To Bisphenol Or Not To Bisphenol

Story #2 from Japan, Anxiety, and Me.

Hotto Motto.

Queuing up to place my order, I’m reflecting on the exact item I want for dinner. As my hunger is light, a single chicken katsu will do. I’m lucky: I’m the third-to-last customer in the line.

Which means?

I have plenty of time to rehearse the bits of Japanese I’ll need to make the upcoming conversation smooth and enjoyable for both sides. Problem. The last customer being decisive, I’m already on stage.

(For the reader’s convenience, the following discussion is in English.)

“Welcome! What would you like to order?”

“Hello! One chicken katsu please.”

“One chicken katsu,” he repeats, typing on his register before adding, “Anything else?”

“Only this, thank you.”

“Understood. So, it will be ¥890. How do you want to pay?”

“I will pay by…”

Ahhhh, how should I pay?? I do have a bit of cash and my credit card is easily reachable so that could be it but… if I use any of these, their machine will print a ticket. I don’t want a ticket. I don’t need a ticket. Plus, trees need to be saved. To avoid this, I need to use PayPay.

“I will use P — ”

Ahhhh but… I didn’t open the app! This means, I’ll need to grab my phone, unlock it, look for the app, open it, and find the hard-to-reach button that gives access to the QR code scanner. Only then will I be able to proceed with the payment. That’s too long! I won’t bear making him wait this much. Also, if I’m unlucky, the app may require an update. And an update also means a restart. That’s definitely a no-go.

“Um… you will pay with?”

Noooo! He’s already waiting, that’s not good! I’ll pay by cash. Gah, but the trees! Think of the trees! Isn’t it wiser to bear making him wait and not end up with a ticket that will never be used? Or, should I shorten his waiting time and go with the cash option to make his day better but at the cost of a tree’s life? No, no, no, I’ll use PayPay. I’ll take the bet that I won’t be unlucky.

I reach for my phone and timidly add “Ah, sorry. I want to use Pay — ”

Wait… is the PayPay option really that superior? Yes, it won’t print this bisphenol-free receipt I never use, but what about the energy consumption involved in storing my data? There’s a chance it already outweighs the cons of printing a never-to-be-used receipt and —

“You’ll pay with PayPay?” he asks with insistence.
“I’ll pay by cash!!” I reply out of the blue, surprising both him and me.

He hands me the receipt and a numbered paper. I sit alongside the other customers, waiting for my order to be prepared while still weighing the pros and cons of choosing either way of payment.

I hear a voice resonating in the cramped shop: “Customer number 32!”

Looking at my paper, I discover it’s me. I stand up and head towards the pick-up counter. I witness the staff putting my plastic container in a plastic bag, all while extending his arm to reach for the single-use chopsticks from his work area.

I freeze. I realize I forgot to tell him I don’t need chopsticks.

I always use the ones I have at home. It’s too late now. He’s already holding the plastic wrapping that contains the wooden chopsticks as well as a wooden toothpick I never use. Stopping it while he’s in the middle of this action is not harmonious at all. Also, it shows an indecisive aspect of my personality that should no longer be part of it.

I must accept the chopsticks.

The staff hands me my order “Here it is for you. Thank you very much.”

I raise my hand to seize the crinkling plastic bag, and thank the staff by tilting my head only a tiny tad — as going lower would be too polite and create discomfort.

On my way back home, I reflect on what happened and rehearse how I should behave to make the next visit pleasant for the staff, the planet, and of course, me.

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