To answer a lot of questions here: -These are ideal manners! No one is perfect. I've done all of these things and I was still fine. -By "use" phone I mean talk on your phone. You can do whatever you want as long as it's quiet. Use headphones to listen to stuff. It's okay to talk, although it's polite to be quieter. If you end up on a school bus somewhere they are LOUD. Public transportation with non-students though tend to be very quiet. -No one is saying you have to be emotionless. Everyone loves happy and excited people. But crying, getting angry, or arguing with people is really likely to ruin your relationships. If something truly horrible happens (like a death) then of course it's different. But otherwise people try to keep the peace. -Japanese people who seek out foreigners as friends are more likely to relate to Western cultures so they're more understanding and typically more outgoing. -If you're just visiting most of these things aren't going to matter. But if you plan to get a job or enter a Japanese family then I would pay more attention to them.
Hi, i have a question in Japan, can we walk on the streets with half-covered face ? Thanks in advance PS: i like your videos, they are quite useful (^_^)
tk7806 During cold and flu season, many people will go about their daily activities wearing N95 sanitary masks. It can be pretty surreal at times, as some are even so hardcore they can be the only occupant in their car and still be wearing the mask. Some wear them so's not to get others sick, others because they themselves are afraid of falling ill. I still can't figure out if the Japanese constitution is simple more delicate, or if people have become this paranoid... but they don't seem to be habitually disinfecting their hands, so I think it's a little more like a collectivism trend.
Is it like EXTREMELY rude to be sarcastic in Japan, or is it like how we do it in the West? I tend to be sarcastic at certain times, but I sometimes I do it for a joke. I'm not sure if they would take it as a joke in Japan, which is why I asked.
I dunno man. Of course the variety of cultures across the globe a beautiful and fascinating thing, and respect for others is always my highest priority. However each culture has its downsides - the sexism regarding women's cleavage in this video, for example, is something that I would myself adjust for in Japan, just for my own ease - but I blatantly disagree with. I'm not criticising Japanese culture as a whole, but I don't think we should idly accept the culture's rules if they compromise our moral standards.
FAQ: "Can I still listen to music/text on the train/bus?" Yep! I only meant making a call on your phone (and of course if it's an emergency then use your discretion). Do what you want on your phone as long as you have headphones and whatnot! University buses are also unique in that they're super loud, so if you study abroad and take a designated school bus then you don't have to worry as much since everyone else is shouting, too. "So you can't be outgoing in Japan?" Of course you can! Sorry for being unclear on this. By "don't be emotional" I meant it from a negative connotation aspect, so negative emotions like anger, impatience, etc. Everyone loves happy people! And some places it's perfectly fine to be loud--just take your cue from the people around you. :) "So I shouldn't go to Japan? I'll stand out anywhere." Yeah, foreigners are going to stand out, period. Mainly I meant trying not to stand out through actions and not looks, but even then Japanese people don't expect foreigners to know their customs so it's fine to make mistakes! I've done EVERYTHING in this video (and still do some of them), which is why I wanted to talk about it in the first place! It's up to you how much effort you want to put into assimilating and respecting the native culture, but as long as you make an attempt to be polite (even if you fail) then most Japanese people will be super happy. "What about customizing food if I have allergies?" A lot of restaurants list common allergens on their menus. If you're not sure you can always ask! And you can always ask to see if they'll customize your order. I still try every now and then and over the years more places have been saying yes. "Do I have to talk like a robot like you? :( " No, I just suck at public speaking.（° ▽ °;）We had like maybe a dozen subscribers when I made this video and never expected it to get so much attention. I literally had no experience with UA-cam and I had no idea how this video would end up being perceived. If I could do it again so I didn't sound so "strict" or "uptight" or scare people off from Japan then I would in a heartbeat! My new videos are less crappy. Sorry! :( For the opposite perspective: "What not to do in America" for Japanese people - ua-cam.com/video/9tYCQ661FII/v-deo.html
Great video! I wish things were more quiet on buses in nyc although I've lived here all my life, and love it, I can't stand when people don't use headphones! For the most part people do, when if you've ever been to nyc it's super loud here. Anyway, I hope to one day visit Japan, very helpful!😄
I find that, in some trains (I usually am in Osaka) and buses, they have also stated no loud music coming from headphones. So, I guess, noise cancelling? haha
It's interesting, because when I think about it, a lot of these rules are unspoken rules in many places. Like, in the UK if you wear a top that shows your cleavage, people will stare. Most women don't go about with cleavage on show, except perhaps in the evening on a night out. Also, if someone is speaking on a phone on a bus or train, other passengers can't help but listen to the conversation, so for that reason most people would avoid phone conversations on public transport, for privacy and because it's embarrassing to be having a cover station that a lot of strangers are listening to.
I recently got back from a vacation in Japan, and found all the people, even the ones in small towns, really pleasant and accommodating. I don't speak much of the language (I let my sister do most of the talking), and on those occasions when I was alone, Japanese people always did their best to communicate. It was a wonderful trip, and I found that as long as I kept myself to myself and followed the lead of the people around me, I was able to fit in just fine. I also naturally tend towards introversion, so I was a lot more comfortable with this kind of culture, but it doesn't seem like it would be too hard to follow these kinds of social norms.
Wow! Japan is so different! Their way of thinking is just so different from USA. Like USA has many different ppl and is usually more carefree and laid back while..Japan is interesting and very polite.
Weekends, whoohoo! Of course, particularly evil companies get people working too much even then, and those people may fall into despair. Most people have vents though.
lumbie Finch Except those are different people. They're despairing mentally off unemployed/underemployed people who have drifted away/fallen through the cracks from society, if they were ever connected much to begin with. They don't have to deal with the day to day issues- those more or less regular people, if they reach the end of their rope, just kill themselves. The psychos aren't much integrated with it to begin with.
My brother and I want to go to Japan and we have to be quiet?! He's deaf! He has a natural tendency to speak loudly because he can't hear. Then there's me who was raised with two deaf people. Geez, this'll be hard.
Guess what? Just try your best and you'll be fine. Do you think they can't tell that someone is deaf? I wouldn't say Japan is super progressive in terms of accommodating the handicapped, but almost everyone will put you guys in a different category than the oblivious tourists and will therefore be given significantly more leeway. That said, don't abuse the leeway. Talking loudly because you have to is different from making a scene out of excitement/forgetfulness or plain ignorance- and if deafness isn't to blame in a particular situation, deafness shouldn't be blamed for it. If you can sign, sign more. If not, just do your best. Deafness is "nann-cho". Older brother is A-ni (ah-knee), younger brother is otouto (oh-tohh-toh). Sorry is sumimasen (sue-me-maw-sin). If someone is giving you trouble, say Ani/otouto wa nanchou dess, sumimasen. With a slight head bow. And then try to be more quiet for at least the immediate future.
You can be loud if walking around in the streets and talking together, but while in a metro train or bus, it'd be best to try to avoid chatting loudly unless it's to plan the next stop or something like that. If you need to, you can text each other while on the bus, as long as the phone is muted and not bright. Since you're foreign, you can probably break the phone rule if you take it out briefly to comment on something that would otherwise be loud since your bro can't hear well, but not if you're sitting there playing Candy Crush or whatever :P
Oh cmon no Japanese people will be annoyed if the deaf are speaking that way. They’ll be understanding about that, just raise your hand to give a sign that he’s deaf and they’ll understand.
+Shin Tuxedo No, lol. It's used when things happen to you, not when you do something to other people. If someone else near you is loud and being annoying, that's when you would say shouganai. If you're loud and bothering people and aware of it, you'd kind of have to be a jerk to say "oh well, just deal with it" to everyone. Having a louder voice is something a lot of foreigners have to get used to (I still have problems with it sometimes). Just do your best! It's not the end of the world if you're accidentally too loud sometimes. And there are places it's okay to be loud, too. Don't worry about being perfect--as long as you're making an attempt to not be rude then I think you'll be fine.
...I can understand most of these things... but the blaming yourself even if it's not your fault?! I'd likely snap eventually. That is just ridiculous.
And thus why they have a whole forest dedicated to suicides, if you can't even get upset at life once I a while you would go made by bottling it up, that isn't good for the body, it causes unnecessary stress which is a killer.
+Morisato That's... all over Asia. And yeah, no, it's ludicrous at times. Whoever complains first and loudest wins every case, because defending yourself or wrecking their argument with a counter just isn't a thing. Yes - even if you speak the language. Sometimes [especially so] in that case, since they'll expect you to respect the "culture" of the situation.
- Wearing no shoes indoors = fine with that - Eating with chopsticks = fine with that - Not talking on the phone in a bus = fine with that (too many damn people in America do that) - Asking waitress to remove this and that = I will virtually anything, so I am fine - Getting angry or sad in public = Not one for starting a scene - Not leaving any tips = I am a cheap bastard anyway :P - Not wanting their pictures taken = I am with them on that, I hate selfies and photos T_T Man, Japan's culture and rules give me even more reason to want to live there. Just curious though, do I have to take my shoes off in the stores and malls? Also, can I show my appreciation to someone by bowing my head? Would that offend them?
***** Im not Japanese but judging from photos and comics of Japanese girls shopping in malls, I do not think you have to take off your shoes in stores lol Here's a proof B-) 1.bp.blogspot.com/-Af2A9LJKKis/VL7qtIoF6WI/AAAAAAAAKas/wB-3uxP8soc/s1600/Untitled5.png (I
***** haha XD They are just wearing reli cute dresses. I love the clothes they're wearing but I agree the style is too cute to be normal, so too bad I dont have the guts to wear them. They are not cosplaying though, clothes are from a company called Liz Lisa which sells reli, reli kawaii clothes.
***** Shoes in malls are fine. If anywhere expects you to remove your shoes you will be able to tell because there will be a place to leave them where you entered.
I like how polite and respectful japanese people can be, I wish it was like that in our country. Manners are the best introduction letter anyone can give, politeness means everything, that's my personal opinion.
***** That may be true, but when you live for a certain period of time under any rules, you grow to accept them, and once that happens, it comes natural to you. Also, I don't think being polite is difficult, it should come natural to everyone, I think
mountainguyed67 - "Then again, the ones who committed those atrocities are already dead, except for maybe a few that are so old right now. Why blame today's generation? Most of them weren't even born when those atrocities were committed, this kind of grudge is childish" - That was my answer to your original comment, but you edited it and erased most of it, well done I guess?
mountainguyed67 If that's the case, then there's no point on bringing World War Two into topic, since (like I said before) today's japanese citizens are not the same ones who committed those atrocities in WW2
Astrid Warner Just speak up! Some people are a little hard of hearing, and you are making it impossible for them to have a meaningful conversation with you.
+ivan jimenez what does the prince of all sayins need knives for anyway? question if knives are illegal how the hell does the sword shops stay in business???
hardwirecars you cant hide a sword in your pocket and get rid of it quickly after using it for a crime. Concealed carry is illegal there. And i need knives in case kakarot gets wise.
You can, just the peer group it is appropriate to do that with is smaller. Well, for guys it's probably about the same as in the West. The difference is you can bitch at a medium depth to a fairly wide audience in the West, whereas there's more dichotomy in Japan. They're in group, or they're not. And the people not in your in group you act polite and professional around.
I think the point of the video is not to say that those norms are "fair" or acceptable just because they're the local norms. As a matter of fact, some of these norms are very problematic for a lot of japanese people, especially the younger generations who are trying to change things slowly. The point I think was that, as a foreigner, since it's not your call to change things culturally, you have to be aware of these norms as much as you can if you want to blend in and understand social dynamics around you :)
Justy Na They don't even know the concept of being emotional so it doesn't bother them. If you try to get them to be emotional they often giggle and cover their faces.
Trying not to show emotion isn't just a thing in Japan honestly, other Asian countries I have been to are the same. They express joy, happiness, etc with friends but definitely not anger/yelling!
You're not representing your country as a whole, but you do have an influence as to what people think of people from your country. Especially in a place like japan where many people aren't very used to tourists. Also this is very typical Japanese thinking, and I'm guessing op is from Japan. (also, I dont think he/she liked my joke lol)
WoolTec Mc I wanted to watch a video on what's considered rude in Japan but turns out some of it's just kind of crazy. Who who cares what other people think of you in the first place. You can be considerate, but some of this is just too much
+The Exile Jeez, what an over reaction. Is that how you talk to people in real life, idiot? With that sharingan eye as your picture on a video about Japanese culture, I'm surprised you didn't call him Baka.
No. Just control your emotions, keep noise to a minimum in specific environments, and fully respect social hierarchies (boss, teacher, elders). For instance, on a Japanese forum my message might have started with "What you said may not be completely true" instead of "No." It's very hard. Takes a while.
From all of these anime's why the fuck are they different from us then? They make emotional/ecchi or even more different types of anime's but they behave differently in society? da fukkkk
Having returned from a vacation to Japan, I just wanted to say that I found this was good advice and my impressions pretty much matched what she says here. I can be a "loud talker" here in the US, but I was able to control it... mostly because everyone around me was quiet. There's a difference between "worrying about what people think" and just being culturally aware and open to social cues. Thank you Rachel & Jun for your videos.
Calm skytrain environment? Quiet talking? No complaining? Respect for privacy? Not pressured as a female to show cleavage when I hate doing that? I need to schedule a trip to heav- I mean japan now, or live there now. This place is made for me.
