Sleeping While Standing On Subway Trains

As a society, the Japanese people are gifted with the talent of being able to fall asleep while standing on subway trains. Certain Manhattan dwellers can do the same, but such behavior is not advisable in New York City due to the fact that you might awake with someone else's hand in your pocket (with the rest of the body attached or not) or with an inebriated elderly person snuggling up under the assumption that you are the bride of his youth. I digress, as usual.

Recently, my wife and I had some Japanese friends stay at our home. They were visiting from Tokyo and, as these things tend to happen, we got to conversing about the unusual and admirable sleeping habits of the Japanese. The visiting husband said that the Japanese have perfected the art of cat-napping in any and all situations. He then went on to say that they could even do it during lulls in conversations.

That's a wonderful idea.

If you notice someone drop off during a lull in the conversation, don't hold it against them - just understand that they are being wise stewards of their time and begin your next sentence by bellowing sharply in their ear.