★ Little Sunshine's Wonderland ★

: Hey Phil: Have you ever been to a Japanese public bath? I hear it's quite an experience.

Phil: Yes, and what an experience.

Nate: What do you mean?

Phil: Well, it's nothing like visiting a swimming pool in the States.

Nate: Well, what do you do when you go to a public bath?

Phil: First, you take off your shoes before you enter.

Nate: Okay.

Phil: Then, you pay an entrance fee to the man or woman at the front counter. [Um-huh]. Next, you get undressed in the dressing room. And I was very surprised . . . and a little embarrassed to see that the woman who took my money was sitting on a platform where she had a clear view of the men's side of the dressing room. Really? This allows the workers to keep an eye on the patrons' belongings while they are in the bath.

Nate: Wow. And do you wear a bathing suit or something?

Phil: Oh no! You don't wear anything. Then you go into the main bathing area and wash your body while sitting on a small stool about 40 centimeters high.

Nate: On a stool!?

Phil: Yeah. It was really hard getting used to bathing in that position. Sometimes, even, people wash each other's backs.

Nate: Oh really. So, what do you do after that?

Phil: Well, after you've rinsed off all the soap, they usually have two or three large baths where you can soak for a while.

Nate: Do you actually share the bath with other people?

Phil: Yeah. Traditionally, the bath played an important role in the community. It gave neighbors an opportunity to socialize while bathing.

Nate: Huh. Interesting.

Phil: When you're all done bathing, people relax in the dressing room by watching TV, drinking tea or juice, or talking to friends. It's quite an experience.

Vocabulary,

• platform (noun): a raised area where you can sit
  - The members of the local government were sitting on a platform overlooking the audience.

• clear (adjective): not blocked or covered
  

• patron (noun): customer or visitor
  - Patrons are asked not to eat or drink in the art gallery.

• belongings (noun): possessions
  - Please do not leave your belongings unattended while in the amusement park.

• stool (noun): a small chair often made of wood or plastic
  - The young boy sat on a stool as he shined by shoes.

• rinse (off) (phrasal verb): remove soap or dirt from something using water
  - Please rinse off before you get in the swimming pool.

• soak (soak): leave something in water or other liquid for a period of time
  - I enjoy soaking in the tub to relax and forget about the worries of the day.

• socialize (verb): to talk to or associate with others in a friendly manner
  - I'm having a pool party this weekend as a way of socializing with some of new neighbors.

• "take a bath" = lose money
  - "His family business took a real wash when the giant superstore moved into town."

• "doesn't/won't wash" = used to say that you don't believe someone's explanation or attitude about something
  - "Your excuse that your dog ate your homework won't wash with the teacher."