Marcus Charlecius Both. If you are a female that does not want to show cleavage then you don't really have much options here. So there is pressure from peers and also just from accessibility.
So, apparently I'd get along well in Japan. I'm not a picky eater and rarely ask for things to be removed. I'm not very loud, in fact I'm often told by practically everybody that I'm too quiet. I really don't talk on my phone all that much. I'm easy-going so getting upset about something happening is pretty much nonexistent.
That nation is so full of nerds, one can scarcely toss a Pokemon without hitting one. Nothing against nerds at all, just an observation from a guy who lived there and kept his eyes open.
Not sure though, but i learned this from my Psychology class that some people in Japan kill themselves so that they are not a burden, and it's a traditional. Not sure if that practice is still going on. I'm just guessing.
As a society Japanese society is quite unforgiving and very, very restrictive. Living as a foreigner here (for 17 years now) it's very nice, but I sure as hell wouldn't want to live in Japan as a Japanese. Everything is so regulated, everyone seems to want to tell you what to do and how to do it, and there seems to be no way out unless you're a foreigner and no rules apply… I can see how that can drive you into desperation.
I would like to personally thank you guys for all the travel advice videos. My boyfriend and me were in Japan for three weeks in April. We were really nervous and was not quite sure to expect. Your videos really help us prepared for our trip and made sure it was a lot smoother. Thank you Rachel & Jun!
I was expecting not to like this video at all. As someone who has lived in Japan for 25 years, I know that there is so much misinformation out there. She did a really great job! Everything she says is absolutely correct.
I think it's kind of stupid when people say "If a culture expects me to keep my clothes on in public that is misogynistic." Is it? Really? A misogynist is a person who hates or doesn't trust women. Misogynist is from Greek misogynḗs, from the prefix miso- "hatred" plus gynḗ "a woman." The English suffix -ist means "person who does something." I don't think wanting to NOT see you half naked is tantamount to hating or oppressing you. If both the WOMEN and men of this country think you should cover up, that's just common courtesy. Remember this is a country where people worry about OFFENDING OTHERS and not just being selfish. Just because you want to show off your cleavage for whatever reason (not that I'm against it in acceptable situations) doesn't mean everyone else necessarily wants to see it. You aren't looking at it from a Japanese perspective. This is a culture that expects you to cover it up when you are nocking an arrow because it's too sexual. They also expect you to cover the koiguchi (mouth of the saya) when sheathing a sword. pretty much anything even remotely sexual in anyway (except for anime for some reason) is frowned upon when shown outright. But covering up your boobs, that's too far you should take it personally. Oh and by the way she didn't say you couldn't do it or you would get stoned for it, she just said you would make them uncomfortable. God forbid your right to dress however you want be slightly diminished for the comfort of hundreds of other people. That's like saying I should be allowed to randomly come into your home unannounced and let my junk hang out. I'm sure many of you might find that uncomfortable as well. (And if you don't like that Idea you are a misandrist.) Just because something is acceptable in YOUR country doesn't mean it should necessarily be acceptable in every country. Just because you visit another country doesn't mean they should automatically all accept YOUR value system as their own while you're there. You go to another country to see their culture and if you don't like their culture and think yours is much better, STAY HOME. I'm sure there were more than a few typos, grammatical errors, and run on sentences but that's my two bits.
Brandon Sherman Agreed on the definition of misogyny. Now, to be perfectly honest, I find it somewhat titillating when a woman that I personally find attractive dresses in a boldly immodest fashion. I don't stare, but I'm happy enough to pay attention through my peripheral vision. However I think it's rude to deliberately flaunt against another country's social customs where you're a visitor. When you are in that country you are a guest to that culture, and I believe firmly in being a good guest. I leave my spikes at home and dress moderately bland when I'm out on a JR line or Meitetsu, I keep my naturally booming voice down, and I'm careful about eye contact.
Brandon Sherman Just because it is expected doesn't mean it is at all right. You are thinking way to literally about things, life isn't about dictionary meanings as much as it is the context which words are used. no body likes someone who says "but in the dictionary the meaning is this....". A woman, no matter where they are from should not have to be told how to live. Japan still has a very backwards view on where woman belong in society. These values where the same in the west in the 1950's when people would even cover the legs of pianos because it was to erotic, but over time, much to the thanks of second wave feminism, we got past this. It is not the job of us in the west to change how they live, you are completely right. BUT it doesn't mean that change isn't needed and I believe that change is already starting as Japan becomes more and more influenced by the west, and trust me they need it. Honestly most of Rachel's suggestions are what the older generations expect of you (Confucianism is still pretty big there), young people have completely different views.
If the women also believe it's unacceptable I would think they have the RIGHT to that opinion? I think the Japanese (Men and Women get to decide what they find acceptable in their country. I don't think someone should be allowed to project their beliefs of right and wrong and what is acceptable on other people in the Guise of freedom. I definitely prefer the level of socially acceptability in Japan over that of the U.S. Yes they have a problem with equal pay, however I don't see running around naked as a right, that's just selfishness. What about others right of others to not see said person naked? Oppression runs both ways.
Good, I don't like overly loud people anyways. I respect the culture, but the chest area thing is a bit... I just hope people would stop sexualising girls, I feel like that's their own problem (not only in Japan).
Hear, hear! And yes, we absolutely can choose not to sexualize one another's random body parts or sexually objectify one another, because we are not dogs, we are humans. Also, dogs don't sexualize or sexually objectify one another. A certain someone's argument is invalid on two fronts.
I agree with the whole sexualization of women other than that Japan sounds like a haven to me. I'm the same I dont like loud people either I find them obnoxious since I'm a quiet person. 🙂
Being on your phone (like txt, email) and talking on the phone are a bit different. One is silent, the other is loud and obnoxious :) Though I'm one of those folks who won't make phone calls in front of others, I find it rude. Even in my own home I will go to another room to make a call. Outside? I'll go to a phone box where you are supposed to call from ^^ Texting or sending emails is fine to me as you are not disturbing anyone.
Why do you guys in America wear knives around? lol I mean, here, in Spain, you'd be considered a terrorist or a killer, or an old man (they used to wear one always as a helpful tool).
+Scarlett Rose haha you're not like wearing an actual knife. It's a pocket knife. Like a swiss army knife. You use it to open packages, open bottles, cut tags off things, file a broken nail, really whatever. They're super useful and I miss having mine!
I'm glad you explain this because from visiting places, even like Europe, I've realized that Americans exaggerate their emotions and are very passionate about expressing them in public. Sometimes they do not realize that although it is normal in the U.S. to be loud (it's considered friendly most of the time), this is perceived as rude in other places. I am American, and sometimes it is hard not to appear American, especially if you are a tourist getting excited about seeing something new and different for the first time.
3:37 I don't see why they would think it's childish for me to take off something I didn't want in the first place when they wouldn't let me order it to not be on there.
Because one should respect their food no matter what. Some extreme/older people will even eat the big chunk of ginger or green onion that are just for flavoring. One middle ground you can do is to ask what is in the food. If there are too many you cannot make yourself swallow, don't order it.
That's not what I'm talking about. She says in the video that we should not take off little things on the food. But if I'm paying my own hard earned money I'm going to eat what I want to eat. If there's something I wanted to order off the meal and they wouldn't let me, why would they think it's childish for me take it off if I "ordered it"? I didn't want that item to be on my meal, but they wouldn't let me order it to not be on there. It's kinda hypocritical.
ShadowDueler97 well you can always use your hard earned money to buy groceries and make what you really want to eat yourself ever thought about it that way?
With food allergies, I have found that carrying a card that lists your allergies in the language of the country you are visiting is a necessity. I have also found that asking someone to recommend a meal or dish that does not contain what you are allergic to is more polite than asking for special treatment. My host families have always been understanding, and I have never asked for a special menu. Just let them know that I cannot eat certain things. This is also useful for religious restrictions.
+Matheus mtt its not because the country its because the ppl they own ! im in iran and iran is in a very awful situation in politic in economy in culture in art in food ! in everything !!! if japans ppl were was in iran they all would be on suicide !!! :|
+Ayda Sepehri japans problem is not economic nor politic. its more likely cultural. and rules (imaginative magic fields we create like culture) could be more challenging than the matter itself. going mad is worser than being poor. in this case considering japanese people are bound with japan it is actually about country. it's a country-wide thing as it is a whole ethnicities culture. i recommend you reading "Hagakure by Yamamoto Tsunetomo" and the watching the movie "Last Samurai (2003)" those would make you understand the japan and its culture in a nutshell.
|FCT| Andrusto100 He didn't lose his temper or anything, but it was obvious that he didn't like it. He said "Ah, we do not...," and gestured at me sitting. I stood up and apologised.
Craig Henry35 I just laughed a lot when you said "An older Japanese man was not pleased." for some reason. We don't see elders raging a lot nowadays anyway.
Honestly, just tell them to turn it off. It might be awkward and hard at first, but 99% of the time every one else is thinking the same thing and if you play your cards right every one else on the buss will tell them to shut up too. If that doesn't work, prepares some of the worst music you have ever herd and have it on your phone. Sit right beside the annoying person and ply your music just as loud.
Beautiful country but I wouldn't be able to live there. I'm way too openminded to be able to feel comfortable in such a society. I probably would feel judged all the time.
Niingx ish good stay in your own country. I'd rather live in a proper country like Japan then a country like the US where people only care about themselves
Oh yeah, the Greek. Great people. Completely rubbish with money, and when other countries have to help them out and suggest they try to not lose more money hand over foot, they protest and burn flags.
I really want to visit Japan, but I would be totally screwed. I'm a naturally loud person, and when something shitty happens my normal response is "Fuck!" so I don't know how I'd do with this "it can't be helped" business. Not that I wouldn't try, but I don't think I'd be able to maintain that mentality 24/7...
America is a broken system, the education system, the justice system, the whole jobs system is a joke. And the worst part, is that not enough Americans care about these problems to have something actually done about them.
zach Derrick I agree with the education system for the most part, justice system for the most part, and the "jobs system" (I'm a little confused on what you mean here) to a smaller extent. Most countries on the planet have the same capitalist "job system", so I'm curious what specific components you mean. But then more importantly it's easy to bitch and moan about things, but what are you and ***** actually doing to help things? Do you join political activism groups? Do you do any kind of outreach? Do you write your state legislators, congressional representatives, and congressional senators?
Now I shall say, I wrote the last comment because I got a little irritated by people boasting about how awesome the U.S. is. So I was just pointing out that its not "that" awesome.. Now onto capitalism... or any "job system"..(my own opinion) if there is "any" system that encourages the ideology "every man for themselves" and "supply and demand" then it will never work. What am I doing? Better question is, what could I do? Even if I did write them a letter then it would most likely never be read or considered. We don't need small changes, but big ones. And Ill tell you this if I had the communication skills and the education necessary, I would be on the front lines of that battle, but as it stands I'm uneducated, and have no verbal skills, so my only option is to "bitch and moan." Trying to get my thoughts heard. That's my excuse, What about yours? do you try to help? Or are you one of those people who don't really care? Either way it would make very little difference... but I will try those things you suggested, and I sincerely hope that I'm wrong, and that change can be made because of the letter by a highschool dropout, or the chants of the poor, but I'm not sure that's gonna help, if it could then the u.s. should already be problem free. End note: thanks for your time, Its difficult for me to express my thoughts accurately so please keep that in mind if I don't make sense. -Respect-
zach Derrick It's pretty easy to get in contact with your state legislators. But if that prospect still frightens you then begin smaller by finding a reasonable problem in your city, think of a way to reasonably solve it, and bring it to your city council meeting. Clearly I care or else I would not have called our your comment's bullshit attitude. I've volunteered for two state level campaigns I believed in (one state rep, one state senator), and I currently volunteer some of my time for an organization called Wolf-Pac, which aims to get money out of US politics. You can read more about them at Wolf-PAC.com. There are similar groups working on the same issue, like mayday PAC. If for some reason all you want to do is bitch and moan on a non-relevant youtube channel and non relevant video, then sign the petition. Spread it around. Because if you're only an armchair activist, you have no right to bitch about the state of things and you're just as guilty as the people who don't care to do *anything*. If you want to educate yourself more, then read the news. Read domestic and international politics. See what your state's members of congress are doing. See what other countries problems are, and see what (if anything) they are doing to address them. Find credible news sources to trust, and news commentary to watch (youtube has quite a few of the latter).
zach Derrick In addition, change doesn't just happen overnight. Nothing in the world was snapped together in a couple days. People in this world fought and died for human rights, worker rights, civil rights, gay rights, etc, etc. One letter or one rally won't change the world, it's something you and me and everyone else needs to consistently be involved in. It's something we have to get others involved in. Your thoughts on capitalism are very two dimensional. Everything you use originated from capitalism. Now of course it doesn't mean an unreigned capitalistic market. Market regulations are a good thing and can protect consumers, the environment, workers, and the greater good. Capitalism has been responsible for building every country in the developed world. There are things you can criticize about it of course, but just saying "capitalism won't work" needs an actual argument to back it up. I would look and read up on democratic socialism. Oh, and another movement that you would probably be interested in is basic income. I would also look up and learn about that.
