Why I hate shopping for clothes in Japan

1. Clothes are so expensive here
2. The largest size in women's clothing stores is usually a size 6 (UK 10 / EUR 40)
3. The largest size is often not on display, but hidden in the stock room
4. To get a "large" size, you have to ask for help from a tiny sales assistant
5. She usually approaches you first and asks you if she can get an "EXTRA LARGE" for you
6. Everyone in the shop looks round to see who the "fatty" is (or is it my paranoia?)
7. Even if this giant garment fits you, the arms will be too short and it will gape around the bosom
8. You leave the shop feeling like an enormous foreign monster
9. If you didn't have body insecurities before you go to Japan, you sure will have them when you get there

David (who is 6ft 5 inches tall) tells me that I should be pleased that I can actually buy things here at all.

I can't wait to go shopping in California this Christmas.