What bad manners annoy you the most in public places?

Saturday 13th December, 06:09 AM JST

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Latest 15 of 94 Total Comments Show All

sk4ek at 09:00 PM JST - 17th December

People who stand in smack in front of the elevator doors, then act all surprised when it arrives and people actually want to get off. People who push the "close door" button on the elevator before they push the button for their floor.

Men who pee off of train platforms.

Women who play with their hair the whole time they're sitting next to you on the train, pulling out loose strands and dropping them on the floor.
OhioDonna at 01:36 AM JST - 18th December
I work in a public library so most of my list comes serving the public sector.
1. Smokers who seem to be unaware that those behind them may not appreciate their second-hand smoke. This action has spoiled many walks around the block for me. 2 Smokers who put their cigarettes out upon entering a building and bring a wave of smoke with them.
2. At times cell phone usage.
3. Coughing, sneezing and snot blowing without covering. (I like the idea of face masks.)
4. Booze breath and body odor.
5. Cultural complaints. I am from Appalachia USA and I have heard my share of complaints.
6. Sreaming mothers.
7. On the other hand out-of-control children.
8. Touchy feely and personal space invaders. You would be surpised with the number of people who feel that they must touch as public servant or get right in our faces to explain something.
OhioDonna at 03:27 AM JST - 18th December

My last comment was poorly written. A co-worker ask me something and I failed to proof read. By the way, my fellow co-workers and I enjoy Japan Today very much.
ronaldk at 10:19 AM JST - 18th December

Hey I often burp in a loud and exaggerated manner while walking down the street. Any problems with that?
Totillytarian at 06:03 PM JST - 18th December

*knews at 05:44 PM JST - 14th December *: Those older guys (and some younger) who sit with their legs apart on the train making it difficult for others to fit next to them.

Yeah that really annoys me too! Most places I've travelled in the world, if there's even a sliver of seat space it'll be taken - even if one thigh is on the seat the other is on one's neighbour, yet here some guys here think its fine to spread out over two seats and display their crotch to the whole carriage. Not what I want to see on a a 30 minute subway ride!
mistyblue at 08:08 PM JST - 18th December

somebody smokes in front of my kid, because he's allergic!
jonnyboy at 10:42 PM JST - 18th December

people who don't wait for you to get off the train before they barge on. i was once about to get off a train as it pulled up to a station, only to have three people lined up in front of the doors, totally obstructing my way off the train. idiots. had to push my way through them in order to get off
OhioDonna at 05:43 AM JST - 19th December

People who hold their library cards in their mouths and then hand them to me to scan. I sit at library reference desk and I really am annoyed with people who stand over me belch but passing gas is the worst because my face is about level with the region the gas is coming from.
USARonin at 09:58 AM JST - 19th December

People who intentionally make themselves vomit on the tube or in the lunchroom after I pass gas.
greensatindress at 10:23 AM JST - 19th December

While I agree with most of the posts here, the ol' 'stop starring at me b/c I'm a gaijin' doesn't phase me anymore. I'd probably stare at me too if I was Japanese and I even find myself looking longer than usual whenever I spot a fellow gaijin b/c there are practically no other gaijin where I live. We just stand out and that's a fact you have to get used to. People are just curious to see something they don't see every day. They don't even realize that they are starring and more to the point, that we are taking notice of the fact they are starring. I'm convinced that they think they are invisable for some reason.

However, like the other posts, I also feel like people have zero self-awareness of their surroundings and I wish people would learn to pick a side (sidewalk, street, escalator etc) and stay on it.

I would have to say my latest pet peeves are:

1) vomiting in public (carry a bag with you when you go to your bon-nen-kai or other nomi-kai)

2) talking loudly on the bus, train, resturant. Some people just have no idea how loud their voice is and that EVERYONE can here it.

3) mothers who don't fold up their baby stroller on the crowded bus/train (but even that I realize is "sho-ga-nai" but it still annoys me)

4) people who shut the sliding door when they know I am right behind them (e.g. at onsens). Or let the door shut at other places such as dept. stores, resturants etc.

With all this said, I still think Japan is pretty nice as far as standards of politeness and etiquette. Some other countries are much worse. But then again some countries may be much better....
ronaldk at 11:33 AM JST - 19th December

How about the incredible amount of stealth farting that goes on on the subways. Don't these people have any shame?
greensatindress at 12:44 PM JST - 19th December

oh come on, everyone commits stealth farting now and then. Japanese people don't have a monopoly on the silent but deadly type.
ronaldk at 01:42 PM JST - 19th December

I beg to differ. I have never been barraged on subways in the US like in Japan.
ALHQQ at 05:04 PM JST - 19th December

-Smoking in public places and public places with non-smoking section

-Stinky Salary-men....drunk salary men....salary men period

-Women doing their makeup on the train, do that sh*t at home

-did I say stnky salary men

-people who stare at you on the train as if they are invisible and think you cannot see them staring

-couples who wave good bye instead of hugging/kissing each other when they part ways

-people who don't cover their mouths when they sneeze...
ALHQQ at 05:04 PM JST - 19th December

oh yeah, greasy salary men