Do not show flesh it offends them, do not talk normally because for them it is too loud and offends them, do not show emotions it offends them, do not use your cellphone on public transports it offends them, do not breath because it will surely offend them, do not go there because it might offend them. Wow! I feel offended just by seeing this video. Eric Cartman come to my rescue!!! But worse is this "You will see Japanese women wearing low cut skirts but they are not giving a very good image of themselves", according to who? You, what is the problem with short skirts and this coming from a woman.... oh stupid me thinking that being honest and the sorts was what mattered and women were entitled to wear whatever makes them feel good because guess what? It is their own body and Japan is a free country. So, in order to look decent and a good image of yourself, women should wear floor length opaque skirts! Is that the opinion of all Japanese society or what you think they think? That coming from a woman in the 21 first century makes me itchy. And by the way when I think about Japan the first image that comes to mind are those gorgeous pleated short skirts... Good thing that there are girls there that break those so called rules.
+Ligeia Noire Yeah, you shouldn't go there then. Look, all the rules aren't always that strict depending on who's around. And there are plenty of outlets available for most people. But going into someone else's country with a "my way or the highway" attitude... pfff... just stay home. It's their country. You'd be the guest in that case. There are some very wrong things with Japanese society- just like there are many wrong things with any society. I'm not going to say that legitimate social injustice doesn't deserve attention. But inconvenience due to different social norms on appropriate public voice levels or skirt lengths!? COME ON! SUCK IT UP!
Ligeia Noire Then don't go there. YOU also have a social norm on what is an appropriate voice level in public above which someone begins to come across negatively. Japan's is just lower than yours in general. And many countries have a place with very similar social norms as Japanese commuter trains- the library. You hopefully also have social norms on what is appropriate to wear in certain situations. For example, if you are not the bride, you should not wear a wedding dress to a wedding. %*$ it, free country? Yeah. I guess. Not illegal, but it'll be hard to live that one down.
redfish337 I was just wondering if Japan is really like that or if she is biased towards it because yes I agree with you every country has its social norm but one person's experience cannot and should not stand for its entirety, only that.
Ligeia Noire Every place has social norms. I have issues with the "%*$ it, I'll do what I want to" take on it. Look, we all take advantage of the perks of a bit of foreigner-feigned ignorance over there now and then. They will by and large overlook it, as well as all the unintentional blunders. They're doing their part to overlook our faux pas. We should do our part to minimize them. As for what she says- it's a good place to start. My personal experience is that it wasn't that strict on most of the things she mentioned... but it's a safe starting point for figuring out where you can bend the rules a little bit, which rules simply don't apply to you because of you, or because of who you're around, and which rules are actually going to be stricter, for whatever reason. But you figure this out as you go, on the ground. With the attitude of trying to learn and figure it out.
What the fuck is wrong with me? Well first off I'm familiar with the works of the late great Gene Rodenberry; it's quite evident that you are not. Gene Rodenberry spent a fair amount of time in Japan during his military days and he was fascinated by Japanese customs and culture. It would only be fair and prudent to suggest that he must have used it as some inspiration for his character development when coming up with the Vulcan race...enough said! Do some research before you blatantly make a statement attacking someone's sincere comment. Though it may seem like I am being racist I am definitely not...one of my ex girlfriend's was a "Jap"...yeah I'm sure you liked that comment. I'm keen to hear your rebuttal Mizz Tessss...
Johnny Kumar: Yes, there are some similarities between Japanese and Vulcan cultures. (Such as, both are logic-loving and peace-loving, and both consider the needs of the many to out-weigh the needs of the one or of the few.) But there are also quite a few differences. (Such as, Japanese people aren't totally unemotional, do engage in love and romance, and have mating rituals which are pretty far removed from Pon Far and generally do not involve combats to the death.) It would have been nice, though, if those Japanese folks on those aircraft carriers off the coast of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 had boarded landing boats unarmed, rowed to shore, walked up to the front gate of the US Navy base, given the Vulcan salute, and said "Live long, and prosper"... and maybe offered Japanese military assistance against Hitler, saying "look, we have a fleet of aircraft carriers a mile off shore, how can we help in the war effort?"... rather than blowing up all our battleships with bombs as they did in actual reality. Sigh. Nope, the Japanese people are not quite Vulcans. Too steeped in Shinto and Samurai traditions, and too full of xenophobia. And most of these faults continue to exist to this day in the Japanese people and culture, alongside their many virtues. Nope, not a perfect culture, not a fully-logical culture, and definitely not a Vulcan culture. But a fascinating and admirable culture none the less.
Mike L. ??? Lucky. The war begann 1939 and ended six years later - your grandpa then was 11 years of the six years in camp and some allied forces came around 1955 to free him from a death camp of the nazis? Are you sure you do smoke the right things??? Something in your head musst have some problems...... :D
Pearly Humbucker you DO realize that just because the war "officially" ended at a certain point, doesn't mean all the death camps and other situations like that just said: "well, i guess we gotta let them all go now. oh well.". how fuckingn stupid and ignorant are you? many of the camps weren't disbanded until MUCH later, YEARS later because they all had to be found and destroyed one by one. and the number of resources and soldiers available were limited. thousands of people continued to be mercilessly tortured and killed long after the war ended. to say otherwise so casually is despicable and incredibly ignorant. you don't HAVE to believe my particular story about my grandpa, and frankly i don't care at all if you do or not. i wasn't even talking to you in the first place. but to ignore/deny all the pain and suffering that happened because of your ill informed ignorance is nothing short of criminal. you should be fucking ashamed of yourself.
Mike L. This is some really bloody dumb bullshit you are teling us here. At the end of the war all the land that was occupied by germans was in the hand of the allies - russian, canadien, american, british and other soldiers wreral over the place. Your story makes them the owner of the death camps, that means, the allies did keep your grandpa in the camp - the germans were all POWs at that time..... I know - it is heavy stuff to get the facts right and to learn a bit about history. Why don´t you try? You really do need it. :d
+Mike L. The only one being ignorant and stupid here is you. You do not get clear that you accuse the allies - especially the american solders - for running the death camps? THAT is fucking stupid. I pity you. Sorry, being uneducated like you and being not able to learn new things must be painfiul, isn´t i?
I watched a few animes and I feel like in all of them the characters are super loud, blame others a lot and constantly insult each other to a point where it's super weird for western standards and here you are informing us that even slightly doing any of these things is frowned upon. Can you elaborate on this contradiction?
It's done as a comedic effect. In Japan, since no one does that, it can be found comical when in a fictional setting, and also helps character development
American cartoons depict actions that you would not see on a daily basis. Never obtain cultural values from fictional shows because they can sometimes show almost the exact opposite. Hence, what makes them so funny.
★Subtitles!★ *English* *Brazilian Portuguese* thanks to: Лолиндир Тасартир *French* thanks to: Enjinks *Spanish* thanks to: Lorena Holbech *Arabic* thanks to: Sara *Indonesian* thanks to: Asri Annisya Arsya *Romanian* thanks to: Masami Aomame *Greek* thanks to: KoMa GrSenpai *Czech* thanks to: Jakub Šmídl *Dutch* thanks to: Mathias Decru *Swedish* thanks to: justahappyfellow *Italian* thanks to: NoNicknamePlz *Vietnamese* thanks to: VNCloudloverain *Chinese (simplified)* thanks to: steven xin *Russian* thanks to: ThePurumba *German* thanks to: Mēto Mōneş *Slovenian* thanks to: Matjaž Vöröš *Finnish* thanks to: FunnyWeirdo *Lithuanian* *Serbian* thanks to: Алекса Оџаковић *Danish* thanks to: Xenn *Hungarian* Want to help subtitle our videos? rachelandjun.blogspot.jp/2014/01/r-video-transcripts.html
+Rachel & Jun I like your pronunciation, even tough I'm italian and I can understand writen wnglish almost perfectly I still struggle with spoken english, but with you I didn't needed any subtitles. Thank you again for the interesting video.
Seems like Japan is the place for me. I act like this naturally, my voice is so quiet that people constantly ask me to speak up. I am extremely polite to an extent that people get annoyed :( And I act the way she says is fitting. Which is good because I really want to visit Japan.
When I was in Japan with my partner, we got stopped a lot by the police (or that's what we thought they were) some were very polite, so to avoid anything we just showed our passports to show that we were tourist (were we supposed to do that? I'm not sure) But one time, this policeman who was by himself, stepped right in front of us(I noticed him staring at us from a far) while we were walking along a street and stopped us he then repeatidly ask us something in Japanese, but we apologized and ask if he knew English because we didn't speak Japanese but this seemed to anger him? We even showed our passports but he kept asking us be we really didn't know what he was asking!! He soon got fed up and waved his hand gesturing us to "go away". Has anyone else had this issue? We don't think we did anything suspicious or incriminating.
***** lol yeah I was kind of annoyed bt curious so as why he was so persistent in asking us what he was asking. Maybe they had aome disturbances from some foreigners or something I dunno, if it were something very serious I'd assume there'd be more than one officer. I dunno, I just want to know why we were always stopped for no reason.
DaringDarkwingDuck it was almost everywhere we went :( we went from Osaka, Kyoto, Nagano, Tokyo, the most place we got stopped at was Tokyo? Is there a particular reason for that? I'm so curious. None of my other friends and family had a problem.
Ena Sim Roppongi, Kabuki-cho, Shibuya and Ikebukuro are high-crime areas of Tokyo. So if you were in one of those areas, they may have been wondering, "Why are you here?"
My Japanese teacher was very adamant about how she wanted the ones who wanted to go and work in Japan to help the people of her country break out of their shells more. She said that people don't always let on how they are feeling and thought that people here actually ask questions like, "what's wrong" and "do you need help" more than they do so over there. I don't know if we'll actually be able to do that type of thing though... unless it's with close friends. And now I wonder if they will think we are being intrusive.
You could say something similar about being from America... Very chaotic and disorganized country, loud people, no self control, lots of racism and murders, lots of selfish self absorbed people going ''me me me first, not you, you don't matter''.
I don't know if I should agree with the way of interaction. Yuo are basically saying that people have to put a mask and can never be themselves among Japanese people. How do people make friends there if it is rude to be yourself? I can understand the whole raising your voice, but in the end - if you are upset, majorly upset - you can't just put a smile and fake it all the time. I am someone who does that all the time. In fact, people complain about me being blank and 'emotionless' when it comes to it. But at times things happens and it is too intense to mask it. I think it is rather disrespecting towards others feeling to mask it when you feel the need to cry or vent. I met many people who came from Japan to Europe - and honestly, they were louder than any of us. In fact, when a Black man went up and said "Let me fuck you" (which by the way embarrassed the hell out of me) my friend from Japan stuck his middle finger out and said "YES PLEASE" (I died inside) And many, many Japanese friends of mine, really, have been rude and disrespectful BECAUSE they masked their true intention and behind my back said awful things. So I don't know if I am very okay with considering such as 'rude' or 'respectful towards each other' just to not hurt feelings. But then again, I tend to be a very honest person and probably won't survive in Japan. >.> Oop, a lot of thumbs down are coming my way.
With all due respect, I am not trying to harm anyone's feelings nor am I trying to force anything on people. To be honest, the only word I can think from this video is "repression" and a lot of it. This is also coming from "A Nation which values shame", which explains the sense to gain honor or praise. The whole idea of the lifestyle seems depressing in my opinion.
this was interesting and I find it funny how even though these things should be followed in Japan very little is applied in anime and manga lol I know thats different but still.
***** Wait, so you've never run into loud, high-pitched, half-naked girls in Japan? Then I guess you've never been to Osaka. Especially the night of a Tigers game. Give the place a visit if you can. Best town in Japan.
There are a lot of comments leaning in one direction or the other. Either this etiquette sounds terrible or it sounds awesome. It is kind of both ways for me. I think America would be better if people were more considerate towards those around them but I also find it sad that embracing one's differences and individualism is considered rude. Maybe I'm not getting something but it sounds like they expect everyone to be exactly the same.
Happy to know I'm not the only one. I was like man I wish America was so clean and crime free and polite like Japan. Then I was like but you can't show your emotions unless you're alone and even then people would say that's bad...
I am going to Japan in a week and all of us videos help me so much. I am super scared to be rude or do something wrong there. plus, I am only 11 and going alone to stay with a Japanese family. u are the best
The one thing that I found most disturbing was about the cleveage. I mean, come on, it shouldn't be considered rude to just exist in you own body. Womens rights in japan seems to be sort of bad. If it's your body, you should be able to be accepted without being rude! I mean, what if you're naturally big busted?
Its not about women being themselves. No offense but I hate when people do this. First off. Its always a choice to show cleavage. ALWAYS. There's no way to deny that. Shirts come in all different sizes. There is no reason to show it other then show sexuality and attract men or match the fashion. Because of their culture its rude because its drawing attention to yourself. You don't need that attention. Remember their privacy thing? So yeah. It's not a matter of rights its a matter of choice and what is publicly accepted. (P.S. for more information of what I'm talking about google the 1940's - Mid 1950's)
Jack Campbell NO. It is not always a choice to show cleavage. If you're larger up top, most shirts will show cleavage, and even covering it up doesn't always work. Yes, I had a turtle neck shirt fail me this way.
Yup. About the only way to cover up that type of size is to roll yourself in a giant comforter before you go out the door. Even a cape at that point shows off your shape, and really that's what guys are designed to hone in on anyway.
