Letters Home: Cultural differences between the United States and Japan

letters-home-cultural-differences-between-the-united-states-and-japan

A Shelby County Post reader, Sandra, recently wrote to ask about cultural differences between the U.S. and Japan. It seems she is planning a trip to Japan and is nervous about making cultural gaffes while visiting friends and traveling around Japan as a tourist.

The good news is that Japanese people are quite gracious and forgiving of cultural missteps for newbies or first-time visitors, within reason. However, once a person decides to live in Japan for an extended period of time, there is an expectation to know and observe cultural protocol more strictly.

In recent years, there has been a huge influx of foreign visitors to Japan and with that, a lot of animosity toward selfish visitors who exhibit rude behavior. It is important to be aware of others around you and to not behave in a way that would be intrusive, obnoxious or unseemly, keeping cultural protocol in your mind whenever possible as not to be obtrusive.

Especially in places like Kyoto, local residents are fed up with tourists who tend to be impolite and unwilling to adhere to Japanese cultural sensitivities and manners, and/or who behave inappropriately around temples and shrines during special events and festivals.

I will try to cover some general cultural differences in this column, which by no means is comprehensive, but should be enough to put Sandra at ease before she travels to Japan for her adventure.

One cultural difference that first-time visitors often notice is how cash is rarely exchanged from one’s hand to another person’s hand directly. Japan is slowly changing from a cash-based society to more of a credit card-based culture, and while cards are becoming more widely accepted, there are smaller businesses and some restaurants that do not take cards. So, before deciding to purchase something, it is a good idea to take a gander toward the register to see if you see a Visa emblem (or other credit card company) displayed prominently on or around the cash register.

Cash is still king in many facets of society in Japan, and typically, each transaction is conducted via a small tray that is usually found beside the cash register. The customer places the money for the items in the tray, and the staff person then picks it up, counts it, and returns any change to the customer via this tray. If using a credit card, if it is not set up to tap directly or doesn’t have a slot to place the card in the machine by the customer, then it is proper to place your credit card on this same tray for payment.

Interestingly, this custom of placing money down and not handing the money directly to the cashier could be considered rude in the United States.  If the money is placed on the counter, the salesperson might be miffed to have to scoop it up off the counter, so most transactions are from hand to hand in the U.S.

This next cultural difference is admittedly regional in Japan, but generally speaking, eating in public while strolling or using public transportation is frowned upon by most Japanese people. I lived in the northern part of Japan for 20 years before moving to Kyushu and one of my first culture shocks after moving to Fukuoka was how people would eat snacks on trains and buses, and while walking outside, as compared to my experience of living in Aomori, where it was seldom ever done.

Japanese people prefer to go to a place and sit down to eat, largely because it is less messy and then there is no need to find a trash receptacle to dispose of any wrappers or used containers or cans.  Public trash cans are few and far between in Japan, so disposing of trash can be problematic if eating on the run.

Even if people buy a snack at a convenience store, they will often stand outside to eat it rather than to walk and eat. Usually, these shops have trash receptacles to dispose of the wrappers so it makes it more convenient. Also, it is considered bad manners and improper to eat food that might have a strong odor in public because it might disturb others in the immediate area.

With that said, however, I have certainly noticed the younger generation being more apt and open to eating on the go. The older generation still tends not to do it, from my personal observations and experience. This is in direct contrast to the U.S., where people can frequently be seen walking while eating and drinking in a variety of situations and locations. 

One exception in Japan for eating on a train is if it is a long-distance train ride like on the Bullet Train. In this case, it is perfectly acceptable to take snacks, lunch, and drinks to eat on the train. In fact, on some trains, an attendant comes around with a trolley selling snacks and drinks throughout the trip.

Speaking of Japanese trains, there is prescribed etiquette that is observed regularly on most forms of public transportation in Japan.  In the U.S,, it is common for people to do whatever they want while a passenger on such modes of transportation — like eating, drinking, talking/texting, listening to music, playing games, working, etc.

In Japan. there are some rather rigid social rules that most people tend to follow when using public transportation.  The most important rule, perhaps, is not to be disruptive to other passengers by taking up too much space, making unnecessary noise by talking loudly to travel mates or on the phone, or behaving in such a way that might bring attention to yourself by other passengers.

In fact, it can be eerily quiet on trains and buses even during rush hour when crammed full of people. Also, if traveling with baggage, it is important to stay to the side, out of the way, so people can easily embark and disembark the train at the stops. Japanese people tend to be very aware of those around them so as not to be inconsiderate or a bother to others. It is best to try to follow these largely unwritten and unspoken sets of strict social rules when using public transportation in Japan.

In general, many of the cultural differences are somewhat based on the idea of collectivist vs. individualistic tendencies. Japan tends to place more importance on the community or group of the person, whereas the U.S. leans toward more individual inclinations, broadly speaking. Japanese place significance upon the identity of the group, whether that is their workplace, family, community, or social group, whereas Americans often place more weight upon their own individual needs, accomplishments, and even aspirations. 

This extends to verbal interactions in that Japanese people often are more reserved about what they share with others, especially strangers, and Americans tend to be much more open, sharing personal details with virtual strangers who may happen to be sitting next to them on an airplane for a short flight or standing next to them in line at the bank. This reservation to share by Japanese people should not be interpreted as being standoffish or aloof, but just tentative in sharing personal or sensitive information that might cause them embarrassment or to lose face with the other person (this even extends to close friendships, sometimes, where Japanese people are purposefully vague and not forthcoming with sensitive information or personal details).

Again, this list is certainly not inclusive of all the cross-cultural differences one finds when visiting Japan, but hopefully these few suggestions will put Sandra at ease as she embarks upon her adventure in Japan. Sandra is travelling at a good time regarding the dollar to yen exchange rate.

Japan historically has not fallen into the “bargain destination” category in a long time, but the huge influx of foreign visitors now is, in part, due to the advantageous exchange rate. It is certainly putting stress upon the popular destinations in Japan, like Kyoto and Tokyo, so if you can visit other places in Japan that are off the beaten path, you might have a more positive and enriching experience.

Todd Jay Leonard was born and raised in Shelbyville, but has called Japan home for over 34 years. He is currently a full-professor at the University of Teacher Education Fukuoka in Kyushu where he lives, writes, and teaches. He is the author of 26 books and can be reached at toddjayleonard@yahoo.com.