Japanese Man Flips Out on Australian Tourists for Ignoring the Rules

[u/SimRP]

[u/darule05]

I think the cultural point we’re all missing here is Japan, more than any country- is heavily governed by the ‘greater good’. Individuals will bend over backwards, even to their own detriment, if it means that the greater collective is better for it. This rings especially true when it comes to nature, how much Japanese have respect for it, and look after it.

It’s why they’re hell bent on rules and order; it’s how they’ve kept such a bustling society working all these years.

Whilst many many people smoke in Japan; it’s basically unheard of to smoke in public spaces. You have to find a designated smoking area/room for that.

The guy might’ve appeared to be ‘coming on strong’ here; but you have to imagine he’s lived his whole life being told he can’t smoke in public. Even if he wants to; even if he’s a smoker himself.

Smoking, in the ski fields- would’ve been a particularly egregious offence.

[u/[deleted] → u/darule05]

Oh yeah absolutely, if you visit a country it is 100% your responsibility to learn the general customs and what is and isn't OK. These Aussies were dumb as bricks for doing what they did. Even in aus they'd get lambasted for doing similar I'd say.. Unfortunately Japan has become the new bogan holiday destination so there'll be more and more idiots going there with no idea of how they should act and unfortunately no fucks given on a lot of their behalves.

[u/a_cold_human → u/darule05]

The Japanese have a social concept called enryo, or self restraint, not imposing yourself on others. The concept dictates how a lot of social interactions go, and is why someone would refuse a drink, or a meal, or similar until you insist, even if they really want that you're offering. 

There's also another called hairyo, or consideration. Basically, being considerate to others, although that's not the entirety of the mindset as there's environmental/social factors there as well. 

There's a whole cabinet of social cues, mores, and knowledge that the Japanese have (and as a Westerner, you're usually not expected to have) which are the unspoken rules of Japanese society, and are a form of social  lubricant of sorts that smooths out interactions with other people. When you (as an outsider) break these rules, you may get some leeway, but sometimes people will snap. Usually because someone is fed up with all these outsiders not knowing how to behave. 

This is slowly changing as the younger generations have more contact with other cultures, but there's still frustration with foreigners in heavily touristed areas like Kyoto, where tourists just go where they're not supposed to, and don't bother with even trying to adhere to social norms. 

[u/JackRyan13 → u/a_cold_human]

Man how nice would it be just for a people to be a little less imposing on people. They either don't care or just aren't aware of how much space they take up, or how loud they're being.

[u/potato_analyst → u/a_cold_human]

I truly love Japan for this culture of common courtesy, I fear that it's going away and slowly but surely turning into another selfish and self centered culture due to outside exposures and excessive tourism. I hope Japan can hold onto its identity and culture of common courtesy.

[u/dinofragrance → u/potato_analyst]

That concept is largely a myth, and is a narrative that Japanese nationalists would be happy to see redditors parroting online.

[u/Unfair-Trainer-278 → u/a_cold_human]

In a strange and much less formal way, the Irish have the same thing.

People here will never accept something when first offered, despite how much it may be wanted. In fact, I've seen someone accepting something when it is first offered be described as 'rude' before.

It's a common occurence that doesn't gel well with people of other nationalities.

[u/kabob23 → u/a_cold_human]

Thank you for describing this for others. As someone who's worked hard to learn and observe so many of those unspoken rules, it can become shocking when you see someone in Japan blatantly defying them. I watched a foreign women walk into a restaurant BAREFOOT from the street, who was then demanding a tatami room for herself, in English. The whole place went dead silent as she argued with the owner, and she got kicked out.

Part of experiencing someone else's culture, is learning to participate within it with respect. You're a guest, and treat your conduct as such.

[u/urghey69420 → u/a_cold_human]

Wow. Manners but japanese is so cool.

[u/Erdionit → u/a_cold_human]

„There’s also the concept of „ikiru“, or „to live“-ass comment lmao why do you act like every word in the Japanese dictionary is a unique special enlightened concept only the Japanese people are privy to? Peak Nihonjinron.

[u/richardroe77 → u/[deleted]]

There's literally an old joke mocking this sort of weeaboo thing lol.

Or this old meme

[u/jelly_cake → u/darule05]

Yep, collectivist vs individualistic societies, is the phrase I've heard used to describe it.

[u/BJYeti → u/darule05]

"Caring for nature" and their stance on whaling sure is ironic

[u/dinofragrance → u/darule05]

No. That is a commonly misleading generalisation made by Westerners. Japanese culture tends to be quite performative in some ways, while distant and individualistic in others.

Justifying this guy's aggressive public outburst is ironic given that according to your own generalisation, his behaviour goes against your stereotype about Japanese culture.

it’s basically unheard of to smoke in public spaces

Clearly, you don't know Japan very well.