JustBecauseidk5 I think there is a difference here, because this IS about choice. If a culture prohibits its own women from making this choice without being regarded as rude, or "slutty", then it is about female rights, though not necessarily hers (as in, the person who commented). It's not about flying to Japan, ripping women's clothes off their body and yelling, "I LIBERATED YOU!" at them, but about pointing out that this specific thing is problematic, as it holds people back from being themselves and feeling comfortable in their bodies. The gender differences in Japan are different from those in many Western cultures, which is okay, but only if it really is by choice. Otherwise, it is about human rights, which isn't a cultural construct unrelated to us. I do think that these "rules" are, overall, acceptable. I can understand where they are coming from, and the truth is that I live like that in many ways. By choice. I'm quiet by choice, I usually dress modestly by choice, I don't complain to my friends by choice. But these things can, if you think about them as dynamic products of society, and do cause harm. They are related to suicide rates, to the black number of rapes, of the gender inequality, etc. While I chose not to complain, I am allowed to without it isolating me from my former classmates, friends, etc. (At least not to the same extent.) Japan is a wonderful country, but people should be allowed to comment on things that are problematic without implicitly being called too narrow-minded. (While I'm not Japanese, I am half-Asian, so I am somewhat accustomed to Asian culture. I'm mentioning this because I know that had I been entirely white, or American (AND white), this might have come across differently to some people.)
yes you can breast-feed in japan at your own discretion. it might not be best to do it in a very crowded area since some older men in japan tend to sexualize things that have to need to be. but breastfeeding in japan is normal. Check your local laws because it may differ by prefecture (aka state and city.) But all in all YES you can breastfeed in public in most of Japan 👍 (well that's what the Internet says 😂)
Yun Xiao that's definitely true I just asked to ask even tho I breastfeed in private cause it would feel wrong to me cause men look if I'm not in private that or I cover up
Jennifer Hernandez Maybe it's different in Switzerland or Sweden or any other countries thats extremely developed? Americans are not as open-minded as most people think we were. Conservatives are everywhere, or if I may say hypocrites. Americans are very big in "do what I say but don't do what I do". A lot of self-proclaimed conservatives in the US are actually huge pervs and hypocrites.
Deez Nuts hehehe. In a way this video tells us that to have "FUN" in Japan you need to go to restricted-regulated areas (karaoke or "special disorderly-districts"). Other than that, it seemed to me it's like walking into a giant church.
"Do onto others as you would have done onto yourself." a literal written law in Japan, and one of my favorite things i remembered about it. I really miss it there.
You should check out the "tall in Japan" video. Of course you can't help you height, I don't think you should be ashamed of that. If you're non-Japanese or Western, you'll always get some attention. In this, I'm sure Rachel means "don't make yourself to stand out".
wow, japanese people sound so tight. i am greek so i am basically the opposite :P it would be funny to see a group of japanese people dining in a greek taverna with people talking really loudly around them, loud music, dancing etc. a common thing i get from greek people is "you talk really quietly". well, i don't, they are just used to people talking loudly so i guess that would be one thing about japanese culture that i would like, to not be told to speak more loudly for once.
fallwhispers07 Interesting how that works out. Japan has the shit together and the Greeks are in debt, chaos and shambles. Discipline at the individual level leads to a great country. Japan, Germany and the USA.
This was SO helpful. One day I want to go to Japan but I didn't know the rules so by just watching this one video I already learned so much about what to do and what not to do in Japan. I have also learned about the culture a bit more and to thank you very much for that. that's all I wanted to say and Bye!
I will make sure to violate everyone of those rules except for the knife part. As American I don't give crap what other think of my action. I will absolutely make sure to talk on my cell phone on train/subway.
spman2099 Okay. Well, first of all, this is an unwelcome stereotype. Not all Americans are like that. None of my friends or myself are like this, and you will find that a large majority of Americans are educated and not complete idiots like this guy. It just makes me feel kind of sad that other cultures can look at America and be like, "Look at their racism (This is only for the older generation in my experience), and their awful manners, the typical American," and then employ that immediately afterwards. Americans are not all the same, same as other cultures and people. I'm sorry, I just needed to say that, I am tried of reading comments about, "How awful," Americans are. Sincerely, An American.
1Ewery1 I sincerely apologize; I was just busting your chops. I mean, the rest of the world does view you as the world's jerks for a reason, but I think we all understand that there are plenty of good, intelligent people in America. Hell, I have friends in America who are GREAT... Though they are also homophobes with a tinge of racism. >_>
Meh, I like japanese culture but I guess I wouldn't fit in. I don't enjoy being so passive about everything. I would likely get pissed instead of going "it can't be helped".
I'm black and wonder that myself. I know that they love mike Tyson, and that Korean commercial black guy but what about the average black guy walking around?
Check out Locoinyokohama, he's an amazing black writer that has lived in Japan for 10 years, he talks aaaalll about the feels of being black in Japan among other topics.
I knew there was a reason I liked Japanese culture. These tips actually touch upon spiritual principles, and the fact they are not prevalent in American culture is telling. Accepting the blame for things that are your fault and learning to accept things that cannot be changed are very spiritual concepts. Complaining, being loud, venting negative emotion, and being rude are all dead-giveaways that a person has no idea about spirituality. Thanks for this video!
Songbird21 Anime is like cartoons (mostly for teens/adults but not always) so everything in it is not always real. Spongebob for example (a cartoon) you wouldn't see a talking sponge or a meowing snail in real life, just like anime you usually wouldn't see a woman showing her breasts in real life
Zoe Ringler Obviously anime isn't real. I'm not stupid. Seriously? You're comparing Spongebob to real life components? I'm not asking if Japanese people can use magic or something stupid like that. Give me a break. What I meant is that tv and movies often have real elements indicative of the country they're from. While in American TV you can usually pick out things that not /everyone/does our media /does/ show a lot of our society's idiosyncrasies. Such as American men's obsession with breasts, that we are a tactile culture, that we are very open with affection in public etc etc. But so much in anime, even some of the less crazy ones, seems so very opposite of what the people are like in real life that my question needed to be asked. I'm trying to separate fact from fiction.
In most animes females do not only show cleavage but they have huge breasts as well. I think the reason behind this might be because in real life, most Japanese women are modest, they don't show their cleavage and they don't have big boobs. Since these type of animes are made for mostly male viewers, they include busty women because they are rare in real life. So these women are a fantasy that can be realised in anime, I believe.
The main difference between western culture and eastern culture goes back a long way. While the east possesses a disdain of life, that is, a samurai falling on their sword, the west possesses a disdain of death, that is, always seeking to avoid the grave. There's an entire book about it.
To answer a lot of questions here:
-These are ideal manners! No one is perfect. I've done all of these things and I was still fine.
-By "use" phone I mean talk on your phone. You can do whatever you want as long as it's quiet. Use headphones to listen to stuff. It's okay to talk, although it's polite to be quieter. If you end up on a school bus somewhere they are LOUD. Public transportation with non-students though tend to be very quiet.
-No one is saying you have to be emotionless. Everyone loves happy and excited people. But crying, getting angry, or arguing with people is really likely to ruin your relationships. If something truly horrible happens (like a death) then of course it's different. But otherwise people try to keep the peace.
-Japanese people who seek out foreigners as friends are more likely to relate to Western cultures so they're more understanding and typically more outgoing.
-If you're just visiting most of these things aren't going to matter. But if you plan to get a job or enter a Japanese family then I would pay more attention to them.
Is it like all the animes there ;~; I always wondered if it was that fun.
Hi, i have a question
in Japan, can we walk on the streets with half-covered face ?
Thanks in advance
PS: i like your videos, they are quite useful (^_^)
tk7806 During cold and flu season, many people will go about their daily activities wearing N95 sanitary masks. It can be pretty surreal at times, as some are even so hardcore they can be the only occupant in their car and still be wearing the mask. Some wear them so's not to get others sick, others because they themselves are afraid of falling ill. I still can't figure out if the Japanese constitution is simple more delicate, or if people have become this paranoid... but they don't seem to be habitually disinfecting their hands, so I think it's a little more like a collectivism trend.
Ok, thank you for your answer, i appreciate it (^^
i think there are also other reasons to put their masks,
Is it like EXTREMELY rude to be sarcastic in Japan, or is it like how we do it in the West?
I tend to be sarcastic at certain times, but I sometimes I do it for a joke. I'm not sure if they would take it as a joke in Japan, which is why I asked.
I appreciate your tips. We should respect other people's culture when in their country.
Ruth Hingston nah she's just over the top
Kieran Weir she's not over the top. It's the way things are. Don't get mad or hostile at her just because you don't like the culture.
Kieran Weir how would you know?
I dunno man. Of course the variety of cultures across the globe a beautiful and fascinating thing, and respect for others is always my highest priority. However each culture has its downsides - the sexism regarding women's cleavage in this video, for example, is something that I would myself adjust for in Japan, just for my own ease - but I blatantly disagree with. I'm not criticising Japanese culture as a whole, but I don't think we should idly accept the culture's rules if they compromise our moral standards.
I agree
FAQ:
"Can I still listen to music/text on the train/bus?"
Yep! I only meant making a call on your phone (and of course if it's an emergency then use your discretion). Do what you want on your phone as long as you have headphones and whatnot! University buses are also unique in that they're super loud, so if you study abroad and take a designated school bus then you don't have to worry as much since everyone else is shouting, too.
"So you can't be outgoing in Japan?"
Of course you can! Sorry for being unclear on this. By "don't be emotional" I meant it from a negative connotation aspect, so negative emotions like anger, impatience, etc. Everyone loves happy people! And some places it's perfectly fine to be loud--just take your cue from the people around you. :)
"So I shouldn't go to Japan? I'll stand out anywhere."
Yeah, foreigners are going to stand out, period. Mainly I meant trying not to stand out through actions and not looks, but even then Japanese people don't expect foreigners to know their customs so it's fine to make mistakes! I've done EVERYTHING in this video (and still do some of them), which is why I wanted to talk about it in the first place! It's up to you how much effort you want to put into assimilating and respecting the native culture, but as long as you make an attempt to be polite (even if you fail) then most Japanese people will be super happy.
"What about customizing food if I have allergies?"
A lot of restaurants list common allergens on their menus. If you're not sure you can always ask! And you can always ask to see if they'll customize your order. I still try every now and then and over the years more places have been saying yes.
"Do I have to talk like a robot like you? :( "
No, I just suck at public speaking.（° ▽ °;）We had like maybe a dozen subscribers when I made this video and never expected it to get so much attention. I literally had no experience with UA-cam and I had no idea how this video would end up being perceived. If I could do it again so I didn't sound so "strict" or "uptight" or scare people off from Japan then I would in a heartbeat! My new videos are less crappy. Sorry! :(
For the opposite perspective: "What not to do in America" for Japanese people - ua-cam.com/video/9tYCQ661FII/v-deo.html
This video was extremely useful. I'm nervous as hell to go there, and this definitely didn't scare me off. It helped me prepare, haha.
Great video! I wish things were more quiet on buses in nyc although I've lived here all my life, and love it, I can't stand when people don't use headphones! For the most part people do, when if you've ever been to nyc it's super loud here. Anyway, I hope to one day visit Japan, very helpful!😄
I find that, in some trains (I usually am in Osaka) and buses, they have also stated no loud music coming from headphones. So, I guess, noise cancelling? haha
I know people that do it all the time. Just speak roughly with the train person, he will leave you alone.
It's interesting, because when I think about it, a lot of these rules are unspoken rules in many places. Like, in the UK if you wear a top that shows your cleavage, people will stare. Most women don't go about with cleavage on show, except perhaps in the evening on a night out. Also, if someone is speaking on a phone on a bus or train, other passengers can't help but listen to the conversation, so for that reason most people would avoid phone conversations on public transport, for privacy and because it's embarrassing to be having a cover station that a lot of strangers are listening to.
Japan sounds like an introverts paradise
Sarah Pippin that sounds like me
I agree! Fellow Introvert here. 😊
Yeah
Incel Betas paradise....people not a trunk kickers...you know what a mean...
As a introvert I confirm this
If u don't want thousands of stares dont yell Senpai notice me.........
Best comment ever LOL
lol
Don't understand this, besides why would they yell that o_O
oops.....
Whoops
What not to do: be Logan Paul
Powerjump2 right
Yes this person just beat the laws of fisic’s
Powerjump2 LOL!!!
I agree 😂
LOL
I recently got back from a vacation in Japan, and found all the people, even the ones in small towns, really pleasant and accommodating. I don't speak much of the language (I let my sister do most of the talking), and on those occasions when I was alone, Japanese people always did their best to communicate. It was a wonderful trip, and I found that as long as I kept myself to myself and followed the lead of the people around me, I was able to fit in just fine. I also naturally tend towards introversion, so I was a lot more comfortable with this kind of culture, but it doesn't seem like it would be too hard to follow these kinds of social norms.
"Hey you have blood on your pants" It cant be helped
Artee Chi
Oh sh*tttttttt-
Wow! Japan is so different! Their way of thinking is just so different from USA. Like USA has many different ppl and is usually more carefree and laid back while..Japan is interesting and very polite.
Japan: The Rising Sun
America: The Moon that Harnesses the Tides.
It sounds like everyone is a time ticking bomb. How do you vent frustration?
