Japanese Manners

Stick your head into your reading or close your eyes was the typical reaction I always saw, LOL!

well i live in a good part of town in Florida...but the places around are bad mannered people.

BLEGH!
That comment about doggy diahorrea at the end was both disgusting and amusing!
I can totally agree with you about not wanting a seat when you get on a train - most people spend all day sitting on their arse anyway. Standing on a train would make a nice change!

LOLZ!! I hope the whole "putting the poop in their hair or pockes" is just a joke!

So in Australia. Most of the time people would give up the seats to the elderly or needy. Since there is a lot of signs saying to give up your sittings to the needy, but overall, quite a nice community here.

speaking of images and subway, do they still have this one on the trains? http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/6295/tubesignscv3.jpg
anyway with regards to manners, I would think manners and education would usually come hand in hand. the better educated people are in the area, the better their manners would be. of course culture does effect it a little bit.
in more upscale areas in Manila people are more considerate not to hack and spit, throw rubbish in the bin and not on the floor. in places with less commercial activities people would sometimes cough right to your face. spit right on the floor in front of you. although they never really meant that to be offensive, they just don't know any better.

when it comes to the subway commute in manila however, I'd have to say I'm keeping my hands off on that topic. ^^;
however in Vancouver I not sure if they still have this, but I remember the skytrain didn't have any entrance queue that you'd have to stick a ticket in before entering the train area, people were honest enough to buy a ticket from a ticket booth before boarding the train. I wish it were that way everywhere else.

People are nice when it comes to giving up seats on the bus here, especially in the front of the bus designated for the handicap, elderly, pregnant, etc. When you're driving your own car it's a mix of "get out of my way" and "I'm going the speed limit so back off."

I give always my seat to elder people and that, but sometimes is fun cause the other day I offered my seat to an older man and I think he felt offended and said to me "no thanks" hehe

lol! That comment about japanese people wiping poop in their heads was hilarious. XD

Is that why the Japanese have such nice looking hair?! Excusez-moi, il y a un morceau de merde dans vos cheveux! Ah, et quels beaux cheveux vous avez! LMAO.

This reminds me of the ear-wax-cocktail!

In Brazil, things are quite the opposite.
In buses and trains, usually people are polite. But probably even less than in Japan... only more polite than in other stuff.

There are designated seats for people who needs it, and usually people will give their seats up. I even got in buses where people volunteered to hold my bag, specially when it looked particularly heavy.

But in general... people walk the dogs and let them poo wherever they want, people throw garbage out of car windows. There's not much spitting in the ground, but I've seen it happen several times.

I won't even start talking about public restrooms because the memories will spoil my dinner.

Oh, forgot to add: The poster looks kinda creepy. :P

Horrible, they throw garbage wherever they can, if theres a trashcan nearby, they will still throw it in the street.
*if their dog poops in the road, they pick up the offensive object and pocket it - even if the dog has diarrhea in which case they scoop it up, rub it in their hands and wipe it in their hair*
Ha, so they pocket ti object, that must be what that smell is...
Wipe it in there hairs huh, so thats why its so slick...

their all POLITE lol...
though sum of my friends keep on littering--- but other than zat its all good lol ^^

A bit average here. Some people spit, some people litter. Etc, etc. Only the nicer people that give up their seats to the elderly or disabled...

years ago, singapore too has this problem..but recently, it changed. For the better.Whenever i take the train, if there's ever a pregnant lady or old person who comes in, the first reaction of most commuters would be look left, look right, stand up if there are no seats and let the needy sit. I was kinda surprised by how some teenagers who let their seats to the needy. As for me, I stand most of the time in the train, and only sit when there are plenty of empty seats and sleep =_=zzz

It is interesting how Japanese have an almost obsessive nature when it comes to getting a seat on the train. I have had many Japanese friends reply "I couldn't get a seat on the train." when I ask about their morning commute. Heck, they could be in a major earthquake, hit by a car and stomped on by Godzilla and it is ok as long as they get to sit on the train. ^^;

Here the first order of business is to be rude. It has become an art form. Why can't people show respect for each other...

