I’m always amused the way the Japanese love dividing themselves into groups using the word ha, which means “faction,” as in, say, different factions of a certain political party. Men might have a discussion about which of them is buriifu-ha and which are torankusu-ha, debating the benefits of membership in the “briefs faction” vs. the “trunks faction” with respect to underwear. Japanese will have these discussions online, too, asking docchi-ha? (“which faction do you belong to?”) about such pressing issues as which is better, instant ramen or udon noodles or Asahi vs. Kirin beer. Another hot point of contention involves people who like soy sauce dolloped over their fried eggs, and those who prefer the Bull-Dog sauce that’s usually known as “sauce” in Japanese. While I’m usually a card-carrying member of the “sauce-ha” faction, enjoying Bull-Dog sauce on just about any food (especially fried croquettes, yum), I do find myself reaching for soy sauce when it comes to fried eggs. Which “faction” are you?
I regularly embarrass myself asking for soy sauce when in Denny’s in the U.S.