Weekends, whoohoo! Of course, particularly evil companies get people working too much even then, and those people may fall into despair. Most people have vents though.
go somwhere with no one there or screem into a pellow
Hadouken Hadouken , yeah that's why from time to time you hear on the news where one of them blew a gasket and went on a knife wilding rampage
lumbie Finch Except those are different people. They're despairing mentally off unemployed/underemployed people who have drifted away/fallen through the cracks from society, if they were ever connected much to begin with. They don't have to deal with the day to day issues- those more or less regular people, if they reach the end of their rope, just kill themselves. The psychos aren't much integrated with it to begin with.
SEPPUKU!!!!!
I feel like I was born in the wrong place.
Me too. Which is why I'm relocating.
You just had an anime break down, odd..
***** Nah but it was pretty autistic.
I see you don't know what autism is
yes yes you were, come back to mommy!
My brother and I want to go to Japan and we have to be quiet?! He's deaf! He has a natural tendency to speak loudly because he can't hear. Then there's me who was raised with two deaf people. Geez, this'll be hard.
Guess what? Just try your best and you'll be fine. Do you think they can't tell that someone is deaf? I wouldn't say Japan is super progressive in terms of accommodating the handicapped, but almost everyone will put you guys in a different category than the oblivious tourists and will therefore be given significantly more leeway. That said, don't abuse the leeway. Talking loudly because you have to is different from making a scene out of excitement/forgetfulness or plain ignorance- and if deafness isn't to blame in a particular situation, deafness shouldn't be blamed for it.
If you can sign, sign more. If not, just do your best. Deafness is "nann-cho". Older brother is A-ni (ah-knee), younger brother is otouto (oh-tohh-toh). Sorry is sumimasen (sue-me-maw-sin). If someone is giving you trouble, say Ani/otouto wa nanchou dess, sumimasen. With a slight head bow. And then try to be more quiet for at least the immediate future.
You can be loud if walking around in the streets and talking together, but while in a metro train or bus, it'd be best to try to avoid chatting loudly unless it's to plan the next stop or something like that. If you need to, you can text each other while on the bus, as long as the phone is muted and not bright. Since you're foreign, you can probably break the phone rule if you take it out briefly to comment on something that would otherwise be loud since your bro can't hear well, but not if you're sitting there playing Candy Crush or whatever :P
Hope Wright Get Him a headphones so he can listen the robot singing.
Japanese don't really accept anything out of their own culture. Very superficial.
Oh cmon no Japanese people will be annoyed if the deaf are speaking that way. They’ll be understanding about that, just raise your hand to give a sign that he’s deaf and they’ll understand.
if my voice is loud generally can i say 'shouganai ne'?- asking for a friend.
+Shin Tuxedo No, lol. It's used when things happen to you, not when you do something to other people. If someone else near you is loud and being annoying, that's when you would say shouganai. If you're loud and bothering people and aware of it, you'd kind of have to be a jerk to say "oh well, just deal with it" to everyone.
Having a louder voice is something a lot of foreigners have to get used to (I still have problems with it sometimes). Just do your best! It's not the end of the world if you're accidentally too loud sometimes. And there are places it's okay to be loud, too. Don't worry about being perfect--as long as you're making an attempt to not be rude then I think you'll be fine.
ありがとう ね
😂😂 It can't be helped
"shitsurei shimasu" maybe?
If a japanese person were in fact to call out a younger person, what would they typically say?
...I can understand most of these things... but the blaming yourself even if it's not your fault?! I'd likely snap eventually. That is just ridiculous.
that's why Japan's suicide rates are so damn high
+goldenage true
And thus why they have a whole forest dedicated to suicides, if you can't even get upset at life once I a while you would go made by bottling it up, that isn't good for the body, it causes unnecessary stress which is a killer.
+Morisato That's... all over Asia. And yeah, no, it's ludicrous at times. Whoever complains first and loudest wins every case, because defending yourself or wrecking their argument with a counter just isn't a thing. Yes - even if you speak the language. Sometimes [especially so] in that case, since they'll expect you to respect the "culture" of the situation.
+Morisato i dont think its as much of blaming yourself but more of accepting the situation as it is
IMMA PROBABLY DO ALL THOSE THINGS. HERE I COME JAPAN!!
lol
***** For me, it'll be years lol.
***** For me, it'll be years lol.
Sandra Dusabe Well, now you know better. You might think it is cute, but you won't be respected if you do.
What I mean is that all those things are things I do involuntarily, but I have always wanted to visit Japan. Maybe even live there.
Oh I would *not* do well in Japan..
Trust me it's not that bad.
Jordan WuWu, I do not mean in the bad way, I meant things are completely different.
- Wearing no shoes indoors = fine with that
- Eating with chopsticks = fine with that
- Not talking on the phone in a bus = fine with that (too many damn people in America do that)
- Asking waitress to remove this and that = I will virtually anything, so I am fine
- Getting angry or sad in public = Not one for starting a scene
- Not leaving any tips = I am a cheap bastard anyway :P
- Not wanting their pictures taken = I am with them on that, I hate selfies and photos T_T
Man, Japan's culture and rules give me even more reason to want to live there. Just curious though, do I have to take my shoes off in the stores and malls? Also, can I show my appreciation to someone by bowing my head? Would that offend them?
***** Im not Japanese but judging from photos and comics of Japanese girls shopping in malls, I do not think you have to take off your shoes in stores lol
Here's a proof B-)
1.bp.blogspot.com/-Af2A9LJKKis/VL7qtIoF6WI/AAAAAAAAKas/wB-3uxP8soc/s1600/Untitled5.png
(I
unicorns1015 Ahh ok. I might be wrong, but they look like they are cosplaying though.
***** haha XD They are just wearing reli cute dresses. I love the clothes they're wearing but I agree the style is too cute to be normal, so too bad I dont have the guts to wear them. They are not cosplaying though, clothes are from a company called Liz Lisa which sells reli, reli kawaii clothes.
unicorns1015 Interesting.
***** Shoes in malls are fine. If anywhere expects you to remove your shoes you will be able to tell because there will be a place to leave them where you entered.
I like how polite and respectful japanese people can be, I wish it was like that in our country. Manners are the best introduction letter anyone can give, politeness means everything, that's my personal opinion.
***** That may be true, but when you live for a certain period of time under any rules, you grow to accept them, and once that happens, it comes natural to you. Also, I don't think being polite is difficult, it should come natural to everyone, I think
Are they an all or nothing society?
mountainguyed67
- "Then again, the ones who committed those atrocities are already dead, except for maybe a few that are so old right now. Why blame today's generation? Most of them weren't even born when those atrocities were committed, this kind of grudge is childish" -
That was my answer to your original comment, but you edited it and erased most of it, well done I guess?
Nothing in my comment was blaming anyone, I asked if they were all or nothing type people.
mountainguyed67 If that's the case, then there's no point on bringing World War Two into topic, since (like I said before) today's japanese citizens are not the same ones who committed those atrocities in WW2
Everyone is always telling me to speak up and they get mad at me for having a soft voice. I wonder if in Japan I'm too loud.
I know right people say the same to me and get mad
Astrid Warner Just speak up! Some people are a little hard of hearing, and you are making it impossible for them to have a meaningful conversation with you.
Petra44YT That's kinda hard if she has a really soft voice that's not loud even when she/he does or they would be screaming all the time.
Astrid Warner Thats pretty sweet
Astrid Warner People say the same thing to me...
japan actually sounds perfect for me
Yeah same I'm like that anyway
same im usually really quiet
Subaru Rally Forreal me to, fck America!!!!! Nothing but assholes over here anyways!
Same I'm very quiet/private person so Japans like a haven for people like me.🙂
Same
I should dress up as Jon Snow and enter a train, then scream: "BRACE YOURSELVES, WINTER IS COMING!"
No one would consider that weird, right?
+Levo GAMES of course not! xD
+Levo GAMES :D
+Levo GAMES Lol that would be awesome.
im planning on moving to japan, but now im wondering what im going to do with all my knives.
+ivan jimenez You can Join the Secret Ninja Army.
Princedemars thats the only logical action at this point.
+ivan jimenez what does the prince of all sayins need knives for anyway?
question if knives are illegal how the hell does the sword shops stay in business???
hardwirecars you cant hide a sword in your pocket and get rid of it quickly after using it for a crime. Concealed carry is illegal there. And i need knives in case kakarot gets wise.
+ivan jimenez Harakiri?
Imagine road rage....that must seem crazy to Japanese people.
so you can't get upset at all? let your feelings out?
no wonder the suicide rates are so high in Japan
You can, just the peer group it is appropriate to do that with is smaller. Well, for guys it's probably about the same as in the West. The difference is you can bitch at a medium depth to a fairly wide audience in the West, whereas there's more dichotomy in Japan. They're in group, or they're not. And the people not in your in group you act polite and professional around.
Justy Na yea at the suicide forrest i want to go there not to kill myself but study why people are drawn there.
I think the point of the video is not to say that those norms are "fair" or acceptable just because they're the local norms. As a matter of fact, some of these norms are very problematic for a lot of japanese people, especially the younger generations who are trying to change things slowly. The point I think was that, as a foreigner, since it's not your call to change things culturally, you have to be aware of these norms as much as you can if you want to blend in and understand social dynamics around you :)
Justy Na They don't even know the concept of being emotional so it doesn't bother them. If you try to get them to be emotional they often giggle and cover their faces.
Trying not to show emotion isn't just a thing in Japan honestly, other Asian countries I have been to are the same. They express joy, happiness, etc with friends but definitely not anger/yelling!
And never forget:
If you like it or not, YOU are representing your country! If you misbehave then you disrepute your country!
no one represents there entire country, that might be a bit racist if people think that.
You're not representing your country as a whole, but you do have an influence as to what people think of people from your country. Especially in a place like japan where many people aren't very used to tourists.
Also this is very typical Japanese thinking, and I'm guessing op is from Japan.
(also, I dont think he/she liked my joke lol)
WoolTec Mc that's pretty messed up, but I guess it what they think. Who cares, really
Anony X why are you here then.
WoolTec Mc I wanted to watch a video on what's considered rude in Japan but turns out some of it's just kind of crazy. Who who cares what other people think of you in the first place. You can be considerate, but some of this is just too much
this sounds more like "How to be a robot...."
+The Exile
Jeez, what an over reaction. Is that how you talk to people in real life, idiot? With that sharingan eye as your picture on a video about Japanese culture, I'm surprised you didn't call him Baka.
The Exile
How were you not insulting him by calling him an idiot?
I understand exactly what he's saying. I'm saying, just because he voiced an opinion does not give you the right to call him an idiot.
+The Exile Apparently calling someone an "idiot" for no reason is the behaviour of a well mannered individual.
+SourSoul domo arrigato
So basically, be a robot and they will love you.
My god hahahaha.
Well, we all know Japanese people are all about some damn robots...
No. Just control your emotions, keep noise to a minimum in specific environments, and fully respect social hierarchies (boss, teacher, elders).
For instance, on a Japanese forum my message might have started with "What you said may not be completely true" instead of "No."
It's very hard. Takes a while.
From all of these anime's why the fuck are they different from us then? They make emotional/ecchi or even more different types of anime's but they behave differently in society? da fukkkk
Not a loud robot though.
Having returned from a vacation to Japan, I just wanted to say that I found this was good advice and my impressions pretty much matched what she says here. I can be a "loud talker" here in the US, but I was able to control it... mostly because everyone around me was quiet. There's a difference between "worrying about what people think" and just being culturally aware and open to social cues. Thank you Rachel & Jun for your videos.
Calm skytrain environment? Quiet talking? No complaining? Respect for privacy? Not pressured as a female to show cleavage when I hate doing that? I need to schedule a trip to heav- I mean japan now, or live there now. This place is made for me.
Lets go together. I hate this country with a burning passion.
Females are pressured to show cleavage? I've never heard of this. It just seems that most female tops here are designed to show some.
Marcus Charlecius Both. If you are a female that does not want to show cleavage then you don't really have much options here. So there is pressure from peers and also just from accessibility.
Dru Pinder Sure. Not like you were born and lived here for years.
*****
they have rap in japan.
So, apparently I'd get along well in Japan.
I'm not a picky eater and rarely ask for things to be removed.
I'm not very loud, in fact I'm often told by practically everybody that I'm too quiet.
I really don't talk on my phone all that much.
I'm easy-going so getting upset about something happening is pretty much nonexistent.
Oh, nerds are very welcome. :)
Confucius Holmes
Phew? lol
*****
yeah, that's what i was trying to say
That nation is so full of nerds, one can scarcely toss a Pokemon without hitting one. Nothing against nerds at all, just an observation from a guy who lived there and kept his eyes open.
I don't wanna sound rude but what if this is the reason the suicide rate is so high in japan.
Not sure though, but i learned this from my Psychology class that some people in Japan kill themselves so that they are not a burden, and it's a traditional. Not sure if that practice is still going on. I'm just guessing.
Not Colby Keller
"but I learned this from my Psychology class that..."
Stopped reading there.
Gillian Cohen Atleast make sense if you're going to insult me.
Not Colby Keller from what ive heard its cause the Japanese are in a constant mode of working. it might be too much for some. but im not sure.
As a society Japanese society is quite unforgiving and very, very restrictive. Living as a foreigner here (for 17 years now) it's very nice, but I sure as hell wouldn't want to live in Japan as a Japanese. Everything is so regulated, everyone seems to want to tell you what to do and how to do it, and there seems to be no way out unless you're a foreigner and no rules apply… I can see how that can drive you into desperation.
