It's been a mix for me. One time I accidentally lost my paper ticket for the metro before I had gotten a Suica, and an older gentleman hanging out with friends near the ticket gates went and bought a new ticket outside for me to put into the reader so it'd let me out.

On the other hand, I've met a plethora of young people who've become friends I meet and stay in touch with.

You can be friends with old people too :p

Heh, fair enough! Can't say that opportunity has quite presented itself yet but one of these days I'm sure it'll happen.

Honestly the funniest experience I had with culture clash was one day at a hotel I stayed at in Takasaki. I got in an elevator occupied by a young family. As soon as I walked in, the little girl, maybe 6 or 7 years old, just dropped her mouth open, completely gaping at me the whole time we rode the elevator.

Probably not too surprising, assuming they're from Gunma or a similar prefecture that doesn't see as many foreigners.

>Not sure how much of that is older people just being happier in general.

That's the vibe I've been getting which did come as a surprise. I think the movies I watched (both Hollywood and Japanese) do a disservice to them - especially the ojiisan's.