First and foremost, I'm working off of Japanese stereotypes here. Old leathery skinned men, who have beards, smoke and drink sake from paper boxes are typically thought to be winos. Old leathery skinned men, who have beards, smoke drink sake from boxes, smell like a dumpster and have bags of old magazines are typically regarded as homeless or homeless winos.

In front of Yodobashi Camera in Osaka, there are at least 15 or more of these types waiting in line. The youngest looks to be fifty. They are all grouped together in a line that goes form otaku, otaku, otaku, old man, old man, old man, old man, otaku, otaku, otaku. They stick out. Bad. A nearby tree, three of them congregate, talking to the others in line.

I approach one in line.

ME: "What are you waiting for?"
OLD MAN: "Dunno."
ME: "Are you waiting for the PS3?"
OLD MAN: "Dunno."
ME: "Are you going to buy it?"

He looks at me hard, mumbles to himself and turns away. I try to press him, and he starts getting annoyed, telling me to leave him alone. Perhaps he just hasn't shaved. Or showered. Perhaps he has grandchildren. Perhaps he loves Sony with all his heart. But remember: If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it just might be a homeless wino waiting in line to buy a PS3. Brian Ashcraft

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