I would like to personally thank you guys for all the travel advice videos. My boyfriend and me were in Japan for three weeks in April. We were really nervous and was not quite sure to expect. Your videos really help us prepared for our trip and made sure it was a lot smoother. Thank you Rachel & Jun!
I wonder if venting to your therapist in Japan offends them XD
OTAKU PoofBall ilove every girl vs be with them
Therapy is barely a thing in Japan and it’s considered socially taboo to even contemplate seeing one.
you talk so formal in this video
I was expecting not to like this video at all. As someone who has lived in Japan for 25 years, I know that there is so much misinformation out there. She did a really great job! Everything she says is absolutely correct.
You have such a lovely relaxing voice. I can listen to your advice so easily.
I think it's kind of stupid when people say "If a culture expects me to keep my clothes on in public that is misogynistic." Is it? Really?
A misogynist is a person who hates or doesn't trust women. Misogynist is from Greek misogynḗs, from the prefix miso- "hatred" plus gynḗ "a woman." The English suffix -ist means "person who does something." I don't think wanting to NOT see you half naked is tantamount to hating or oppressing you.
If both the WOMEN and men of this country think you should cover up, that's just common courtesy. Remember this is a country where people worry about OFFENDING OTHERS and not just being selfish. Just because you want to show off your cleavage for whatever reason (not that I'm against it in acceptable situations) doesn't mean everyone else necessarily wants to see it.
You aren't looking at it from a Japanese perspective. This is a culture that expects you to cover it up when you are nocking an arrow because it's too sexual. They also expect you to cover the koiguchi (mouth of the saya) when sheathing a sword. pretty much anything even remotely sexual in anyway (except for anime for some reason) is frowned upon when shown outright. But covering up your boobs, that's too far you should take it personally. Oh and by the way she didn't say you couldn't do it or you would get stoned for it, she just said you would make them uncomfortable. God forbid your right to dress however you want be slightly diminished for the comfort of hundreds of other people. That's like saying I should be allowed to randomly come into your home unannounced and let my junk hang out. I'm sure many of you might find that uncomfortable as well. (And if you don't like that Idea you are a misandrist.)
Just because something is acceptable in YOUR country doesn't mean it should necessarily be acceptable in every country. Just because you visit another country doesn't mean they should automatically all accept YOUR value system as their own while you're there. You go to another country to see their culture and if you don't like their culture and think yours is much better, STAY HOME.
I'm sure there were more than a few typos, grammatical errors, and run on sentences but that's my two bits.
Liked for explaining about misogyny - way too many people use the term way too liberally.
Brandon Sherman Agreed on the definition of misogyny. Now, to be perfectly honest, I find it somewhat titillating when a woman that I personally find attractive dresses in a boldly immodest fashion. I don't stare, but I'm happy enough to pay attention through my peripheral vision. However I think it's rude to deliberately flaunt against another country's social customs where you're a visitor. When you are in that country you are a guest to that culture, and I believe firmly in being a good guest. I leave my spikes at home and dress moderately bland when I'm out on a JR line or Meitetsu, I keep my naturally booming voice down, and I'm careful about eye contact.
Preach! :D
Brandon Sherman Just because it is expected doesn't mean it is at all right. You are thinking way to literally about things, life isn't about dictionary meanings as much as it is the context which words are used. no body likes someone who says "but in the dictionary the meaning is this....". A woman, no matter where they are from should not have to be told how to live. Japan still has a very backwards view on where woman belong in society. These values where the same in the west in the 1950's when people would even cover the legs of pianos because it was to erotic, but over time, much to the thanks of second wave feminism, we got past this. It is not the job of us in the west to change how they live, you are completely right. BUT it doesn't mean that change isn't needed and I believe that change is already starting as Japan becomes more and more influenced by the west, and trust me they need it. Honestly most of Rachel's suggestions are what the older generations expect of you (Confucianism is still pretty big there), young people have completely different views.
If the women also believe it's unacceptable I would think they have the RIGHT to that opinion? I think the Japanese (Men and Women get to decide what they find acceptable in their country. I don't think someone should be allowed to project their beliefs of right and wrong and what is acceptable on other people in the Guise of freedom. I definitely prefer the level of socially acceptability in Japan over that of the U.S. Yes they have a problem with equal pay, however I don't see running around naked as a right, that's just selfishness. What about others right of others to not see said person naked? Oppression runs both ways.
Good, I don't like overly loud people anyways. I respect the culture, but the chest area thing is a bit... I just hope people would stop sexualising girls, I feel like that's their own problem (not only in Japan).
asking people to stop sexualising is like asking a dog to not have an erection. Its instinct, its far beyond our ability to control it.
I agree You can’t NOT sexualize something but you CAN control to not be a jerk about it. It’s East Asian culture, people are generally very reserved
Hear, hear!
And yes, we absolutely can choose not to sexualize one another's random body parts or sexually objectify one another, because we are not dogs, we are humans. Also, dogs don't sexualize or sexually objectify one another. A certain someone's argument is invalid on two fronts.
Wow
I agree with the whole sexualization of women other than that Japan sounds like a haven to me. I'm the same I dont like loud people either I find them obnoxious since I'm a quiet person. 🙂
I find the first one funny cause I been in many trains in japan and everyone was on their phones
Being on your phone (like txt, email) and talking on the phone are a bit different. One is silent, the other is loud and obnoxious :)
Though I'm one of those folks who won't make phone calls in front of others, I find it rude.
Even in my own home I will go to another room to make a call. Outside? I'll go to a phone box where you are supposed to call from ^^
Texting or sending emails is fine to me as you are not disturbing anyone.
i i never have to call i dont have friends i just play games on it _-_ lonely
same coldfrost
talking on your phone =/= texting/silently using your phone
It's ok to use phones, just not making noise with it
It should be like that everywhere ! It's all about respect and i appreciate it.
Why do you guys in America wear knives around? lol I mean, here, in Spain, you'd be considered a terrorist or a killer, or an old man (they used to wear one always as a helpful tool).
+Scarlett Rose haha you're not like wearing an actual knife. It's a pocket knife. Like a swiss army knife. You use it to open packages, open bottles, cut tags off things, file a broken nail, really whatever. They're super useful and I miss having mine!
Rachel & Jun Oh, okay. I thought it was like the kitchen ones for self defense and I got worried lol Yeah, we use them here too.
+Scarlett Rose you're an idiot. never come to america
+Scarlett Rose I'm from Switzerland and sometimes I have a swiss army knife with me ;)
+Lawrence de Sola you are an ass, a bully and probably a lame fuck as well.
I'm glad you explain this because from visiting places, even like Europe, I've realized that Americans exaggerate their emotions and are very passionate about expressing them in public. Sometimes they do not realize that although it is normal in the U.S. to be loud (it's considered friendly most of the time), this is perceived as rude in other places. I am American, and sometimes it is hard not to appear American, especially if you are a tourist getting excited about seeing something new and different for the first time.
3:37 I don't see why they would think it's childish for me to take off something I didn't want in the first place when they wouldn't let me order it to not be on there.
Because one should respect their food no matter what. Some extreme/older people will even eat the big chunk of ginger or green onion that are just for flavoring.
One middle ground you can do is to ask what is in the food. If there are too many you cannot make yourself swallow, don't order it.
That's not what I'm talking about. She says in the video that we should not take off little things on the food. But if I'm paying my own hard earned money I'm going to eat what I want to eat. If there's something I wanted to order off the meal and they wouldn't let me, why would they think it's childish for me take it off if I "ordered it"? I didn't want that item to be on my meal, but they wouldn't let me order it to not be on there. It's kinda hypocritical.
ShadowDueler97 I agree, but it's their culture, and we all know japanese people are weird
ShadowDueler97 well you can always use your hard earned money to buy groceries and make what you really want to eat yourself ever thought about it that way?
julianjesus10 That honestly has nothing to do with the topic.
With food allergies, I have found that carrying a card that lists your allergies in the language of the country you are visiting is a necessity. I have also found that asking someone to recommend a meal or dish that does not contain what you are allergic to is more polite than asking for special treatment. My host families have always been understanding, and I have never asked for a special menu. Just let them know that I cannot eat certain things.
This is also useful for religious restrictions.
Japan sounds really boring and stressful.
TheSleyths Go and see if it is:-)
+Matheus mtt its not because the country its because the ppl they own ! im in iran and iran is in a very awful situation in politic in economy in culture in art in food ! in everything !!! if japans ppl were was in iran they all would be on suicide !!! :|
+Matheus mtt i dont know but we have a very difficult life :/
+Ayda Sepehri japans problem is not economic nor politic. its more likely cultural. and rules (imaginative magic fields we create like culture) could be more challenging than the matter itself. going mad is worser than being poor. in this case considering japanese people are bound with japan it is actually about country. it's a country-wide thing as it is a whole ethnicities culture. i recommend you reading "Hagakure by Yamamoto Tsunetomo" and the watching the movie "Last Samurai (2003)" those would make you understand the japan and its culture in a nutshell.
+TheSleyths Golden Rule to visiting Japan: Be a robot
I sat down on the floor of a train when I was in Japan. An older Japanese man was not pleased.
Craig Henry35 LOL. What did he say?
|FCT| Andrusto100 He didn't lose his temper or anything, but it was obvious that he didn't like it. He said "Ah, we do not...," and gestured at me sitting. I stood up and apologised.
Craig Henry35 I just laughed a lot when you said "An older Japanese man was not pleased." for some reason. We don't see elders raging a lot nowadays anyway.
I wish we had that bus and train rule here. Obnoxious people playing their shitty music on the phones speaker piss me off.
Honestly, just tell them to turn it off. It might be awkward and hard at first, but 99% of the time every one else is thinking the same thing and if you play your cards right every one else on the buss will tell them to shut up too. If that doesn't work, prepares some of the worst music you have ever herd and have it on your phone. Sit right beside the annoying person and ply your music just as loud.
I like the way you speak, your tone is quite nice to listen to. actually very relaxing.
Beautiful country but I wouldn't be able to live there. I'm way too openminded to be able to feel comfortable in such a society. I probably would feel judged all the time.
Niingx ish good stay in your own country. I'd rather live in a proper country like Japan then a country like the US where people only care about themselves
Chuck Todd why so harsh ? I would feel judged being in Japan also
Rule Number # (whatever) don't go to Japan if you are a westerner
Im going to try to go to germany once i learn german. id like to sightsee (im part german)
Super Wig Maker I've got some news for ya! We Turks are not going anywhere and it's in your best intrest to be in good terms with us.
Aaron Pickett "women where i come from have equal rights and are considered equal"
Where are you from?! I've never heard of it!
Super Wig Maker Sukhumvit and Khao San Road in Bangkok are almost Farang ghettoes. I love the Thais though.
Oh yeah, the Greek. Great people. Completely rubbish with money, and when other countries have to help them out and suggest they try to not lose more money hand over foot, they protest and burn flags.
She just sat there with a ruler in her hand the entire time hahahaha.
Calm down Will Smith.
Hahaha
Appreciate the info.
Now I'm more certain I wouldn't enjoy life in Japan, except as a tourist.
I really want to visit Japan, but I would be totally screwed. I'm a naturally loud person, and when something shitty happens my normal response is "Fuck!" so I don't know how I'd do with this "it can't be helped" business. Not that I wouldn't try, but I don't think I'd be able to maintain that mentality 24/7...
Maybe try another word. Like "Wolfpack".
I don't know if you get the Sora The Troll reference.
America is a broken system, the education system, the justice system, the whole jobs system is a joke. And the worst part, is that not enough Americans care about these problems to have something actually done about them.
zach Derrick I agree with the education system for the most part, justice system for the most part, and the "jobs system" (I'm a little confused on what you mean here) to a smaller extent. Most countries on the planet have the same capitalist "job system", so I'm curious what specific components you mean.
But then more importantly it's easy to bitch and moan about things, but what are you and ***** actually doing to help things? Do you join political activism groups? Do you do any kind of outreach? Do you write your state legislators, congressional representatives, and congressional senators?
Now I shall say, I wrote the last comment because I got a little irritated by people boasting about how awesome the U.S. is. So I was just pointing out that its not "that" awesome..
Now onto capitalism... or any "job system"..(my own opinion) if there is "any" system that encourages the ideology "every man for themselves" and "supply and demand" then it will never work.
What am I doing? Better question is, what could I do? Even if I did write them a letter then it would most likely never be read or considered. We don't need small changes, but big ones. And Ill tell you this if I had the communication skills and the education necessary, I would be on the front lines of that battle, but as it stands I'm uneducated, and have no verbal skills, so my only option is to "bitch and moan." Trying to get my thoughts heard. That's my excuse, What about yours? do you try to help? Or are you one of those people who don't really care? Either way it would make very little difference... but I will try those things you suggested, and I sincerely hope that I'm wrong, and that change can be made because of the letter by a highschool dropout, or the chants of the poor, but I'm not sure that's gonna help, if it could then the u.s. should already be problem free.
End note: thanks for your time, Its difficult for me to express my thoughts accurately so please keep that in mind if I don't make sense.
-Respect-
P.s. There was not suppose to be a line through "respect"
zach Derrick
It's pretty easy to get in contact with your state legislators. But if that prospect still frightens you then begin smaller by finding a reasonable problem in your city, think of a way to reasonably solve it, and bring it to your city council meeting.
