Don't push me cause I'm close to the edge
Tokyo Damage Report's article on bad walkers already covers the basics of Japanese behaviour in crowded places (shops, trains, on the street). I've been trying to observe it carefully in order to work with it, since it's extremely annoying at first.
日本人の込んでいる所での歩き方について「Tokyo Damage Report」の「bad walkers」という記事の中に書いてある。その歩き方が初めにとても難しいので、 ( Read more... )
Comments 6
I think only Tokyoites act like that in Japan.
But I have to explain it for them.
In Japan,politeness is very important.And politeness doesn't come from their humanity necessarily. It's a kind of rules,I think.
On the roads,by this Tokyo rules if you want to just say 'sorry' to someone else, first you need permission to cantact at him/her.Otherwise you will be not counted in his/her world.
So if you say 'sorry' or something to others on the roads of Tokyo and keep the observance of this rules at the same time, first you have to ask permission to talk to him/her and after the permission you can say 'I'm so sorry to bother you,but can I walk your left side?'or something......
We can't do that at each time we see someone on the road!! So We pretend that we don't notice anybody on the road.
But don't worry! In other area of Japan,everything is totally different.
(Please check my mistakes in Engilsh)
Reply
Yes, I noticed a different way of acting in other parts of Japan. People always act differently in the big cities - London, Chicago, New York - all have their own rules.
I think it is very interesting what you say about politeness and humanity. In a big city with millions of people it is impossible to have any real empathy for everyone. And in some ways, etiquette and politness are the opposite of empathy. They are rules with allow us to feel OK without knowing a lot about the other person's feelings.
Both Japan and the UK are quite crowded countries, and so we have more rules and etiquette than a lot of other places. Americans consider the British to be a bit too formal and unfriendly sometimes because of this. On the other hand, I was often confused by American behaviour which seemed much too friendly. I find Japan quite comfortble once I understand the rules, but I also think it's a bit sad that the Japanese seem a bit isolated from each other. But perhaps you can explain better ( ... )
Reply
x / millions ~= 0
But I don't encounter millions in the city, only hundreds. And I certainly do enjoy some real empathy, even if the interaction only lasts a fraction of a second -- pausing before a pavement constriction to let an oncoming walker come through, or a tiny nod of thanks to a motorist who lets you cross the road -- these exchanges make me happy. (Yeah, I'm easily pleased).
I think a culture where no-one gives you any kindness, or accepts and acknowledges kindness you give either, in these casual meetings, would be a shock to me. (Perhaps I'm exaggerating, even for Tokyo, and in any case I prefer to boggle at culture rather than judge it). The Tokyo Damage Report article is hilarious though.
Good luck keeping your cool, as much as youse can.
Reply
Reply
I try to avoid the crowded times in London as much as possible. If I couldn't, I wonder how that might warp my behaviour. I don't intend putting it to the test because, as you say, it feels awful to have been pushed into behaving so badly.
Reply
You are The Best!!!
Bye
Reply
Leave a comment