In recent years, Japan has become a cultural center and a place for those who love history, food, art, music, and more! As a result, many foreigners have chosen the country to reside in or vacation in. However, Japan has a set of traditions and cultural values that are unusual and foreign to Westerners. As such, making social or social mistakes without knowing it is possible. Here are some tips to avoid embarrassing yourself when arriving in the land of the rising sun.
A new meaning of Christmas
In the West, Christmas is a public holiday celebrated by everyone. This is a time for presents, Christmas trees, presents, singing carols, and more. However, in Japan, holidays are not treated as such. Christmas is celebrated in Japan, but mainly for couples. They will go out to dinner on Christmas Eve and have a romantic activity the next day.
Slippers in the bathroom
In Japan, special slippers are worn when going to the toilet. These slippers can be shared. After using the slippers, you need to return them to their original position and location in which they were found. Failure to do so can disrespect the host or embarrass guests if they forget to remove their slippers before leaving the bathroom.
Four is an unlucky number.
Like the number thirteen in Western circles, the number “four” is taboo in Japan. This number is banned mainly because it sounds like the word for death. For visiting expats, you must not give anything in sets of four, as this will be seen as disrespectful and a bad omen.
Never give tips
In the West, tipping is a way to show someone they’ve done their best to serve. However, in Japan, tipping is an insult, if not outright humiliation. The Japanese believe that hard work is essential, so everything counts towards the cost of service. If you leave a tip, workers will return the money.
Don’t dance at nightclubs.
This can be one of the most complex problems for ex-pats, as nightclubs are almost synonymous with dancing for them. However, in Japan, dancing is strictly prohibited in lounges. Nightclubs help reinforce this rule by posting polite signs asking those inside not to dance. All of this stems from a law passed in the 80s that required a specific floor area to be licensed to dance, and given the high cost of real estate in Japan, most places cannot.
No trash can
If you are a tourist or visitor in Japan, finding a place to throw your trash will be hard. This is because, in the past, people have abused the privilege. So for those visiting Japan, leave your trash in a bag or bring a garbage bag to take it home at the end of the day.
