"Please fill out this information sheet," said the nurse. It had been several years since I had been to this hospital for a check-up. I noticed, with glee, they had done away with the plastic slippers at the genkan, where the masses had to leave their shoes in a locker and step into slippers before proceeding to the reception. Japanese people think nothing of putting their feet into slippers that millions of other feet had occupied over the years. Foreigners tend to think about all the foot fungus cultures growing happily in warm, dark, sweaty, plastic environments. Talk about multi-cultural slippers!
I wonder if dogs and cats have to put on slippers when they go to the vet?
But for whatever reason, perhaps plastic slipper budget cuts, or overflowing waiting rooms in the department of podiatry, the slippers and lockers were gone. May they rest in peace!