I don't think you would ever see someone in need of a seat, not getting one in Denmark. but people are idiots when it comes to throwing burger-wrap or coke-cans in public. Only reason it's kind'a clean and neat here, is the massive amount of public employed, cleaning up all the time.

Most people in LA, CA put themselves in first priority and don't give a sh*t about others

oh, there were other commuting experiences I'd like to share, however I do apologize to Danny for the multiple posts.
in Nottingham I tried to give my seat to an older woman, however I think she got insulted and gave me a weird look, but politely said no thank you. ^^;
in Hong Kong on the other hand as soon as I stood up to give my seat to an old lady, some guy literally dove down to my seat faster than I could ask the lady to sit on it. :p
however my worst possible experience was in Mainland China, I tried riding a public train with the lowest fare, people started clamoring for the seats as soon as the trains arrived, some even jumped into them thru the train windows. a friend of mine had it worst, she had to sit with a mother who had her child pee on the table right in front of her. suffice to say I decided on that day that I'd never try to be a cheapskate in China ever again.
(o.O)>

This happens pretty often in Singapore as well. On buses and trains. And when a train arrives, people waiting to board the train usually barricade the entrance and make it difficult for passengers to alight. Even when lines are painted on the floor to indicate where they should stand to avoid blocking the alighting passengers. And when travelling on escalators, people cannot seem to keep left to allow moving traffic to move on the right.

"Even if the dog has diarrhea some folks would even scoop it up, rub it in their hands and wipe it in their hair."

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!

Hmm, I did notice while in Japan taht people tend to rush for the seats, but I didn't really see any situation where they should of given up their seats.

Here in Melbourne it's pretty common to see people give up seats for elderly, people with children, or the disabled. Then again, most trams/trains here have more seats than the JR lines in Japan. (at the cost of standing space)

In Malaysia, there's the "if you're good to me, i'll be good to you" attitude. but once you're on the road driving, expect to see inconsiderate drivers who hog lanes by driving extra slow on fast lanes or drive close enough to sniff your car's ass.

In L.A., nobody really cares about each other... This old lady gave the middle finger to my friend while she crossed the street!

Can you believe it?

ah we got the same problem here in singapore :D .... no one wants to give up sits :D and everyone rushing to the sits and stuff but its a little different as when old folks can't get the sits they want they would scold teens and ask them ti give up the sits for them ... some would give it up some would just look else where and ... some would fight back!!

Hm, I don't think I'd give up my seat either if I was that girl, it's hard to trust somebody with a transparent cast ~_^

@Tofu: Did you smile and give her a golf-clap back? ^^;

From what I observe people here are pretty considerate when it comes to giving seats to needy people on the trains.

humanity is a selfish lot.

to be fair i've met very nice mannered japanese people, and very rude japanese people. You get pretty much the same in most asian cultures.
Although I rate japan lower.... I fractured my ankle once during a rainy day in nagoya and noone stopped to help :(
Thats only one issue :(

Its all rosey until you live there a long time, then you start to notice its not all that perfect :)

Reader's Digest ranks our country one of the least courteous. We don't leave doors open when we pass through for the people behind us, don't pick up documents that some stranger happened to scatter all over the floor in fear of ruining our brand-new manicures, and got the chewing gum ban as a result of the history of dry gum stuck on lift buttons and walls. 'Nuff said.

However I do make it a point myself to go out of my way to show courtesy. I've written enough about that in my blog. >.

it's the same thing over here in singapore danny, failing to give up their seat to those who need it more than them, rushing in to grab a seat, refusing to move to the rear of a crowded bus so that passengers can get in etc.

we even have a courtesy campaign encouraging us to be courteous.

Lizardman,
I did say "rarely" ^^

Marvin,
LOL at your China experience!
Re image - all over the place ^^

In Singapore you can see many pretend to fall asleep or look busy when there people need to seat.

I'm from Singapore but I have been living in Tokyo for the past 3 years, and by comparison, Japanese folks are generally more civic minded. I've lost my Talby handphone thrice here - and everytime someone has returned it, something which I doubt will happen in Singapore.

