We tell everything about the Japanese. What is their upbringing and why are they so polite
Asian countries remain a mystery today, even when borders are blurred and there are many ways to experience a foreign culture. Among Asian countries, Japan is considered one of the most unique. There are many stereotypes, mysteries and questions about Japan and the Japanese. Japan is unique, nanotechnology is intertwined with amazingly ancient traditions, and customs are sacred, like the laws of the country.
Contents of the article:
The only reliable way to learn about the Japanese is to go to the land of the rising sun.
Education
The Japanese are among the most educated people. These are not endless, noisy crowds of Chinese tourists. The Japanese are noble and always ready to help. Even if you get lost on the confusing streets of Tokyo, the Japanese will always come to your aid. Even without knowing English, they can help using live gestures, signs and cards, or at least try very hard.
You can safely contact them for help.
Rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner
We can safely say about the Japanese that they eat rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Literally everything is made from rice. It is used not only as a side dish, but also as a dessert, and even alcohol is made from it.
This is due to the fact that rice was once a very expensive product, almost equivalent to money. The poor could only afford to eat rice dishes on holidays, while merchants and nobles could afford to buy it every day.
Today there is still a deep respect for this product. Even tourists are encouraged to eat rice. This is due to the fact that it is considered extremely unethical to leave it on a plate; it dishonors the owner of the house or establishment, as well as the entire pantheon of ancient gods and goddesses.
Unsweetened sweets
Traditional Japanese desserts consist of the most unusual ingredients for European consumers. These are matches, rice flour, chestnuts and beans. Additionally, desserts are often seasonal. For example, in all establishments you can find cherry blossoms, cherry petals, chips and cherry-flavored chocolate ice cream.
Japanese supermarkets are amazing warehouses of desserts. The taste of basabi, cakes made from frozen raw dough, chestnut cookies — the most harmless of Japanese delicacies.
Peculiar fashion
The Japanese love to pose for the camera, and the diversity and authenticity of their styles never cease to inspire photographers. There is a whole street in Japan. Basically, it”s a colorful catwalk where you can wear new clothes and get a photo opportunity at Styl Stile.
In Japan, it is a unique street style that serves as inspiration for many underground designers. Layering, bright colors, logomania, incompatible combinations — all this complements the eclectic and vibrant images of Japan.
Pedantry
In Japan, everything always happens on time. The Germans are famous for their punctuality, but sometimes they are also to blame for being late; the Japanese do not use them, however, Japanese public transport has no equal. The Japanese themselves can also be time-tested. They are not in a hurry, but they are not slow either. The Japanese are some of the most organized people. Despite the queues in stores, despite the crowds in the metro, no one is jostling or crowding — everything is organized harmoniously. It’s as if the whole country is a solid, well-oiled machine.
Digital
All Japanese people, young and old: all establishments in Japan have been using VPay for a long time. The most popular phone model is the iPhone.
As for the Japanese, they are one of the most technologically advanced countries. Older generations have no problem joining the new technological world; you can see 50 year old men playing various trendy mobile games.
Emotionality
As for the Japanese, it cannot be said that they were not equally emotional. Unlike their British counterparts, they display warm feelings in the same way as dogs and horses. However, they are simply not ready to engage in emotional displays in public. Hugging and kissing in public places is completely unacceptable. This is too personal and should remain behind closed doors.
In these circumstances, tourists should also refrain from showing their emotions in public, as foreign traditions should be respected.
Politeness
The Japanese are always polite and courteous — this is traditional behavior. Moreover, the Japanese completely exclude even the possibility of appearing rude. The structure of the language is such that it is impossible to even send someone to hell without adding “very kind.” From the outside it sounds very comical, especially for foreigners.
In addition to the Japanese language, a lot depends on the non-verbal elements of communication. As for politeness, it is impossible to simply be rude, since it is mainly manifested in cars, and many everyday behaviors are subject to many rules.
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You cannot begin to eat without declaring your intention to take advantage of the hospitality offered. They are needed not only when guests call for dinner, but also when the owner of the house himself wants to work up an appetite before having lunch himself or having lunch with others. And in restaurants where friends are present, it is, of course, completely impolite not to thank the chef for not asking for anything from the kitchen.
It is considered invalid to leave the table without thanking everyone at least several times, so the Japanese express their gratitude sincerely and automatically.
Do not enter the office and apologize to the owner for being aggressive. To leave without warning or loudly announce your arrival to your household, Japan cannot afford to self-recriminate.
Modesty
Yes, the porn industry in Japan is indeed very developed, but at the same time, the Japanese are very modest people. Japanese modesty can manifest itself in completely different ways.
