Letter from Boston

Vending Machines

By MASAKO YAMADA

During the summer months, the cafeteria in my building is shut down. Some of the other cafeterias on campus remain open, but even they usually close in the early afternoon. There are still quite a few students on campus, however, and they are known to get hungry at strange times. For this reason, the vending machines on campus seem particularly useful during the summer. Whenever I go to the vending machine, it seems like there's always somebody else there.

Ironically, the vending machines in my building are located right next to the cafeteria. The cafeteria sells similar drinks and snacks (as well as pastries, salads, soups and sandwiches), so it would seem that when the cafeteria is open, the vending machines would not be considered so useful. This is not the case, however: Some people like the convenience of the machines. Others get hungry after the cafeteria is closed.

Most of the vending machines I've seen in the States are located inside private buildings, such as schools, tennis clubs and ice-skating rinks. The machines basically enable these places to serve simple food without hiring people to handle the money. Vending ma chines are faster for private customers, but they are not particularly useful to the general public. I rarely see vending machines outdoors or inside large public buildings such as bus stations or train stations.

I'm always surprised by the selection of things I see sold in vending machines in Japan: juices, canned coffee, canned soups, milk, alcohol, cigarettes, rice. Even more surprising, the vending machines seem to be on every street corner!! Undoubtedly, part of the reason this is possible is because petty theft and vandalism are not as common in Japan as in the States. It's true that there are quite a few newspaper vending machines on the streets of Boston, but they are not exactly enticing targets for vandals.

Another problem in the States is related to selling alcohol and cigarettes to minors. Of course, minors aren't supposed to buy alcohol and cigarettes in Japan either, but stores in the States are obligated by law not to provide these products to minors, and many store owners take these laws seriously. They can be fined, sued or have their licenses suspended if they don't follow the rules. I remember trying to buy some beer for my parents when I was very young and being turned away. Even though I'm 25 now, I still have to show my ID every time I buy alcohol. Given this, it's no big surprise that alcohol and cigarettes are not sold on the streets.

I think another reason vending machines are not found outdoors is because they are an eyesore. Many people in the States are very particular about how their cities look, and there are often strict zoning rules dictating what can be placed on public property.

I can imagine many people not being happy with large, red Coke machines outside their doorstep, or with the large number of people likely to congregate around it. There have also been accidents in which vending machines have fallen on top of people, and the liability issues arising from such a case are understandably complex.

Given these drawbacks, it's not too surprising that vending machines are usually treated carefully and kept indoors. I know that Boston University maintains the vending machines in my building, since I called an on-campus hotline when a bag of potato chips that I'd bought got stuck in the machine.

The man in charge took down the complaint as if it were a police report ("When did this happen?" "What was the code number of the machine?" "What got stuck?") and then promised to send me a refund. Sure enough, I got a check for $1 (¥120) from BU a couple of days later.

I was impressed with the professional service. It helped me remember that there are many complex issues surrounding these personless stores.

Shukan ST: July 30, 1999

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