I'm staying in Singapore too, but in large contrast to what the below comments say, I personally feel that Singaporeans always give up their seats to the needy! The moment an elderly gets on the train, there are always many people who offer their seats immediately.. sometimes beating me to it, which makes me feel really bad cos I'm in uniform.. *o*

Manners of people in my state are average, but that depends on where you're going to. If you're going to farther places like small towns and villages, the locals are extremely friendly and helpful.

However, one problem shared with ALL the states in Malaysia are its drivers. If equipping guided missiles and napalm bombs on your car is legal, Twisted Metal would've looked like a kid's game if those armaments are in the hands of Malaysian drivers.

In metro trains in Washington DC Metro, people rarely give sits. I try to give my sit at all time and if train is crowded and I have a chance to get a sit, I won't because I rather someone else to have it. Also, in Washington Metro, we have more sits, its more like a bus in arrangement. Unlike most undergrounds/metro where sits are arranged against the wall, ours are perpendicular to the walls so there are a lot of sits.

@Boris: Totally agree. Most people in the DC area could care less about those around them. It's pretty disgusting IMO. I will say that it's no better than my experiences on the NYC Subway or SF's Muni system.

I give up my seat if I actually took one in the first place. I usually just stand - I'm not on the Metro for more than 10 stops at a time anyway.

Japanese manners are inspired by this video imo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KYfAU7eXNU

On a sidenote, ppl in my hometown are loyal followers of "mind your own goddamn businesses"ism.

in Chile dont have any manners!!!!!

crap country!!

Manners in UK ARE AWSOME...NOT.
Not everyone in UK have good manners. Old people in UK disgust me... especially those who don't seem to have a good life. They'll bad mouth at anyone like they're king.

Inn the other hand, my mom has bad manners too.

the end.

I have seen both outcomes concerning elders and seats on bus and metro.

Some people are kind enough to offer seats (generally the ones sitting at the front of the bus) and others feign innocence (except when they sit on reserved seats, in which case they have no choice). I have yet to see an old man or an old lady claiming one, though. That should be funny.

As for myself, I try to offer my seat to one who needs it, even if I'm dead tired. If there is no eye contact, I tend to poke at the concerned person's shoulder, without moving away from my seat (for not losing it in case of a refusal and to prevent potential opportunists).

It is generally a selfish, hypocrite world we live in and I swore on my own life that I would do my best not to fall into that trap.

DRAGUN, your use of the French language is admirable!
This may be an odd context to use it, but there is no misspelling at all. 100% perfect.

*laughs*

In Vancouver, buses, and skytrain(public trains), as far as I know, poeple are willing to give up seats for elders, handicaps, and pregnant women when they eye contacted you that means they want to sit on your spot. If you do not give your seat to them, others may. If not, others may yell at you for not giving up your seat because you have a bad manner. Of course, they will say thank you to you when you give up the seat.

I always give my seat if I eye contacted one of those. Or if someone doesnt give their seats I would even ask if they want to sit down (initiative). Sometimes I even see people dont want to seat even though the vehicle is packed. Surprising eh?

D Blade; Merci! It takes me a while sometimes to remember the correct grammar, but since I grew up in Canada, I am very proficient at speaking it. Writing French? Sometimes it eludes me (since no one in Arizona speaks French).

Seems like China is also doing the same kind of "education" program right now... Probably because of the Olympics... humm....
I think in the US, by law (at least in California), people have to give the seats close to the exit to disabled person on a train or bus...

Well, the normal thing in here is leave yuor seat a pregant woman, a injured or a very old person, but if anyone hit or push you when you walk, very much people continue hisher path without even apologize...

Well manners make good 1st impressions

front seats for elder is the law here in USA.

When I was in Japan, I was amazed at how many people just openly picked their nose in public. It was pretty awesome.

I've seen a similar poster as well. The same kids were in a crowded train and the oblivious boy had a big backpack on which was pressing on the girl's back. I presume the message is : don't wear big backpacks in trains.

I've also noticed that too. The priority seating (usually at both ends of the train) is not at all observed. In Japan, it's just another comfy seat. In Korea however, priority seating is STRICTLY for the elderly / disabled. I've never seen young people sit on it... ever. If you do, the elderly citizens will probably go ballistic ^^;;

Yes, it is sorta shocking how rude some Japanese people can be on the streets. The anonymity and crowding and being almost too self contained and hogging seats, etc etc.

