One evening recently there was a couple on the train, probably aged in their 30’s, who were really going at it - kissing and feeling each other up like there was no one else around. At one point the woman’s watch popped off and went flying!

I started to wonder whether I found this public display repulsive because it was just plain over the top by most people’s standards or whether I’ve been spending too much time around Japanese couples who at most hold hands in public.

On the same subject, the other day I attended a gathering and there was a young Japanese girl with her English boyfriend. Even though we weren’t in Japan I was still surprised to see them kissing and holding each other’s behinds. Westernisation at work?