MUSUBI: 3 Must-Know Social Faux Pas in Japan

The first and most common social faux pas is speaking too loudly on the trains. Unlike in China, America or the UK, trains in Japan are usually quiet. People are very mindful about not bothering others, so this is particularly important. Personally, I have seen my fellow foreigners commit this faux pas countless times, so it definitely deserves to be mentioned. In addition, people here will generally not tell strangers to stop or quiet down outside of extreme cases, so you have to be aware of it yourself. It goes without saying that talking on the phones in a train is usually not recommended. If you absolutely must take a call, be ready to step off at the next station. Thank goodness for texting!

The second social faux pas has to do with eating. Generally speaking, if you purchase a snack or drink from a convenience store, it is fine to eat it right outside of the store away from the middle of the sidewalk. It is, however, usually not a good idea to eat while walking, which has traditionally been considered rude. A major reason why the streets in Japan are so clean is precisely because the rules are in place to prevent litter from being thrown everywhere in public areas.

There are exceptions to this though. It may be common to see people walking and eating in theme parks or during festivals when snacks and ‘finger foods’ are in plentiful supply at stands and carts. In general, this is one faux pas that’s faded somewhat with the younger generation. People will still usually try not to make a mess or inconvenience others with their eating though. The safest solution is always to slow down and find a place to enjoy whatever it is you’re eating, rather than risk dropping it all over yourself and the street.

The last social faux pas is a widely-known one, but still deserves to be mentioned because it’s arguably the most important of all. Wearing outdoor shoes indoors is quite common in America, but it is definitely not the case in Japan.

At the genkan, or entrance, of a house, please take off your outdoor shoes and use the indoor slippers instead. This helps keep the owner’s home clean. It would be very disrespectful otherwise. This also applies to your own apartment- leave your outside shoes at the entrance and switch to slippers. There are even some kinds of traditional restaurant where you may need to remove your shoes at the entrance before being seated.

Although sometimes social etiquette in Japan may seem strict overall, the benefits that come with following the rules are apparent in everyday life. Try not to stress yourself over the minute details, but also be aware and respectful of the local culture. It will definitely improve your relationship with the Japanese people, because respect is a two-way street; it is mutually-shared and given.

Photo Credits:

Top image: 78design / PhotoAC

(1) FineGraphics / PhotoAC

(2) ミナミ / PhotoAC

(3)  スネーィル / PhotoAC

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