I just finished reading parts I and II. The guy who wrote it seems OK; he just had too much to drink one night and things got out of hand.
Maybe a better way to put “don’t be an asshole” is “don’t lose control of yourself” while in Japan. Keep your cool if someone pushes you too hard getting out of a train. Brush off any sideways glances or insults to your heritage delivered to your face or under someone’s breath as you pass by. Standing up for your pride isn’t worth the consequences.
I can think of many occasions when I could have made the wrong choice and ended up in prison like that guy. Luckily, I’m what some would call a wimp, only I’m might proud of it. It takes a lot of strength to not give into anger, even if that strength isn’t widely recognized.
