Sorry, 'bout that

   Only in Japan do the trains and buses pass out apologies when they are late. 

   You can take these slips of paper, called chien shômeisho (遅延証明書) to your workplace, school, or even your parol officer and they'll forgive your tardiness. Make sure, of course, that they are stamped with the proper date.

   The above paper says, "The train on which the passenger was riding was delayed ... minutes. Today the train was late causing trouble and inconvenience." That's our friend meiwaku about which I have already written. If I can teach you anything about dealing with the Japanese, by all means avoid causing meiwaku.

   Note: "This paper does not entitle passengers for compensation in the event that the delay caused damage." Damn!