The 'pretending to be asleep' is pretty outrageous and offending, but I've seen it. I'd go ballistic if I was an elderly. heh.

manners here are average...

here, people are kind and are good samaritans and would offer help to those in need. at a train, there are people who will give up their seats for those who really need it like a disabled person, the elderly and to pregnant women...

but of course some have some bad habits like spitting at anywhere and at anytime, throwing garbage everywhere even if there's a nearby garbage can, always do the things which are not allowed, pissing at walls or at vehicle tires like some dog...stuff like those ^^;;;;

In my country(Thailand), I think people usually give up their seats in bus/train to old people , pregnant women. But a lot of people drop rubbishes, spit on streets. So I suppose it's average. (In fact, I don't often notice other people's act so I can't give many comments)

ps. sorry if my English is bad.

Locals in Jamaica will almost always get up to give the elderly, pregnant or disabled a seat

I'm from New York; WHAT manners? D:

I think Japanese have good manners for something like not bothering others. For example, we don't throw trush on street or parking lot, we use public places with quite good manner, something we directly involve other people.

However, for something we have to deal with other people, I think our manner get bad. For example, like danny says, we don't give up seats for others, we don't help elders on street( like carrying stuff for them).

I wish we become better at this matter though.

Well, people here *most* of the time give seats to the needy. As for other thing...depends, I guess.

toxicmind said something I can relate to. Where I live most people don't mind giving up their seats on buses and trains, but sometimes I feel there's people (usually young) who won't bother going out of their way to deal with others.
Personally I have to admit its a little hard for me to give up my seat >.< I'm usually wearing headphones and reading stuff, isolated form the rest of the worls]d (lol), so I forget to pay attention to other people around me.
...but when I do pay attention, I'll readily give up my seat, just for the record :P

well what can i say i live in long beach and when the buses are not that full when a handicapped comes in and people are sitting on the handicapped seats they wouldn't move THEY WOULD ONLY, ONLY!! MOVE WHEN THE DRIVER TALKS 2 THEM (i've seen this since i was 10 years old)
NO MANNERS AT ALL!!

"Even if the dog has diarrhea some folks would even scoop it up, rub it in their hands and wipe it in their hair."

... hahahahaha, cannot believe some of the stuff you think of. I bet these are the kind of stuff you have a secret fetish over... (^_-)

People around here tend to be somewhat average, but most people wouldn't move for someone on a train like that. But here it's more because nobody talks to anyone else, especially on public transport. It's always dead silent on buses and trains...it's really uncomfortable how silent everyone is.

When going around SF, it's pretty common that people will be willing to give up their seats for ones in more need (but they do have a sign that does sorta state that). Anyways, I find it a bit "sad" that some people in Japan don't seem very..."into?" that sort of thing. But I suppose every place has their "faults."

People are so nice here at my schools campus that the squirrels are no longer afraid of humans, seriously.

There are some good and some bad mannered people over in this area of the world that I live in.

I go to a college with lots of different people from all sorts of places. Generally people are good about letting out a space for the old or burdened, but the worse I see are from middle school and high school kids--they lay down across seats or stick their legs out to keep people from going over. There are nice ones for sure, but city kids have disappointed me quite a bit.

The annoying things I see from other college students is the person standing in the aisle who doesn't move to the back of a packed bus. Easier to steamroll them back than to ask them since some pretend not to hear.

Yeah, the UK is generally well mannered when it comes to giving seats. But keeping clean... that really annoys me. Specially in London, it's not that people want to throw away garbage, but because there are no rubbish bins to be found anywhere!

You either have to carry the rubbish in your pockets all day or just throw it away.

People here are incredibly nice! Even though i'm not disabled and am nearly an adult, people will still give me their seat if i hint that i want to sit down.

Manners here vary. From my experience though, I usually encounter more rude people than those who care about their fellowman. On the train, again, it varies. Usually, most people would get up and offer their seat to an elderly or to anyone with a kid (even if it's a man). I am actually more surprised when someone does that.

As for keeping the place clean, that's a whole different topic altogether. :)

Politeness and courtesy is like give and take, can't have everything. Yeah people may get up and give a seat to the elderly or pregnant lady over here but at the same time they can also be extremely rude in other situations. And littering is a common sight, although of recent years it is becoming less and less.

