How would you compare people's manners in public in Tokyo with other cities around the world?

Thursday 12th June, 05:15 AM JST

Latest 15 of 44 Total Comments Show All

capone at 10:19 PM JST - 12th June

tokyo: worse than thailand, laos, cambodia, burma, singapore...better than HK, china
KitsuneYoukai at 10:47 PM JST - 12th June

I hear Tokyo is better than Osaka and Kyshuu areas. I didn't have any problems while in Tokyo both times. In fact I guess you can say I fell within that "cone" Honen was talking about. Both my guy friends and their friends actually open the door for me and while on a trip to Mount Fuji brought a blanket to cover my legs while in the car in case I was cold. I've heard from others that Tokyo is a little more sophisticated and that's why I haven't had problems like some foreign women who go to Osaka area where they've had bad experiences. They said they had trouble with men grabbing/groping them. I'm glad my experince has been different.
gurepu at 08:24 AM JST - 13th June

Can't speak for all of Japan but Tokyo definitely seems to be on its way downhill lately. Two females or under 25 in your vicinity means you'll have no peace on your morning train ride. Three females or more over 50 means you'll be debating about getting off early and catching the next train. Catching the same train as an entire girls school on their way to school in the AM will have you wondering if its time to leave Japan-tomorrow. There is guaranteed to be at least one male picking his nose on any given car at any given time. If there are less than 5 people on any car, there is guaranteed to be at least one male with bad hair playing his ipod too loud. If there are more than 5 people, everyone's ipod will be at a respectable level. Parents with children are the new obaasans, never failing to block a door. I could go on but I have a train to catch. Noise-canceling headphones are a lifesaver in Tokyo. If you have the common sense to wear them and still be aware of whats going on around you.
blvtzpk at 08:39 AM JST - 13th June

I'm going with Taka's take. And the 'cone.' And a lot of this is pure selfishness. Manners require you to think of the other person, and to reinforce others' impression of yourself. If you don't care about them and you are basically anonymous within a big city, then why bother with manners?

I guess I was raised to be polite to strangers, even though I may never meet or see those people ever again. However, I feel that in Japan the fact that you're a stranger means that no special treatment needs to be afforded to you by the majority UNLESS you're a customer/client in a shop, business, restaurant etc. This contrast is always the most shocking in Japan - fawned over in one place, then treated like dirt as you step out the door.

I'm a big one for holding doors open for others, and hoping that they'll do the same for you. Deciding to do this for others to me is a sign of consideration, and I have seen it done in Japan, and I have received thanks when doing it for others. Many of those people have been older folk, and my day is made when I get such thanks. However, I find that it's a rarity with most people here.
dennis0bauer at 03:35 PM JST - 13th June

I agree with Taka and gurepu and the increase of loonies off course
Ichirou at 04:31 PM JST - 13th June

I think people are pretty well-behaved here except when it comes to the trains, but I think that's understandable in a way...when you're packed in tighter than a sardine in a can, and you have literally no personal space, the only solution is to really try to detach yourself from the situation and not interact with the other people onboard the train at all.
serindipity at 08:49 PM JST - 13th June

I saw a pair of mid 30 b/men going at it this morning at the station. A lot of pushing, shoving and a few attempted bitch slaps, but nothing major. Of course, everybody else just had a quick look and kept on walking. I, on the other hand, stepped in and told them both to give up and go to work. Strangely enough, that's exactly what they did. It's clear the pressures of living in the most densely populated city on the planet is having an effect on everybody that lives here. In the eight years I've been here I have definitely seen a decline in the fluidity of this society and the recent events, including Akihabara and the suicide rate are clear indications this society is in trouble. The ignorant silence and anonymity in transit is both convenient and concerning. Manners? 70% OK! 30% Worrying!
isthistheend at 10:19 PM JST - 13th June

thank serindipity and gurepu for your comments. I was just censored beyond recognition after I detailed very specific examples of what we all experience everyday on the trains and at the companys. O.K. I'll try again and see if this goes through. Lets try to limit the number of Mickey Mouse dolls allowed on school bags, and let's try to speak out in Japanese everytime someone says something negative about our native language or country. Will this make it through? Peace be with you.
isthistheend at 10:22 PM JST - 13th June

thank serindipity and gurepu for your comments. Concerning the trains wouldn't it be nice if they limited the number of dolls allowed on bags and if the natives were made aware by an announcement that "foreigners might be on the trains that we ride, so please refrain from talking about Eego and their countries" while on the train. Peace be with you.
usaexpat at 10:58 PM JST - 13th June

Tokyo is very rude and unfriendly compared to Nagasaki or even Fukuoka. Definitely not as rude as Osaka or Chicago for that matter. Of all the places I've been Seoul is the absolute worst. I would say Tokyo and New York are on par maybe throw Toronto in there as some of the friendlier major cities. (Before the complaints come about putting New York in there, I think New York gets a bad rap, spend some time there and you'll see what I mean)
isthistheend at 11:18 PM JST - 13th June

Hello? Chicago more rude than Tokyo? woe is the olympic bid of 2016. May I ask which part of Chicago? The whole lot?
usaexpat at 01:40 AM JST - 14th June

I'd say downtown Chicago the burbs are as bland and faceless as anywhere and you don't need to interact with people very often so rudeness doesn't apply as much. Maybe I'm jaded because it's home.
motytrah at 01:36 PM JST - 16th June

Most of the time when I'm in Japan I'm there on a laid back schedule. I'm not working an office job per se. I'm not traveling during peek hours, the trains aren't crowded. As such, the people around me aren't rude.

I would also say, people working service jobs (Hotel Staff, Taxi Drivers, Clerks, etc. ) are way more polite than their western counterparts.

That being said, based on what I have seen and read, I could never see myself working/living in Tokyo. Perhaps Osaka, however, I'm pretty sure my love of the 38 hour work week doesn't play well there. Certainly not at the rates I'm used billing US companies at.
Ivespoken at 06:53 AM JST - 18th June

Well... I've never been to Tokyo but some say it's nice most say it's not! But i do know that the US is polite and that we aren't as hostile as some may think! Let's take into account the way african americans are portrayed all over the world.... Most believe we are all wasteful, dangerous, or rappers and hookers. Why? Because that's what the media puts out for the public to see.

Stereotyping is what that's called when others think that, ALL African Americans act the way Channel 10 news or BET portrays us. I know I'm going a little off topic. But whether some people believe that Tokyo is polite or not... almost everyone is guilty of stereotyping. We hear one negative comment (or even a polite one) and assume it's that way completely!

THAT WAS JUST A LITTLE FOOD FOR THOUGHT =)
realist at 03:15 PM JST - 21st July

Tokyo peoples` public manners are non-existant. They have deteriorated very badly during my decades living here. Its sad, but true, Japanese "politeness" is a myth. What I see day and daily is gross ignorance and rudeness.