Japan Expo

I have no idea who these people are

I’ve been to a few Comicon exhibitions in Birmingham. They are great fun. The Japan Expo in Paris is like Comicon but bigger. Much bigger. It was so big that it was much more fun to be at. Comicon at the NEC in Birmingham is nice, but later in the day it seems to “fill up” so that there is no room around the stalls and you can’t find anywhere to sit once you’ve bought a drink. Japan Expo is much bigger but the space available is enormous. Things got busy but nothing seemed to completely clog up. Also (and this is a tip for the NEC folks) the bins were kept empty and the toilets were always clean, which adds a lot. We bought a few bits and bobs and had a whale of a time. I really, and I mean really, want to go back next year if they have another one.

A guide to Paris waiters:

  1. They are amazing. Fast moving, polite and they never write anything down.

  2. They may have lots of tattoos. But usually only on one arm. This is so that they can stand sideways at the entrance to the restaurant and wave at you to come in without looking too scary.

  3. They will always try to carry one more plate than you think is possible. And they will succeed.

  4. They make everything a performance. In England you are usually given your knife, fork, and napkin as one rolled package that you have to unpick yourself. In France each item will be individually positioned in front of you. We had to try very hard not to say “merci” for each item of cutlery as it was laid down with a flourish. Drinks are served in a similarly complicated manner.

  5. Whatever you choose from the menu tends to be their favourite too, which is lovely.