Cannot have everything, But it is sad to hear that people wouldn't give up a seat to a pregnant lady or the elderly.

Karma will strike back at you :|

I experienced this on a train in Tokyo. I was shocked that nobody got up for a frail looking old lady but she must have considered it to be normal practice. She was stunned when I offered her my seat, sat down gratefully and proceeded to engage my wife in conversation.

As school students, we've been told many times to give priority to the public when on public transport. I don't take public transport much but I'm sure most people would have manners to give up seats.

Most people in trains on Brisbane are not courteous, particularly the younger people i.e. under 35's. People on buses are a little better, but maybe that's because there is not usually a shortage of seats on my bus.

It really depends over here... some people are nice, while others are just horrible.
The dog poop scenario made me laugh... XD

".. rub it in their hands and wipe it in their hair." LOL?

Same in Singapore. I mean, what part of "Give way to alighting people" do those wanting to board don't understand? But it's not as bad as the government makes it out to be.

Cases like "pregnant mother with another baby strapped to her back" usually I see people giving up their seats.
With less frequency, disabled and old people also gets some consideration.
I have to pay some attention to that, because sometimes I just don't notice... I usually take the bus with my mp3 player on, and keep spacing out looking outside.

People tend to be "less polite" around here when buses are too crowded.

About keeping public spaces clean... one of the main reasons why I'm ashamed to be brazilian.
I think it all comes with education, which is something we don't have much in Brazil, unfortunately.

Public restrooms are a prime example. Unless you have people hired to clean them every minute every day, there are huge chances you'll find a filthy restroom.

People don't care much with health of others... I'm tired of sitting close to people who are sick, and will star coffing without even putting his/her hand to cover the mouth...

So, in winter time, there are lots of flu cases spreading out.
Using masks, like people do in Japan, is unthinkable.

I sometimes do, not to protect people from getting sickness from me, but to protect myself against sickness of others.

if i see a old person or just someone who is need of a seat more then i stand up and that they can take my seat. but our city buses have special seats just for the pregnant and spaces for people on wheelchairs. they have the right to tell you to get off the seat or move away from that space. if not the driver can make you do it or tell you to get off the bus. our buses even have cameras on and have security guards on each of them after 10:30 pm. so does the major bus stops.

Where I live manners are kinda "average"... but only in the "give a seat" situation. I've seen many folks offering their seats to elderly, but they politely refuse, because they get off in the next station. And nobody believes this until the old man/woman get off in the next station. It happens all of the time. Is it coincidence or conspiracy? XD

Anyways, I've had bad experiences when it come to offer/to be offered a seat. 3 years ago or so, I broke my ankle while going downstairs in a subway station (alas, what a coincidence XD). Anyways, 3 days later I had to go to my highschool to report it (I was just starting my internship in Ericsson, and I also had to report to them), and I had to take the train to go there. It was quite a long trip, and when I got in the train, NO ONE offered me a seat (even after many of the saw me with a pair of crutches. It pissed me off a lot. And the worst thing is that there were people sitting in the seats reserve to elderly, pregnant women and disable/etc.

When going back home, the same thing happened, but I managed to get a seat. Suddenly the train stopped between stations, and I almost fell on top of a woman sitting in front of me. She asked me with an annoyed face if I was Ok, I told her "No, I'm not OK. I have a BROKEN leg, and I'm using a pair of CRUTCHES, so how I'm supposed to be ´-,mºokay?".

we dont have shinkansen here but had MRT, nowadays the men, women, disable or senior were seperated. but during rush hour we stick together, in case of giving seat to those in need, yah count us in, even in the crowd with stress and fatique we still think of others, we dont feel well if other looks uncomforatable, we feel its our fault. and btw it feels great when you help or share

The manners here aren't too bad. The most of the stubborn people are tourists from the capital. Good thing they only come here in summer.

cant say much in this scenario since it happens in any region/country.
But yeah people need to know when they should give up their seat so that the ones who are definitely in need of one can rest till they arrive at their respective station.

hmm... i don't think this article is all that fair when talking about Japanese manners in general. This might be the case in Tokyo, but i'm pretty sure it's a different matter outside Tokyo. People tend to be a tad bit colder in Tokyo.... ><

There are some nice people here too, but most of them just ignore everyone around them. Littering, spitting, urinating, answering natures call, etc the less said the better. People hardly give a damn to our country's image. They have taken independence as granted, and think once they grow up their moral responsibilities are over.

