morganacademyfp

I'm not into phone-in programmes, but sometimes hear them if the radio happens to be switched on.
The usual thing is, "Hello, David. How are you today?" "I'm fine, Sheila, how's yourself?" "Oh, I'm good, thanks. Now then, what...." and so on.
The other morning, however, some old dear had an alternative reply.

"Hello, Sadie, and how are you today?" "Oh, not too good, Julie, I've just had a dose of diarrhoea !"
And this at breakfast-time!!!!

A good reason to avoid phone-ins, Jester!

This morning I listened to one of Radio 4's half-hour programmes that they do so well - Mastering the Art of the Kimono. The presenter was in Kyoto, and found out all about kimonos, from weaving the cloth to the art of putting on the kimono correctly. I do a lot of sewing and found it fascinating, but of course the traditional kimono is dying out.

Sorry to contradict you, Kate, and the radio presenter who should get out a bit more or has only been in Japan for a week, but whilst the kimono is no longer the daily choice of dress for the Japanese female, go to any railway station, at any time, and you will see a kimono. It is still more popular than the wearing of the kilt, for example, as a national dress. Every child goes to the temple to receive a blessing from the Buddhist priest when he or she is 100 days old, and then when 3, 5, and 7 years old. At these time all main female family members are dressed in the kimono. At graduation from high school and university all the girls come dressed to the nines, in their kimonos. And, of course, the big one, the weddings, not only are the ladies in their kimonos, the men are in their morning suits, although top hats are optional, but white gloves are worn. The groom will wear morning suit and change into his hakama, a male type of kimono, and the bride will go from white bridal dress to kimono.
I seem to have gone on for longer than normal, for which I appologise, but I hope this make current life in Japan a little clearer.

I'm glad to hear that kimonos are still part of Japanese life!