I know people glaze about Japan quite a lot even though it’s not a perfect country but coming from a country like China, Japan is really a magical land especially when it comes to manners.
In China, you have to somehow get ready when getting out train and elevators because people will push you (the people trying to get out) so they can get in first. Then there’s also the smoking and spitting but that’s a whole different issue. Although, Shinjiku has its fare share of smokers in the street especially at night.
Obviously not quite like NYC Metro with how raw it can be but still, it’s a mild annoyance that gets to you.
I know people have mentioned sometimes how Japan can be too stiff but I think that’s the beauty of the country.
by Dry_Statement_8800
25 comments
I once went to China right after a Japan trip and the difference was so extreme, it’s ridiculous. One comes to appreciate the Japanese manners quite a lot.
Not trying to hate on the Chinese people, it’s just a different culture and I’m sure there are people that prefer it that way.
I went from China to Hong Kong to Singapore in one week and the difference was wild.
Did Japan right after Hong Kong. Difference was crazy as well
That’s me right now. Just left Tokyo for Guangzhou and spent the first 5 mins outside the airport arguing with the taxi driver who refused to try to put two suitcases in the boot.
And the custom offer directing all passengers from the Tokyo flight to scan their checked bags before exiting; whilst at every other flight gets waved through. Petty racism at work.
Worked in China for a few years after many years of living in Japan. The difference in manners etc. was extreme. The Japanese wife and I flew back to Japan literally every second month for a long weekend to get away from the ‘madness’ of daily life in China.
Bro I don’t really know. I really like the vibe in China sometimes. Felt like a breath of fresh air and color from the stilted, quiet Japanese way of doing things. Yeah you get shoving and spiting and stuff, but also people being a lot more boisterous and friendly out of the gate, ready to have a good time. Sometimes Japan feels like endless grey, both inside and out. It’s nice to look at, but it’s really quite cold when you try to get close. Sometimes you just want some fuckin honesty and willingness to break some dumbass rules, something I’ve come across often in China.
Agree with you on this. My son went to college in Beijing and now lives in Japan. I like the politeness of the Japanese very much (just got back about three hours ago.) Getting trampled getting on and off the trains in China is scary. And the spitting is crazy. Don’t wear your outside shoes inside. 🤮 I’ve seen Japanese workers scrubbing gum off the pavement and cleaning up after spills on the sidewalk in front of their businesses. I’m not down on the Chinese either. Japan does have a lot of “rules” but it is a very clean and safe place to visit.
I dont think anyone has ever glazed over japan…
In fact, its a common meme that if something bad happens in another country or its looked down upon if it happens in Japan then its good regardless of the circumstances.
Extreme** Example: xenophobia in the US 😮💨🤮 ; Xenophobia in Japan 🥰😍🤩💯💥
Travel in China is honestly fine. I was there recently and didnt have many issues. Its not like Japan which has its culture ingrained into the transport system but its honestly not that wild in comparison like you are making it out to be as if China is awful and Japan is a paradise.
Japan – The Germans of the East.
China has always been a “no manner, no education” type of impression on me. And I know it’s mostly true. They don’t exactly promote the same vitrues that Japan does. Just look at the Chinese tourists. And now you’ve gone inside their homeland. What’d you expect, sadly?
I feel this deeply. Was 5 weeks in China(amazing country, would definitely go back and explore more). But the sporting and shoving around is really annoying (the spitting is really disgusting but it’s not the only country where there do this)
Mainland?
I guess depending on the area? In my experience on our trips to Shanghai & Beijing, didnt quite experience any pushing or rude people. In Xi’an on the other hand, we did experience a lady letting her child pee almost near me. I just try to think maybe the child (Im guessing maybe 2 or 3 yo?) could no longer hold her pee despite the restroom is about 50 meters away 🥺
There is such a generous ease in Japan. I know there’s a lot of rules but the civility is like a warm blanket
It seems China has no crowd etiquette or line etiquette. If they do, I couldn’t figure it out. You’re in a line? Oh well, now I’m in front of you. 🤷♂️
I’m currently traveling in Japan for the first time and really loving it, especially the beauty of the historic temples and shrines. I have also been to China and loved it as well—the scale and geographic diversity of the country is unimaginable.
I don’t understand why it’s necessary to make this kind of comparison. There are so many people eager for an opportunity to shit on China and the Chinese.
Obviously, China and Japan are culturally different. When talking about China, I think it’s important to keep in mind the very recent and turbulent history. China went from being the poorest country on earth (by GDP) in the 1970s to the juggernaut it is today. This change happened over the course of about 30 years, starting with reform and opening in the 1980s. It’s been mind blowing to see the progress being made (including the adoption of more globalized manners, which are improving), but at the same time, there are many people who are still relatively uneducated, with manners trained by relatively recent memories of starvation and chaos. By GDP per capita, China is still a developing nation.
You had to travel to china to realize that? 😂😂😂
I went from Tokyo to Hanoi. To say it was sensory overload would be putting it mildly.
I think what most don’t get is the stiffiness is why one gets the magic of Japan. It is all the invisible rules and discipline that gives rise to what a lot of us love it but you also sometimes have to live with the rules and hence it may not be so flexible as you wish.
China is a completely different culture and one that is truly communist party above everything else. A lot will say it has changed a lot but its core hasn’t and because of the system there is about the party, and system is not to serve the people but the party and how it wants to maintain its grip. That ultimately gives rise to very different people .
You know you are pretty much comparing the other ends of the spectrum right?
But yes, I agree with you
It’s just a matter of preference: essence-stifling, rule-loving politeness or wild, dirty, in-your-face bluntness.
But of course, there are huge differences between the different parts of each country…. Similar to the differences, but perhaps profoundly less-significantly-so, in Canada and America’s East Coast, West, South, etc.
I will take repressed uptight polite Japanese over rude people any day
Both have their ups and downs but yeah the difference was also quite drastic for me, coming from Beijing to Kyoto
I spent time 2 weeks in japan and 2 weeks in china and I loved China so much more than Japan. Yes the Japanese are much more conscious when it comes to manners and cleanliness but China was life changing for me. Japan was just hyper consumption to the max while China had a richer cultural and economic background that I found inspiring.
Bro, I went to Japan from India and I don’t even know where to start? 😆 Japan is an incredible country that I’ll never forget, in a positive way.
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