Now, you have created a dock to unload trucks of frustration (:
My pet hate is sniffling; it is a national sport. Also, people staying at the entrance upon entering the train with plenty of space inside. The first I try to ignore or wear headphones, for the second I PUSH because there are people behind me who also push.
My kryptonite is having a heavy smoker who clearly doesn’t have an interest in regular laundry washing, or personal grooming, and spends their evenings sitting in izakayas or pachinko parlors. It’s one of the few times I’ll actually get up and sit somewhere else. I’ll take the heavy perfume any day of the week over that.
Oh, my. Now, this is more like Sydney! Just about everything on Sydney trains drives me mad, like the nuisances you mentioned in your article, Gianni. I only like Sydney trains when they're close to empty (but not entirely empty, that would be too creepy).
Why is applying makeup (cosmetics) while on the train a bad thing? I enjoy watching others do their makeup while on the bus. It passes the time. I even learn a thing or two.
Japanese society traditionally values maintaining a clear boundary between one's public face (tatemae) and private self (honne). Grooming—especially something as personal as applying makeup—is considered part of your private routine and ideally done in a private space. Doing it in public, such as on a train, is seen as exposing something meant to be unseen.
Some people also perceive it as vain, lazy, or rushed—as if the person didn’t care enough to prepare at home. This can be interpreted as a lack of self-discipline or respect for social norms.
Applying makeup can involve powder, sprays, or strong scents. Even if unintended, this can affect people nearby in a confined, shared space like a train car. There's also concern about hygiene or particles—for example, someone might not want to inhale setting spray or get flecks of powder on their clothes.
This being Japan, the criticism is tied to social expectations around femininity, modesty, and how women should "compose" themselves. The act of putting on makeup is seen by some as a transformation that should happen out of sight, so revealing the “process” is considered unrefined or unbecoming.
In the end, some people simply find it awkward or unpleasant to watch others apply eyeliner or touch their face in a public setting, much like they might feel about nail clipping or flossing in public.
That said, not everyone in Japan is offended by it, and younger generations in particular tend to be more relaxed about these norms. But public transit companies, like Tokyo Metro, have even run ads gently reminding passengers not to apply makeup on the train, suggesting it's still widely considered poor etiquette.
I've learnt something. I forget about the cultural differences sometimes, but, yes, I can see how it can be seen as poor etiquette in Japanese society. Grooming in public would have been considered poor etiquette in the west by previous generations. Same with eating on the go, not taking the time to sit at your table to enjoy your meal, that sort of thing. Sometimes, countries like Australia are too loose with etiquette that it shouldn't surprise us when other nations see us as Bogans (rough and uncultured).
Yeah, sure. In summer, some people wear next to nothing - small tops, short-shorts, that kind of thing. Away from Sydney, in places like Byron Bay and Newcastle, you'll find people walking around in their bathers or bikinis in the supermarket, on the streets, sunbathing in the park, etc. We're pretty casual like that. Pretty casual about etiquette and things like 'respect' (don't get me started).
Now, you have created a dock to unload trucks of frustration (:
My pet hate is sniffling; it is a national sport. Also, people staying at the entrance upon entering the train with plenty of space inside. The first I try to ignore or wear headphones, for the second I PUSH because there are people behind me who also push.
People who take too much space on the seats deserve all my hate.
Pushing is good. With people who walk toward me with their nose buried in their smartphones, I lower my shoulder and hit them hard. Oops, sorry!
My kryptonite is having a heavy smoker who clearly doesn’t have an interest in regular laundry washing, or personal grooming, and spends their evenings sitting in izakayas or pachinko parlors. It’s one of the few times I’ll actually get up and sit somewhere else. I’ll take the heavy perfume any day of the week over that.
I know the type. Summertime is the worst for such kind of close encounters.
Oh, my. Now, this is more like Sydney! Just about everything on Sydney trains drives me mad, like the nuisances you mentioned in your article, Gianni. I only like Sydney trains when they're close to empty (but not entirely empty, that would be too creepy).
Why is applying makeup (cosmetics) while on the train a bad thing? I enjoy watching others do their makeup while on the bus. It passes the time. I even learn a thing or two.
Japanese society traditionally values maintaining a clear boundary between one's public face (tatemae) and private self (honne). Grooming—especially something as personal as applying makeup—is considered part of your private routine and ideally done in a private space. Doing it in public, such as on a train, is seen as exposing something meant to be unseen.
Some people also perceive it as vain, lazy, or rushed—as if the person didn’t care enough to prepare at home. This can be interpreted as a lack of self-discipline or respect for social norms.
Applying makeup can involve powder, sprays, or strong scents. Even if unintended, this can affect people nearby in a confined, shared space like a train car. There's also concern about hygiene or particles—for example, someone might not want to inhale setting spray or get flecks of powder on their clothes.
This being Japan, the criticism is tied to social expectations around femininity, modesty, and how women should "compose" themselves. The act of putting on makeup is seen by some as a transformation that should happen out of sight, so revealing the “process” is considered unrefined or unbecoming.
In the end, some people simply find it awkward or unpleasant to watch others apply eyeliner or touch their face in a public setting, much like they might feel about nail clipping or flossing in public.
That said, not everyone in Japan is offended by it, and younger generations in particular tend to be more relaxed about these norms. But public transit companies, like Tokyo Metro, have even run ads gently reminding passengers not to apply makeup on the train, suggesting it's still widely considered poor etiquette.
I've learnt something. I forget about the cultural differences sometimes, but, yes, I can see how it can be seen as poor etiquette in Japanese society. Grooming in public would have been considered poor etiquette in the west by previous generations. Same with eating on the go, not taking the time to sit at your table to enjoy your meal, that sort of thing. Sometimes, countries like Australia are too loose with etiquette that it shouldn't surprise us when other nations see us as Bogans (rough and uncultured).
I've never been to Australia so I can't say how barbaric you guys are, but Japan sometimes feels way too rigid.
Years ago, a friend said you could see people in central Sydney walking barefoot.
Yeah, sure. In summer, some people wear next to nothing - small tops, short-shorts, that kind of thing. Away from Sydney, in places like Byron Bay and Newcastle, you'll find people walking around in their bathers or bikinis in the supermarket, on the streets, sunbathing in the park, etc. We're pretty casual like that. Pretty casual about etiquette and things like 'respect' (don't get me started).
For me, not giving your seat to people in need is the worst.
The three witches of Macbeth taking a rest on the Yamanote Line
🤣 👏🏻