The Japanese are born Shinto, marry Christian, divorce quickly, work at Honda or at home and die very, very old.
Ten years ago you could have added that they shop like demons, but a hat-trick of recessions since then makes it obvious the Japanese have lost the yen to spend. But the need to go into a department store and be seen is still part of the ritual of daily life.
For many decades shopping was a religion to the Japanese, and while their faith may be shaken, they still visit the cathedrals of their commercial beliefs - or at least half the population does.
Men tend to shy away from the cavernous interiors of Japanese department stores the way an atheist might hesitate at the door of a church or temple, and some recoil in horror.
This is not a sexist observation, but traditionally men carry little money. Their salaries are handed over to their partner and they are given just enough for their daily needs - a bowl of noodles and two cups of coffee. These normally cost 1,000 yen (HK$60), hence their nickname - thousand yen men.
The wives are, or once were, the big spenders. Their purses may be less heavy, but the department stores know that they are all that stands between them and the wrecker's ball.
