expensive, they're a status symbol and Japanese set a great deal by something that is rare and perfect in form, especially a natural form.

They taste pretty good actually, not nearly as good as the watermelons from my town of course, but still a lot better than the ones back home.

As to why they are so expensive, they're a status symbol and Japanese set a great deal by something that is rare and perfect in form, especially a natural form.

I enjoy and admire the Japanese culture, but they ARE gonna EAT it, right? :p

I enjoy and admire the Japanese culture, but they ARE gonna EAT it, right? :p
Possibly not. Something like that would probably be displayed in a tokonoma or given as a gift.

Possibly not. Something like that would probably be displayed in a tokonoma or given as a gift.

Well, I guess it makes sense. Western millionaires show off their trophy wives's melons, Japanese ones show off their room's watermelons. ;)

Well, I guess it makes sense. Western millionaires show off their trophy wives's melons, Japanese ones show off their room's watermelons. ;)

:p

Well, I guess it makes sense. Western millionaires show off their trophy wives's melons, Japanese ones show off their room's watermelons. ;)
Well, the lack of the one must be made up by the other. ;)

Well, the lack of the one must be made up by the other. ;)

Demo, shirikon wa nihon ni aru... ;)

Demo, shirikon wa nihon ni aru... ;)
Not NEARLY as prevalent though.

Not NEARLY as prevalent though.

Wakatta.

(Question, I heard that the informal version -ru should be used when in writing. Is that true? Or should I be using -masu all along? o_O)

Wakatta.

(Question, I heard that the informal version -ru should be used when in writing. Is that true? Or should I be using -masu all along? o_O)
Depends upon to whom are you writing to. Emailing a friend or a forum post, plain (ru) form is fine. A more formal setting would require masu form.

Depends upon to whom are you writing to. Emailing a friend or a forum post, plain (ru) form is fine. A more formal setting would require masu form.

Thanks. So I'll continue using -ru when pretending I know Japanese here. :p