Clearly I care or else I would not have called our your comment's bullshit attitude. I've volunteered for two state level campaigns I believed in (one state rep, one state senator), and I currently volunteer some of my time for an organization called Wolf-Pac, which aims to get money out of US politics. You can read more about them at Wolf-PAC.com. There are similar groups working on the same issue, like mayday PAC.
If for some reason all you want to do is bitch and moan on a non-relevant youtube channel and non relevant video, then sign the petition. Spread it around. Because if you're only an armchair activist, you have no right to bitch about the state of things and you're just as guilty as the people who don't care to do *anything*.
If you want to educate yourself more, then read the news. Read domestic and international politics. See what your state's members of congress are doing. See what other countries problems are, and see what (if anything) they are doing to address them. Find credible news sources to trust, and news commentary to watch (youtube has quite a few of the latter).
zach Derrick
In addition, change doesn't just happen overnight. Nothing in the world was snapped together in a couple days. People in this world fought and died for human rights, worker rights, civil rights, gay rights, etc, etc. One letter or one rally won't change the world, it's something you and me and everyone else needs to consistently be involved in. It's something we have to get others involved in.
Your thoughts on capitalism are very two dimensional. Everything you use originated from capitalism. Now of course it doesn't mean an unreigned capitalistic market. Market regulations are a good thing and can protect consumers, the environment, workers, and the greater good. Capitalism has been responsible for building every country in the developed world. There are things you can criticize about it of course, but just saying "capitalism won't work" needs an actual argument to back it up. I would look and read up on democratic socialism.
Oh, and another movement that you would probably be interested in is basic income. I would also look up and learn about that.
Do not show flesh it offends them, do not talk normally because for them it is too loud and offends them, do not show emotions it offends them, do not use your cellphone on public transports it offends them, do not breath because it will surely offend them, do not go there because it might offend them. Wow! I feel offended just by seeing this video. Eric Cartman come to my rescue!!! But worse is this "You will see Japanese women wearing low cut skirts but they are not giving a very good image of themselves", according to who? You, what is the problem with short skirts and this coming from a woman.... oh stupid me thinking that being honest and the sorts was what mattered and women were entitled to wear whatever makes them feel good because guess what? It is their own body and Japan is a free country. So, in order to look decent and a good image of yourself, women should wear floor length opaque skirts! Is that the opinion of all Japanese society or what you think they think? That coming from a woman in the 21 first century makes me itchy. And by the way when I think about Japan the first image that comes to mind are those gorgeous pleated short skirts... Good thing that there are girls there that break those so called rules.
+Ligeia Noire Yeah, you shouldn't go there then. Look, all the rules aren't always that strict depending on who's around. And there are plenty of outlets available for most people. But going into someone else's country with a "my way or the highway" attitude... pfff... just stay home. It's their country. You'd be the guest in that case.
There are some very wrong things with Japanese society- just like there are many wrong things with any society. I'm not going to say that legitimate social injustice doesn't deserve attention. But inconvenience due to different social norms on appropriate public voice levels or skirt lengths!? COME ON! SUCK IT UP!
No, I won't suck it up. If everyone sucked it up we would still be riding horses.
Ligeia Noire Then don't go there. YOU also have a social norm on what is an appropriate voice level in public above which someone begins to come across negatively. Japan's is just lower than yours in general. And many countries have a place with very similar social norms as Japanese commuter trains- the library. You hopefully also have social norms on what is appropriate to wear in certain situations. For example, if you are not the bride, you should not wear a wedding dress to a wedding. %*$ it, free country? Yeah. I guess. Not illegal, but it'll be hard to live that one down.
redfish337
I was just wondering if Japan is really like that or if she is biased towards it because yes I agree with you every country has its social norm but one person's experience cannot and should not stand for its entirety, only that.
Ligeia Noire Every place has social norms. I have issues with the "%*$ it, I'll do what I want to" take on it. Look, we all take advantage of the perks of a bit of foreigner-feigned ignorance over there now and then. They will by and large overlook it, as well as all the unintentional blunders. They're doing their part to overlook our faux pas. We should do our part to minimize them.
As for what she says- it's a good place to start. My personal experience is that it wasn't that strict on most of the things she mentioned... but it's a safe starting point for figuring out where you can bend the rules a little bit, which rules simply don't apply to you because of you, or because of who you're around, and which rules are actually going to be stricter, for whatever reason.
But you figure this out as you go, on the ground. With the attitude of trying to learn and figure it out.
i'm a new blogger in japan and this so much helpful! thank you so much!
Looks like we now know where Gene Rodenberry got his blueprint for the Vulcan race...
The fuck is wrong with you?
What the fuck is wrong with me? Well first off I'm familiar with the works of the late great Gene Rodenberry; it's quite evident that you are not. Gene Rodenberry spent a fair amount of time in Japan during his military days and he was fascinated by Japanese customs and culture. It would only be fair and prudent to suggest that he must have used it as some inspiration for his character development when coming up with the Vulcan race...enough said! Do some research before you blatantly make a statement attacking someone's sincere comment. Though it may seem like I am being racist I am definitely not...one of my ex girlfriend's was a "Jap"...yeah I'm sure you liked that comment. I'm keen to hear your rebuttal Mizz Tessss...
Tessa Hill Well he is more intelligent than you?
I couldn't help but laugh at this xD
Johnny Kumar: Yes, there are some similarities between Japanese and Vulcan cultures. (Such as, both are logic-loving and peace-loving, and both consider the needs of the many to out-weigh the needs of the one or of the few.)
But there are also quite a few differences. (Such as, Japanese people aren't totally unemotional, do engage in love and romance, and have mating rituals which are pretty far removed from Pon Far and generally do not involve combats to the death.)
It would have been nice, though, if those Japanese folks on those aircraft carriers off the coast of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 had boarded landing boats unarmed, rowed to shore, walked up to the front gate of the US Navy base, given the Vulcan salute, and said "Live long, and prosper"... and maybe offered Japanese military assistance against Hitler, saying "look, we have a fleet of aircraft carriers a mile off shore, how can we help in the war effort?"... rather than blowing up all our battleships with bombs as they did in actual reality. Sigh.
Nope, the Japanese people are not quite Vulcans. Too steeped in Shinto and Samurai traditions, and too full of xenophobia. And most of these faults continue to exist to this day in the Japanese people and culture, alongside their many virtues. Nope, not a perfect culture, not a fully-logical culture, and definitely not a Vulcan culture. But a fascinating and admirable culture none the less.
I just realized how disturbed my japanese exchange student must've been in our loud classroom. Good lord. owo
They get quite loud themselves once they come over to the states lol
A perfect place for SHELDON COOPER!
+abeldnite I totally agree
How so?
Picky eating though.
Hi Rachel. I watched this video two or three years ago and just wanted to let you know that what you said really stuck with me. Thank you!
I'm a pure blooded German (Aryan) and I already do all of these things, I grew up here, in the U.S.A. and I hate it here.
Well, time to move to Japan!
caucasian *
Mike L.
???
Lucky. The war begann 1939 and ended six years later - your grandpa then was 11 years of the six years in camp and some allied forces came around 1955 to free him from a death camp of the nazis?
Are you sure you do smoke the right things??? Something in your head musst have some problems...... :D
Pearly Humbucker you DO realize that just because the war "officially" ended at a certain point, doesn't mean all the death camps and other situations like that just said: "well, i guess we gotta let them all go now. oh well.".
how fuckingn stupid and ignorant are you? many of the camps weren't disbanded until MUCH later, YEARS later because they all had to be found and destroyed one by one. and the number of resources and soldiers available were limited.
thousands of people continued to be mercilessly tortured and killed long after the war ended. to say otherwise so casually is despicable and incredibly ignorant.
you don't HAVE to believe my particular story about my grandpa, and frankly i don't care at all if you do or not. i wasn't even talking to you in the first place.
but to ignore/deny all the pain and suffering that happened because of your ill informed ignorance is nothing short of criminal. you should be fucking ashamed of yourself.
Mike L.
This is some really bloody dumb bullshit you are teling us here. At the end of the war all the land that was occupied by germans was in the hand of the allies - russian, canadien, american, british and other soldiers wreral over the place.
Your story makes them the owner of the death camps, that means, the allies did keep your grandpa in the camp - the germans were all POWs at that time.....
I know - it is heavy stuff to get the facts right and to learn a bit about history. Why don´t you try? You really do need it. :d
+Mike L.
The only one being ignorant and stupid here is you.
You do not get clear that you accuse the allies - especially the american solders - for running the death camps?
THAT is fucking stupid.
I pity you. Sorry, being uneducated like you and being not able to learn new things must be painfiul, isn´t i?
Lets go to Japan and call everyone by his first name...we are Europeans...we do not know it better xD
Gleichtritt it cant be helped
Gleichtritt awesome! Let's do this xD
Woah don't.
xD
Why not :D?
Why.. yes.
I watched a few animes and I feel like in all of them the characters are super loud, blame others a lot and constantly insult each other to a point where it's super weird for western standards and here you are informing us that even slightly doing any of these things is frowned upon. Can you elaborate on this contradiction?
mARe Dux Watch more anime.
Emil Gillett
Hahaha, i agree.
It's done as a comedic effect. In Japan, since no one does that, it can be found comical when in a fictional setting, and also helps character development
mARe Dux yeah watch more anime lol
American cartoons depict actions that you would not see on a daily basis. Never obtain cultural values from fictional shows because they can sometimes show almost the exact opposite. Hence, what makes them so funny.
i love this video so much. This doesn't scare me away from wanting to visit Japan.
★Subtitles!★
*English*
*Brazilian Portuguese* thanks to: Лолиндир Тасартир
*French* thanks to: Enjinks
*Spanish* thanks to: Lorena Holbech
*Arabic* thanks to: Sara
*Indonesian* thanks to: Asri Annisya Arsya
*Romanian* thanks to: Masami Aomame
*Greek* thanks to: KoMa GrSenpai
*Czech* thanks to: Jakub Šmídl
*Dutch* thanks to: Mathias Decru
*Swedish* thanks to: justahappyfellow
*Italian* thanks to: NoNicknamePlz
*Vietnamese* thanks to: VNCloudloverain
*Chinese (simplified)* thanks to: steven xin
*Russian* thanks to: ThePurumba
*German* thanks to: Mēto Mōneş
*Slovenian* thanks to: Matjaž Vöröš
*Finnish* thanks to: FunnyWeirdo
*Lithuanian*
*Serbian* thanks to: Алекса Оџаковић
*Danish* thanks to: Xenn
*Hungarian*
Want to help subtitle our videos?
rachelandjun.blogspot.jp/2014/01/r-video-transcripts.html
I didn't wait to see Greek subtitles ,wow thanks !
Don't show your BOSOM?!? Are you MAD?! All these years I thought it was okay, I've been deceived.Why anime why have you done to me!?
thanks
I was like "OMG HOW THERE'S FINNISH SUBTITLES?!?!"
+Rachel & Jun I like your pronunciation, even tough I'm italian and I can understand writen wnglish almost perfectly I still struggle with spoken english, but with you I didn't needed any subtitles. Thank you again for the interesting video.
Seems like Japan is the place for me.
I act like this naturally, my voice is so quiet that people constantly ask me to speak up.
I am extremely polite to an extent that people get annoyed :(
And I act the way she says is fitting. Which is good because I really want to visit Japan.
r u an elf
+HellloJerry +FuckOfffJerry
+berwwtje wat did u edit out
***** I added an f to mirror your name :P
***** hi
Haha. Facts
Straight forward and concise with no time to waste..u go girl👌🏽
I'm quite quiet when I'm in public so that wouldn't be hard for me :)
Same
"Japanese people greatly value their privacy."
Is that why all Japanese porn is blurred?
I almost burst out laughing at that one lol
lol
"If you're a woman, don't show off your cleavage."
Never would have guessed this from watching anime...
I like this rain sound at the background.
When I was in Japan with my partner, we got stopped a lot by the police (or that's what we thought they were) some were very polite, so to avoid anything we just showed our passports to show that we were tourist (were we supposed to do that? I'm not sure)
But one time, this policeman who was by himself, stepped right in front of us(I noticed him staring at us from a far) while we were walking along a street and stopped us he then repeatidly ask us something in Japanese, but we apologized and ask if he knew English because we didn't speak Japanese but this seemed to anger him? We even showed our passports but he kept asking us be we really didn't know what he was asking!! He soon got fed up and waved his hand gesturing us to "go away".
Has anyone else had this issue?
We don't think we did anything suspicious or incriminating.
Rachel & Jun
***** lol yeah I was kind of annoyed bt curious so as why he was so persistent in asking us what he was asking. Maybe they had aome disturbances from some foreigners or something I dunno, if it were something very serious I'd assume there'd be more than one officer. I dunno, I just want to know why we were always stopped for no reason.
Ena Sim What part of Japan were you in?
DaringDarkwingDuck it was almost everywhere we went :( we went from Osaka, Kyoto, Nagano, Tokyo, the most place we got stopped at was Tokyo? Is there a particular reason for that? I'm so curious. None of my other friends and family had a problem.
Ena Sim Roppongi, Kabuki-cho, Shibuya and Ikebukuro are high-crime areas of Tokyo. So if you were in one of those areas, they may have been wondering, "Why are you here?"
