special attitudes

[sheb]

Which are the worst things one can do in Japan? What one should never do? ... and how to "handle" Japanese people who visit western countries? In how far they try to adapt to the western culture?

[Sorros]

Put sugar and milk on your rice.

[sheb]

... what about the Asian/Japanese kindness? How can one realize whether it's just out of kindness or not?

[Nina]

... what about the Asian/Japanese kindness? How can one realize whether it's just out of kindness or not?

If it is just out of kindness, it`s ok I guess. Do you mean, what if you do something totally wrong, but somebody pretends that it is OK? How would you react if some stranger does something completely `strange`, because he doesn`t know better? Probably just smile and keep on going.

[ninjandrew]

If it is just out of kindness, it`s ok I guess. Do you mean, what if you do something totally wrong, but somebody pretends that it is OK? How would you react if some stranger does something completely `strange`, because he doesn`t know better? Probably just smile and keep on going.

The Japanese are notorious for this. One thing that you shouldnt do (its not really offensive, just really weird) is put soya sauce on your rice, which is common here. You wont be able to tell by their reactions though, because they hide them.

Other no-nos: Sticking your chopsticks in your rice upright (and leaving them there). Wearing your shoes into someones house past the porch, even in schools and many office buildings, there are guest "indoor" shoes to wear. Dont confuse them with Koreans, or vice versa, they get quite offended. Eating while you walk is considered weird. The Japanese never tip or give money to panhandlers, but the might do so here, knowing that its what we do.

I would suggest getting a book (library?), the culture is so different Im still learning new things. Its endless...

[Jeff C.]

Anyone who is reasonable from ANY culture will cut some slack to someone who is not familiar with their culture. If the Japanese person you are around likes you and knows you, they will help educate you - just like if the roles were reversed.

I have found that some of the "no-no's" that we hear about are violated by some Japanese themselves, in their own country, for instance, you "should not" walk around town eating, drinking, and/or smoking - you should stop, have your cigarette or food/drink, then move on. However, in the big cities I have been to in Japan, you can see countless younger people moving around town eating, drinking, and smoking.

Not blowing your nose in public is kind of nasty too. I had a really really bad sinus infection last time I was there. At one point I ran out of tissues. I ducked behind some cover to wipe my nose with a paper towel. One of the Japanese translators working with us came around into my hiding spot, and she gave me some tissues. Reasonable people of ANY culture realize that you cannot walk around with snot on your face.

Jeff Cook

[Nina]

One thing that you shouldnt do (its not really offensive, just really weird) is put soya sauce on your rice, which is common here.

But they use soya sauce, don`t they?

Reasonable people of ANY culture realize that you cannot walk around with snot on your face.

[ninjandrew]

Yes, the Japanese sure love their tissues. They hand them out for free all over the place with little ads in them.

Alot of Japanese food does have soya sauce in it. But they use it more more cooking than for dumping on food, especially rice. One reason for this is that Japanese rice is sticky so its easier to pick up with chopsticks, soya sauce would wet it enough that it wouldnt stick together very much. Sushi dabbed in soya sauce is pretty common.

[P Goldsbury]

Which are the worst things one can do in Japan? What one should never do? ... and how to "handle" Japanese people who visit western countries? In how far they try to adapt to the western culture?

Are you planning to visit the country, by the way? I suppose we in Japan could ask you the same question. How would you "handle" visting Japanese SK instructors or kenshi? How far would you expect them to adapt to German culture?

I think Mr Cook's response pretty well covers it. One thing that some foreigners find irksome here is having to carry their foreign registration card with them 'at all times'. Occasionally they are stopped by zealous police officers and asked to produce it. However, this has never happened to me in all the time I have lived here.

Best wishes,

Peter Goldsbury