Riding Japanese trains
- Fon Shibuya Papaya
- Nov 2, 2016
- 2 min read
Japanese railway systems are one of most impressive that I have seen especially in Tokyo. You can literally go anywhere by train in Japan ! Love it ! However, I found some culturally shocking things while I first rode on trains in Japan. Note that these are just my personal opinions and may or may not "culturally" shocking to everyone else. Okidoki here we go !
1. No talking on the phone whilst on the train :
This one you may have heard of, but if you don't mute your phone ( in Japanese : マナーモード [manner mode] ) or pick up a call in the train you will feel cold stares from all the locals on the train..brrr...Why ? In the Japanese culture it is polite to not `bother` others with noise in a closed publicly shared space.
2. Many young ones don't give up their seats for the elders :
I've seen many elders stand while younger ones pretend not to see them (eg. look at their phones, sleep) when these elders are literally standing right infront of them ! Why ? ... I dunno I have no answer to this one. Maybe everyone is just plainly self centered and lazy to care about others ?
3. When you thought the Japanese are the most politest in the world, the old men in suits will make you think twice :
It's something about train stations and rush hours that makes many old サラリーマン (Salary men ) transform into grumpy rude a**holes ! They will just step and elbow the heck out of you through the crazy crowd without caring at all (nope these guys do not say "sorry"). Some people may even yell at you if you are in the way. If you run into them - just forgive and forget, they probably had a rough day.
4. There are actually ちかん [chikan or perverts] on packed trains :
Ok - things may have gotten alot better compared to when I used to live there but just know that there may be some of these weirdos still left around. What you have read in those マンガ[manga, comic books] or series are actually true. If any ladies out there ever run into one of these weirdos just yell or elbow or step on them and they will quickly be out of your sight.
Other than that, Japanese trains are awesome !
Your favorite Papaya in Shibuya,
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