Purikura? Purikura is a term of Japanese origin meaning either a photo sticker booth or the product of such a photo booth. Now what is so appealing about taking pictures in a booth? Why not go outside with your friends? There is a mystique, ambiance, magical feel that an Asian receives from using a touch screen to decorate their own pictures. It’s fun adding a flower or star to their best friend’s face. Asians spend hours decorating their pictures, and then they are printed and stuck onto things.
Why else take photo booth pictures? Anonymity. You can get away with anything in a photo booth. No body knows what’s happening. It’s a babe magnet. If you care that much about your looks that you would spend hours adding effects, why wouldn’t an equally image-conscience person want to spend time with you? It’s a win win situation.
However, most Asian people will never lie about wanting to be Japanese. Who wouldn’t want to be able to read a good manga in its purest form. (Though the syntax is quite different) Did I mention that Asian people love to watch Japanese cartoons? This plays on the fact that Asian people love Japan! How much more Japanese is Purikura!?
“If you find yourself in an awkward silence with white people, just mention how you want to go to Japan. They will immediately begin talking about how their trip to Japan, or their favorite stuff from Japan, but it will be entirely about them. This is useful as you no longer have to talk, and they will like you for letting them talk about themselves. ” -Stuff White People Like
If you ever hang out with asian people, this is not an entirely new topic. Asians love to take pictures with their friends. It is evident in the elders and younger generations. At a restaurant, you will always first hear “3, 2, 1…” from asians. The sentimentality of the moment is too important to outweigh the obvious. (eating one’s food). To asians, pictures may mean even more than a thousand words. They connect people, and hold so many secrets. Remember the next time you see a photo booth to enter it. You too can experience Purikura!
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9 responses so far ↓
1 Chinkygirl // Feb 26, 2008 at 3:35 pm
i used to be addicted to these…this is the big thing in Asia, what about those glossed out asian photos in the malls? $15 for a package and you split it up with your friends
2 Jen // Mar 14, 2008 at 8:09 pm
If your looking for an actual store for these photo stickers and are in the Los Angeles area check out Pixel Memory Studio at 2130 Sawtelle Blvd. Lots of purikura machines!!
3 Jimmy // Apr 12, 2008 at 1:32 pm
HAHA that’s at CUE at Rowland Heights!!!
4 Marilyn // Apr 28, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Is that guy in the sticky pics Arthur Semotan? Arthur, is that you?
5 von // Jun 4, 2008 at 10:20 pm
oh i no tat store. i went there be4. osm place… cue…
6 Ray // Jun 23, 2008 at 4:27 am
it’s funny. I never heard the term Purikura before, until i saw this website. When i saw the phrase “Purikura picture” I somehow knew EXACTLY what it was talking about. Seems like every okinawan girl likes it. Even american serviceman who aren’t of asian decent are getting in on the act if they happen to be dating an okinawan. back in california, i can say this stereotype is true.
7 rosa // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:35 am
haha i like the japanese culture of purikura, i’ve even lived there, but not all japanese people are obsessed with manga and anime, and neither am i. purikura is too expensive to take where i am now its 16 DOLLARS now, in japan it was only 400 YEN (4 dollars)
8 emily // Jan 31, 2009 at 11:59 am
those example pictures look like chinese fake purikura….
9 STICKi PICi // Mar 12, 2009 at 3:16 pm
check out our Purikura app for the iPhone!
http://www.STICKiPICi.com
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