10 Japanese Obsession

Not all Japanese people are comfortable with being constrained by rules and regulations. Sometimes they are too much for them to bear.

It is no exaggeration to say that Japan is a country obsessed with rules of social conduct. The Japanese are always careful in all matters. If you ask a Japanese about the rules of conduct, you can spend all day memorizing these "unwritten" laws.

However, sometimes things go too far, even for the Japanese themselves. A survey has pointed out 10 things that even Japanese people have to shake their heads in dismay when mentioning the "rigid" rules of conduct in the land of the rising sun.

10. Public transport must always be on time

No one wants to miss a train or bus. However, the concept of "late" is relative and varies from country to country. In Japan, if the subway is even 1 minute late, people will be annoyed and may react negatively.

Obviously, no one wants their schedule to change or be late, including the train drivers. So if you “accidentally” have to wait longer than a minute, take a deep breath and calm down. It’s definitely something that’s out of their control.

9. Hygiene must always be ensured

Many people wonder if Japan is so polluted that Japanese people always wear masks when going out, even walking? Or is it because Japanese people are so afraid of bacteria that they have to wash their hands many times a day? In fact, Japanese people are always careful about health issues when they see germs everywhere.

There’s no denying that you can get sick if you don’t maintain good hygiene. But a little sand play, getting dirty, or enjoying the smells around you won’t make your kids sick right away.

8. TV shows must be engaging

Bored with TV? No problem, you can change the channel, even turn off the TV and turn on the internet to watch. In Japan, it's different, where TV shows and game shows always have to renew themselves with new versions and attractive content if they don't want to be booed by the audience.

Therefore, don't be too surprised if you come across Japanese game shows that are somewhat sensitive and a bit... strange.

7. The expiry date must be absolutely accurate.

For many products, using them a few days after the expiration date is not a big deal. The expiration date is simply the most reasonable time before which the user should use the product.

However, the Japanese believe that expiration dates are a "golden rule" in consumption and that even a single day off will likely land you in the hospital. This has led to food waste as they are willing to throw expired products into the trash even if they still look brand new.

6. Children must play quietly in residential areas.

Asking children to play without making a sound is like asking them to sing without opening their mouths! With an aging population, residential areas in Japan, from cities to the countryside, are filled with elderly people. And the elderly need quiet in their old age.

Perhaps, the elderly should think back to their noisy and mischievous childhoods before forcing the children to play quietly.

5. Absolute silence in the elevator

For Japanese people, the closing of the elevator means complete silence, even if you are in the middle of a conversation. This obsession makes many young people in Japan feel tired when the elevator ride only lasts a few dozen seconds but they are not allowed to open their mouths, no matter how important the conversation is.

4. Keep quiet in the cinema

If you want to laugh at lighthearted comedies, or react to horror movies; perhaps going to the cinema in Japan is not the right choice. The Japanese themselves feel "suffocated" by having to be absolutely discreet, even in the cinema.

Remember, this is a movie theater, not a library.

3. Celebrity statements are not allowed to be wrong.

It is not uncommon for celebrities to make shocking statements. However, how the public reacts is the issue worth discussing.

In Japan, if you are a celebrity and make a bad statement, your career can be completely ruined. In Japan, being a public figure means you have to be absolutely meticulous in your speech and demeanor. Otherwise, your career can be over and someone else will take over.

2. Keep absolute silence on the train

Again, keep absolutely quiet on the train. If you don't want to remember exactly where you need to be quiet, it's best to not say anything at all, including your own home!

1. Children should not have scratches or bruises.

Many foreigners think that Japanese parents always let their children grow up naturally. But in reality, not many people have that mindset. Most Japanese parents are haunted by the fear that their children will be bullied or have accidents at school.

Obviously, no one wants their children to come home from school with scratches or bruises, but it's completely normal for children to have such minor "accidents" while at school: running around too much, fighting with a friend, or falling... That's also when children can learn many things from life and valuable lessons.

However, for Japanese parents, this is unacceptable. Their children must be completely intact, healthy, go to school and come home well-behaved. This has caused discontent among many Japanese people who believe that children are being forced into too many things.

Japanese parents have always been famous for their effective methods of caring for and raising their children. But perhaps they need to reconsider whether they are too protective of their children and do not give them the opportunity to develop fully.

According to Trithuctre