10 Japanese Obsession

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

It is no exaggeration to say that Japan is a country obsessed with social rules. The Japanese are meticulous in all matters. If you ask a Japanese person 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 for a train for more than a minute, take a deep breath and calm down. It’s definitely something that’s out of their control.

9. Hygiene issues must always be ensured

Many people wonder if Japan is so polluted when 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 keep yourself clean. 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, 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 expiration 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 can 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 the fact that they too had noisy and mischievous childhoods before forcing their 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, going to the cinema in Japan is probably 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. For Japanese people, being a public figure means being very careful in your speech and demeanor. Otherwise, your career can end and be passed on to someone else.

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 obey the silence rules, 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, there are not many people with 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 are famous for their effective methods of caring for and raising their children. But they should probably reconsider their overprotective ways of giving their children the chance to develop fully.

According to Trithuctre