Wow. I didn't realize that it has gotten bad enough that people had to be reminded.

Having only taken public transportation once in London, Ontario I can't make a judgement yet. In Toronto, I always find people acting as how Danny described (especially youngsters and those in their late 20s-early 30s). Me being 18 always give up my seat to people, help people carry groceries (or baby trolleys). I even offered my umbrella to some stranger once, since it was pouring.

Manners are fairly average here--except when driving. Then everyone turns into a caffeinated, territorial ape in a hurry, even if they're usually mild-mannered and actually have plenty of time to get where they're going.

don't they teach about this stuff at school?

well, they did from where I came from

some people say this lessons are just bull**** and they don't care at all, but wait till they get old and got ignored by the society

Well, all you young guys, there will come a time in your life when you are standing on the train (tube, underground) and a seat will become free and a young lady will offer it to you instead of taking it herself.

That is the day you know you are getting old.

It happened to me a couple of years ago and it's happened twice since. Some of the worst days of my life -- really depressing. I mean, even being middle aged, fat, married, and with a daughter, I still liked to think I have a chance with all the great looking young girls.

My wife just laughed, of course.

On the plus side when you get to that age you will find strangers will come to you in the street asking for help with a map, or something. So it isn't all bad.

Just finished reading "Shutting out the Sun" and Michael Zielenziger says (which is a quiet interesting conclusion, although I don't agree)
"The absence of universal principles and of a contractual, consensual relationship among a people may explain the relative passivity of civil society in contemporary Japan. Because Japanese are not taught that they have a duty to help those outside their own kin, they seldom exercise altruism. The homeless men and women camping rough in Tokyo's Ueno Park are usually fed hot soup by Korean Christians, not by native Japanese. This may be the reason motorists don't make way for an ambulance. It also suggests why Japanese can be so honorable and trustworthy in their personal dealings with "honored customers" or people they know, while their nation is rife with shocking corporate dishonesty. While Americans may cheat to enrich themselces, it is said, Japanese usually steal for their companies."

I grew up in Chicago and took the Bus and the "L" to high school almost every day for 4 years. My friends and I used to have a saying "All's fair in love and war and finding a seat on the bus" :) If there was an elderly person or a woman or someone that looked like they couldn't handle standing the entire time I would offer my seat. In today's world where manners are becoming more and more rare it is fun to exercise them once in a while .. sometimes you get some strange looks from people who aren't used to it.

yea not gonna lie... people's manners here suck

Here's the real scoop on New Jersey. Our manners are mostly disgusting. A friend has a shirt: "New Jersey: Where The Weak Are Killed And Eaten".

This about sums it up... My father has been living in California, and recently visited the East Coast for the first time in about 15 years, along with my grandmother (originally from New Jersey) and my sister (never been to the East Coast before, California born and raised). He noticed that no one smiles, and that when he smiled, people looked at him suspiciously. California might as well be a different country, when compared to the New York metropolitan Tri-State area.

Although, I have to say: commuters riding public transportation in this area are polite about giving up a seat. I can't vouch for rush hour, though... Locals are usually good about holding doors open, too. It's weird, because these same locals get all bent out of shape if made to wait too long on line (in a queue). This area is also about the most littered I've ever seen, anywhere. I've been to damn near all four corners of this quarter-hemisphere, and there's no place like home, when it comes to litterbugs. Sometimes, I even get to clean it up from the building grounds, at work.

You won't believe the things I have seen/picked up on the side of the road. *_*

E^d

I would give up my seat for the injured, pregnant or elderly. However if I see someone broken down on the highway usually I will not stop, assuming someone else will or the person will call AAA.

When i lived in New Jersey for a few yrs they have NO manners on the East Coast in America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love Korea where everyone has manners even the korean gangsters!!!!!!!!!! ^___^ no places like Japan and Korea ^__^