Perhaps the biggest problem for the Japanese is the issue of wages and money. Credit material has made life as easy as possible in the Land of the Rising Sun, since it is considered completely unacceptable to show cash and take out a wallet in public.
The situation is complicated by the fact that money is one of the most common gifts for various holidays. An indicator of Japanese aristocracy and modesty is their ability to not draw attention to their own prosperity and generosity. Transferring borrowed money from hand to hand is also considered bad form of speech. Just put it in an envelope or box and take it out.
Peculiar manners
To the average European, Japanese table behavior may seem very strange and offensive. In fact, it is customary for Japanese people to slurp, slap their mouths, lament, and make a lot of unpleasant noises at the table. For this reason, the Japanese prefer to thank hosts and cooks for food.
No matter how many years a foreigner has lived in Japan, he remains a “gayajin” outsider until he learns to accompany himself while eating. The Japanese do this with the envy of any musician.
This is very difficult to get used to while traveling. Unfortunately, you can only negotiate.
Bows
Indeed, the Japanese bow like clockwork. However, upon closer inspection, each bow is slightly different from the other. In Japan, this bow determines the percentage of status of the person bowing. For foreigners, these subtleties are not necessary to learn, but when it comes to traveling and working in Japan, it is necessary to find the right path.
Japan. Japanese mentality. what they really are
Drinking culture
And here the Japanese showed great activity. Usually the precision and accuracy of the Japanese when intoxicated are completely out of balance. Perhaps all the “vices” of their character, hidden behind a 16-hour working day, come out precisely under alcohol, but such gatherings even look a little creepy.
Giving your boss your last meal, harassing colleagues of the opposite sex, dancing at tables, screaming at karaoke and begging for mercy on your eardrums are all typical Japanese work parties. How they managed to come to work in a good mood and take the next day off is completely beyond me, but it’s true.
As for today”s youth, most of them do not behave this way. More and more young people are giving up alcohol altogether, and their social needs for communication and connection are changing. Instead of alcohol, drink liters of green tea or milkshakes.
Gifts
The Japanese love to give gifts. In Japan, it is even common to have separate months for midsummer and the end of the year in addition to the major holidays. Nowadays, it is customary to give gifts to all business partners and friends.
Gifts for business partners require special treatment. The partner is given something useful and applicable in everyday life, for example, a basket for dishes or a set of bath accessories.
Certain rules and traditions also governed the acceptance and giving of gifts. For example, a gift should not be opened in the presence of the giver, so as not to put the person in an awkward position with words or gestures.
However, the important aspect of a gift is the packaging, not the contents. A small item in a beautiful and expensive package is valued higher than an expensive watch in a simple package. This may seem strange to Europeans, but the Japanese themselves really value attention to detail and detail.
Work
The Japanese can be called the most hardworking nation. And of course they exist. Their working day can last up to 16 or even 18 hours. Three days off are considered holidays and sick leave is not issued. Nobody comes to work on time. The bravest ones come exactly half an hour before the start of the working day.
In larger groups you will find well-equipped sleeping quarters. In Japanese reality, overwork is a frighteningly common phenomenon.
It would seem that such work implies a decent pension, but this is not at all the case. It is assumed that the citizen takes care of his pension himself, so the pension deduction does not exceed $500. And this is Japan, where the standard of living is very high, and life itself is very expensive, at least in the city.
Smoking
Considering that the Japanese are also stressed by the number of cigarettes they smoke per day, it is completely unclear how the Japanese continue to remain a long-living country. Lunch breaks and smoke breaks are the only times when you can leave the workplace without being judged. And many Japanese take advantage of this opportunity. Therefore, smoking is the main bad habit of the population.
Security
In Japan, with its large population, it is impossible to keep track of everyone, so crime must occur at every stage. However, this does not happen. The laws in the country are very strict, the police work intermittently, and the people themselves are very honest and educated.
Lost wallets become finds, not the pockets of passers-by. Six-year-olds are free to attend school by public transport, but this is an indicator of safety, not the result of parental care.
It”s hard to say what caused this enslavement: the upbringing of the Japanese themselves, the seriousness of the law, or how clearly everything was focused on organized crime in this place, but the fact remains that Tokyo is considered the safest major city in the world.
A trip to the land of the rising sun cannot leave even the most experienced traveler indifferent. A rich culture, an unusual nature, a densely populated immensity, a technological paradise — all this is strangely intertwined and creates a unique pattern at the expense of perhaps closer acquaintances.
