Many of you have asked how my height is working out in Japan and many of you know that I wear these Dansko shoes nearly everywhere I go.  They are very comfortable but do add additional height, making me precisely 182 cm tall.  (You can do the conversion.) Yes, that can present problems in Japan.  The biggest issue has been the metro subway.  Sometimes I read a book and lose track of time, or I nod off to sleep. Suddenly I realize that the train has arrived at my station and I pop up like toast in a toaster, bolt for the door, politely nod and mumble, Sumimasen, Sumimasen (excuse me, excuse me). But with each nod, my head thumps the overhead hand-holds. (Thump-thump-thump-thump)  So, most of the time I leave the train bent over in a feeble imitation of a Japanese bow.