My Japanese teacher was very adamant about how she wanted the ones who wanted to go and work in Japan to help the people of her country break out of their shells more. She said that people don't always let on how they are feeling and thought that people here actually ask questions like, "what's wrong" and "do you need help" more than they do so over there.
I don't know if we'll actually be able to do that type of thing though... unless it's with close friends. And now I wonder if they will think we are being intrusive.
Being from japan sounds depressing.
You could say something similar about being from America... Very chaotic and disorganized country, loud people, no self control, lots of racism and murders, lots of selfish self absorbed people going ''me me me first, not you, you don't matter''.
Yea..But its the land of the free...And its not chaotic as most would think..Mr Person
Japan is a free country just as much, tho the US isn't as free as other nations are anymore.
Mr Person im free..Thats all that matters.
MrLouisiana17 but you're not Japanese?
Thank you for your videos. I'm going to Japan this December for two weeks and had no idea how to act. It really does help me out terribly.
I don't know if I should agree with the way of interaction. Yuo are basically saying that people have to put a mask and can never be themselves among Japanese people. How do people make friends there if it is rude to be yourself?
I can understand the whole raising your voice, but in the end - if you are upset, majorly upset - you can't just put a smile and fake it all the time. I am someone who does that all the time. In fact, people complain about me being blank and 'emotionless' when it comes to it. But at times things happens and it is too intense to mask it. I think it is rather disrespecting towards others feeling to mask it when you feel the need to cry or vent. I met many people who came from Japan to Europe - and honestly, they were louder than any of us. In fact, when a Black man went up and said "Let me fuck you" (which by the way embarrassed the hell out of me) my friend from Japan stuck his middle finger out and said "YES PLEASE" (I died inside) And many, many Japanese friends of mine, really, have been rude and disrespectful BECAUSE they masked their true intention and behind my back said awful things. So I don't know if I am very okay with considering such as 'rude' or 'respectful towards each other' just to not hurt feelings.
But then again, I tend to be a very honest person and probably won't survive in Japan. >.>
Oop, a lot of thumbs down are coming my way.
JustLikeSticky There is no blaming. I am sure she has experienced and shares her experience, the same way I am sharing my experience.
With all due respect, I am not trying to harm anyone's feelings nor am I trying to force anything on people. To be honest, the only word I can think from this video is "repression" and a lot of it. This is also coming from "A Nation which values shame", which explains the sense to gain honor or praise. The whole idea of the lifestyle seems depressing in my opinion.
this was interesting and I find it funny how even though these things should be followed in Japan very little is applied in anime and manga lol I know thats different but still.
Especially the very loud high pitched, half-naked girls that get in everyone's face. Am I right?
well yea but thats what you expect to see in anime lol
*****
Wait, so you've never run into loud, high-pitched, half-naked girls in Japan? Then I guess you've never been to Osaka. Especially the night of a Tigers game. Give the place a visit if you can. Best town in Japan.
There are a lot of comments leaning in one direction or the other. Either this etiquette sounds terrible or it sounds awesome. It is kind of both ways for me. I think America would be better if people were more considerate towards those around them but I also find it sad that embracing one's differences and individualism is considered rude.
Maybe I'm not getting something but it sounds like they expect everyone to be exactly the same.
Same, I wish America adopted the "be polite, be kind, and don't overburden others" rules but everything else sounds stuffy
Happy to know I'm not the only one. I was like man I wish America was so clean and crime free and polite like Japan. Then I was like but you can't show your emotions unless you're alone and even then people would say that's bad...
I am going to Japan in a week and all of us videos help me so much. I am super scared to be rude or do something wrong there. plus, I am only 11 and going alone to stay with a Japanese family. u are the best
The one thing that I found most disturbing was about the cleveage. I mean, come on, it shouldn't be considered rude to just exist in you own body. Womens rights in japan seems to be sort of bad. If it's your body, you should be able to be accepted without being rude! I mean, what if you're naturally big busted?
Its not about women being themselves. No offense but I hate when people do this. First off. Its always a choice to show cleavage. ALWAYS. There's no way to deny that. Shirts come in all different sizes. There is no reason to show it other then show sexuality and attract men or match the fashion. Because of their culture its rude because its drawing attention to yourself. You don't need that attention. Remember their privacy thing? So yeah. It's not a matter of rights its a matter of choice and what is publicly accepted. (P.S. for more information of what I'm talking about google the 1940's - Mid 1950's)
Jack Campbell
NO. It is not always a choice to show cleavage. If you're larger up top, most shirts will show cleavage, and even covering it up doesn't always work. Yes, I had a turtle neck shirt fail me this way.
Yup. About the only way to cover up that type of size is to roll yourself in a giant comforter before you go out the door. Even a cape at that point shows off your shape, and really that's what guys are designed to hone in on anyway.
kouusa Then get a larger size shirt :/ its not that hard...
JustBecauseidk5 I think there is a difference here, because this IS about choice. If a culture prohibits its own women from making this choice without being regarded as rude, or "slutty", then it is about female rights, though not necessarily hers (as in, the person who commented). It's not about flying to Japan, ripping women's clothes off their body and yelling, "I LIBERATED YOU!" at them, but about pointing out that this specific thing is problematic, as it holds people back from being themselves and feeling comfortable in their bodies.
The gender differences in Japan are different from those in many Western cultures, which is okay, but only if it really is by choice. Otherwise, it is about human rights, which isn't a cultural construct unrelated to us.
I do think that these "rules" are, overall, acceptable. I can understand where they are coming from, and the truth is that I live like that in many ways. By choice. I'm quiet by choice, I usually dress modestly by choice, I don't complain to my friends by choice. But these things can, if you think about them as dynamic products of society, and do cause harm. They are related to suicide rates, to the black number of rapes, of the gender inequality, etc. While I chose not to complain, I am allowed to without it isolating me from my former classmates, friends, etc. (At least not to the same extent.)
Japan is a wonderful country, but people should be allowed to comment on things that are problematic without implicitly being called too narrow-minded.
(While I'm not Japanese, I am half-Asian, so I am somewhat accustomed to Asian culture. I'm mentioning this because I know that had I been entirely white, or American (AND white), this might have come across differently to some people.)
So does this mean you can't breastfeed in Japan ?🤔
yes you can breast-feed in japan at your own discretion. it might not be best to do it in a very crowded area since some older men in japan tend to sexualize things that have to need to be. but breastfeeding in japan is normal. Check your local laws because it may differ by prefecture (aka state and city.) But all in all YES you can breastfeed in public in most of Japan 👍 (well that's what the Internet says 😂)
+Balling Like Choji XD your name!!
It's not even appropriate breast feeding in the US in public.
Yun Xiao that's definitely true I just asked to ask even tho I breastfeed in private cause it would feel wrong to me cause men look if I'm not in private that or I cover up
Jennifer Hernandez Maybe it's different in Switzerland or Sweden or any other countries thats extremely developed? Americans are not as open-minded as most people think we were. Conservatives are everywhere, or if I may say hypocrites. Americans are very big in "do what I say but don't do what I do". A lot of self-proclaimed conservatives in the US are actually huge pervs and hypocrites.
So the moral of the story is "Don't go to Japan".
NO JAPIN IS EPIC
The moral is if you want to have fun in Japan don't do anything this lame bitch says.
Deez Nuts hehehe. In a way this video tells us that to have "FUN" in Japan you need to go to restricted-regulated areas (karaoke or "special disorderly-districts"). Other than that, it seemed to me it's like walking into a giant church.
No. Most Westerners should not.
Terncote I'm half Japanese was raised in Hirakata, JP
"Do onto others as you would have done onto yourself." a literal written law in Japan, and one of my favorite things i remembered about it. I really miss it there.
Yeah.. don't stand out she says. I'm 6 feet tall ..
i'm right up there bud don't worry
You should check out the "tall in Japan" video.
Of course you can't help you height, I don't think you should be ashamed of that. If you're non-Japanese or Western, you'll always get some attention. In this, I'm sure Rachel means "don't make yourself to stand out".
papperogue I'm Hawaiian, and I'm not ashamed lol. I was just making a joke xD
Pregnant women giving birth: WWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Annoyed Passenger: Hey! Quiet back there!
Pregnant women: SHOUGANAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wow, japanese people sound so tight. i am greek so i am basically the opposite :P it would be funny to see a group of japanese people dining in a greek taverna with people talking really loudly around them, loud music, dancing etc. a common thing i get from greek people is "you talk really quietly". well, i don't, they are just used to people talking loudly so i guess that would be one thing about japanese culture that i would like, to not be told to speak more loudly for once.
fallwhispers07 Interesting how that works out. Japan has the shit together and the Greeks are in debt, chaos and shambles. Discipline at the individual level leads to a great country. Japan, Germany and the USA.
This was SO helpful. One day I want to go to Japan but I didn't know the rules so by just watching this one video I already learned so much about what to do and what not to do in Japan. I have also learned about the culture a bit more and to thank you very much for that. that's all I wanted to say and Bye!
"Is that an axe sticking out of your head?!" "Shikata ga nai."
I will make sure to violate everyone of those rules except for the knife part. As American I don't give crap what other think of my action. I will absolutely make sure to talk on my cell phone on train/subway.
don't go to japan your just a fool
Well, you certainly sound like an American. That being said, given your name, I am pretty sure you are being satirical.
George Bush sounds pretty pissed at Japanese people.
spman2099 Okay. Well, first of all, this is an unwelcome stereotype. Not all Americans are like that. None of my friends or myself are like this, and you will find that a large majority of Americans are educated and not complete idiots like this guy. It just makes me feel kind of sad that other cultures can look at America and be like, "Look at their racism (This is only for the older generation in my experience), and their awful manners, the typical American," and then employ that immediately afterwards. Americans are not all the same, same as other cultures and people. I'm sorry, I just needed to say that, I am tried of reading comments about, "How awful," Americans are.
Sincerely,
An American.
1Ewery1 I sincerely apologize; I was just busting your chops. I mean, the rest of the world does view you as the world's jerks for a reason, but I think we all understand that there are plenty of good, intelligent people in America. Hell, I have friends in America who are GREAT... Though they are also homophobes with a tinge of racism. >_>
So basically; be polite, be respectful, and act like a civilized human being.
That's what I always do
Easy peasy for someone like me. 🙂
More or less, the don't show emotions and don't complain is a bit too much though
What an awesome video ... thanks! We're going to Japan at the end of the month and this helped a lot!
Meh, I like japanese culture but I guess I wouldn't fit in. I don't enjoy being so passive about everything. I would likely get pissed instead of going "it can't be helped".
Well trying not to be very noticeable would be pretty hard for a black person wouldn't it??
I'm black and wonder that myself. I know that they love mike Tyson, and that Korean commercial black guy but what about the average black guy walking around?
Da Ville Yeah thats what i want to know
Check out Locoinyokohama, he's an amazing black writer that has lived in Japan for 10 years, he talks aaaalll about the feels of being black in Japan among other topics.
I had to bust out laughing at this comment because this seems to have never been asked before. XD
I feel the same way! I feel like it'd be suuuper uncomfortable to walk around like that, but I still want to go to Japan despite that.
Great advice for acting in America, too.
I knew there was a reason I liked Japanese culture. These tips actually touch upon spiritual principles, and the fact they are not prevalent in American culture is telling. Accepting the blame for things that are your fault and learning to accept things that cannot be changed are very spiritual concepts. Complaining, being loud, venting negative emotion, and being rude are all dead-giveaways that a person has no idea about spirituality. Thanks for this video!
I'm just curious. If women aren't supposed to show cleavage why is the SO much cleavage in anime?
That's just in anime. But in public, it is deemed very rude.
But why such a wide deviation? It doesn't make sense.
Songbird21 Anime is like cartoons (mostly for teens/adults but not always) so everything in it is not always real. Spongebob for example (a cartoon) you wouldn't see a talking sponge or a meowing snail in real life, just like anime you usually wouldn't see a woman showing her breasts in real life
Zoe Ringler Obviously anime isn't real. I'm not stupid. Seriously? You're comparing Spongebob to real life components? I'm not asking if Japanese people can use magic or something stupid like that. Give me a break.
What I meant is that tv and movies often have real elements indicative of the country they're from. While in American TV you can usually pick out things that not /everyone/does our media /does/ show a lot of our society's idiosyncrasies. Such as American men's obsession with breasts, that we are a tactile culture, that we are very open with affection in public etc etc. But so much in anime, even some of the less crazy ones, seems so very opposite of what the people are like in real life that my question needed to be asked. I'm trying to separate fact from fiction.
In most animes females do not only show cleavage but they have huge breasts as well. I think the reason behind this might be because in real life, most Japanese women are modest, they don't show their cleavage and they don't have big boobs. Since these type of animes are made for mostly male viewers, they include busty women because they are rare in real life. So these women are a fantasy that can be realised in anime, I believe.
Well this has put me off going to Japan! Scotland it is... it's hard to offend the Scottish!
Haha you got it.
Insults are compliments to the scottish
Here here.
Hell no, this has made we want to go to Japan all the more. Now I know everything to do to really piss them off....
So you're going to Japan just to troll them irl
The main difference between western culture and eastern culture goes back a long way. While the east possesses a disdain of life, that is, a samurai falling on their sword, the west possesses a disdain of death, that is, always seeking to avoid the grave. There's an entire book about it.
What book ? Can you tell me the title ?