point card system

Like anyone who's been in Japan for awhile, my wallet is full to bursting with point cards. In fact, I even started a separate wallet just to keep all the cards that I don't use on a nearly-daily basis.

A guy I know is a movie buff and we talk about films sometimes. He recommended that I get a cinema point card, saying that it was worthwhile.

I do go to a lot of movies, often at the same theater, so I paid the ¥1000 joining fee and signed up for one a few weeks ago. Since they give you 2000 points as a sign up bonus and 1000 points per movie, I immediately had 3000 points. They also gave me my friend's points since he didn't have a point card. Up to 4000. It's 6000 points to a free movie. Since I've been to three movies this month, I'm already up for a free one.

Added bonus: 10% off at Haagen Dazs.

Also, I never pay the full ¥1800 price for a movie. Late show is only ¥1200, which is what I usually do. Ladies' day (Wednesday at my theater) lets you in for ¥1000. Couples' day (the 22nd, or ふうふう、which I learned tonight is a 語呂合わせ, or pun) also lets ya in for ¥1000 yen apiece though they aren't hip to the gay. There are other discounts for those who are seniors or are in possession of a studnuddy.

Tonight in Japanese class my classmate Wave came in late. He said that he had been riding his bicycle to the Citizens' Forum and was stopped three times in an hour by the police, interrogating him and asking for his gaijin card. The first time he thought it was strange, the second time he was irritated, and the third time just plain angry. "Do I look like a thief?" he asked us.

He gets stopped all the time. My sister used to get stopped constantly when she lived here too. I know that bike checks are something that the cops get up to sometimes, but it certainly seems like some people get stopped WAY more than others.

I think the cops should issue a point card, and you should get a stamp every time you're harassed without having done anything wrong. And when you fill it up, you should get a year without harassment, or a medal, or a gift certificate for a free dinner or something.