1) You Apologies and Thank others with a Bow
After I came back from Japan, I unconsciously apologised and thanked almost anyone with a small bow. That is not surprising since in Japan I did it quite often. The funny thing tho is that people look at you as someone funny once you come back from Japan. Sometimes they will even treat you more nicely because they see you as a humble and nice person.
2) Taking a Nap in the Train
At first, I usually did not take naps in train because I felt like I was going to miss the Station. In Japan, it is quite common to see people taking small naps and then waking up making it barely out of the train at their station. I thought that must be some sort of Japanese train sensor in their brains. In fact, it is a habit. Every station is mentioned through the speakers so it is easy to take a nap and wait until your station is called up. After some rides, you can sit down, take a nap and wait for your station.
3) You become more respectful
The first time I noticed this was with my reverse culture shock. When I came back from Japan I usually said to my friends: "That doesn't happen in Japan" or "How rude how can they do that in Public" or "Why are people so loud everywhere". Japanese trains can be jam packed but the train is very silent. People barely talk on the train and even on the streets people do not shout or behave in a shameful way as in Europe and the USA.
You notice the beauty of Japan in drunken men.
I rode once a late night train from Chou to Minato. In the train, was a drunken salary man. All seats were filled and he was holding to a bar. He barely could stand and was moving from left to right. It was one of the funniest things I have seen. He was drunk but he did not yell nor molester anyone. He just closed his eyes and waited for his station. We both left on the same station. He was pushing himself against the wall so he doesn't push anyone else. All the time Japanese people were looking at him trying to say: "Why are you embarrassing us?". It was that typical dishonor look but I was surprised at how drunken Japanese men behave.
In Europe and the USA, things would have been different. You would usually have to be careful because drunken men can be very violent. They yell, sing and talk with themselves loudly.
In Europe and the USA, things would have been different. You would usually have to be careful because drunken men can be very violent. They yell, sing and talk with themselves loudly.
Final Word
At the end it all boils down to being respectful and nice. You just try not to make too much noise in public and to not bother others. That is the basic nature of Japanese people in Japan Society.
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