Cleanliness and safety were the things I noticed most about Japan when I went (about 30 years ago - yikes!). I don't think compliancy is a bad thing - it shows that people understand that rules are there for a reason and, ultimately, it means that you respect and care for your environment.
Absolutely agree with that. There are times I wish the Japanese showed more independence of thought and critical sense (in politics, for instance) but I guess we can't have both.
When in Japan a young man who took us on a tour said that due to the enormous population and very small amount of land, rules are necessary and they MUST be followed or there would be chaos. The rules were not onerous at all and I agree that it is necessary. Imagine the numbers of people at Tokyo railway stations and linking stations if there was no unspoken rule that everyone walk with a certain amount of space around them at the same speed? In ANY other country, there would be chaos and people being knocked over. We can all learn so much from the manners of the Japanese.
It's true. Years ago, an Italian journalist who worked as a Japan correspondent said that if Rome had the same population as Tokyo it would turn into another Calcutta.
I was talking to a U.S.A. neighbor about the very different customs in Japan that a traveler might not be aware of. She told me she went on a trip through Japan while suffering from bad allergies and blowing her nose the whole way. Only after she returned home did she learn that blowing your nose in public is considered to be very rude!
A book about Japan which I enjoyed many years ago is "The Kimono Mind." Some funny observations!
Yes, if you blow your nose, you should do it discretely. On the other hand, not few Japanese think nothing of sniffing, sniffling or snorting. They keep doing it for hours. It's very irritating.
Cleanliness and safety were the things I noticed most about Japan when I went (about 30 years ago - yikes!). I don't think compliancy is a bad thing - it shows that people understand that rules are there for a reason and, ultimately, it means that you respect and care for your environment.
Absolutely agree with that. There are times I wish the Japanese showed more independence of thought and critical sense (in politics, for instance) but I guess we can't have both.
Love this! — have posted a few vignettes about taking my dog to Japan for heart surgery and commented on some of the signage :))
Thanks Ethan, I've just read your beautiful piece about Newton and Rami.
Thank you! looking forward to reading more of your essays - here’s the one with the signage : I’m aware I my observations are amateur … best Ethan
https://open.substack.com/pub/ethanchorin/p/yokohama-city-of-small-dogs?r=fuoi1&utm_medium=ios
When in Japan a young man who took us on a tour said that due to the enormous population and very small amount of land, rules are necessary and they MUST be followed or there would be chaos. The rules were not onerous at all and I agree that it is necessary. Imagine the numbers of people at Tokyo railway stations and linking stations if there was no unspoken rule that everyone walk with a certain amount of space around them at the same speed? In ANY other country, there would be chaos and people being knocked over. We can all learn so much from the manners of the Japanese.
It's true. Years ago, an Italian journalist who worked as a Japan correspondent said that if Rome had the same population as Tokyo it would turn into another Calcutta.
I was talking to a U.S.A. neighbor about the very different customs in Japan that a traveler might not be aware of. She told me she went on a trip through Japan while suffering from bad allergies and blowing her nose the whole way. Only after she returned home did she learn that blowing your nose in public is considered to be very rude!
A book about Japan which I enjoyed many years ago is "The Kimono Mind." Some funny observations!
Yes, if you blow your nose, you should do it discretely. On the other hand, not few Japanese think nothing of sniffing, sniffling or snorting. They keep doing it for hours. It's very irritating.
Rules give structure, in life and in art. And yes, as Margaret says, they're a mark of respect and care.
This is why we live here. Safe and clean. As for the signs I learnt to tell the real from not. If you are a walker or a hiker, you know too. Probably.