lifestyle

80% of Japanese women report being hit on by strangers

47 Comments

A new Japanese poll has found that 80% of women have been hit on by strangers on the street at least once.

It’s really not surprising given that most guys have tried the random on-the-street approach at least a few times in their lives, either because of peer pressure or through a fleeting, spur-of-the-moment impulse. It seems to us as long as you’re polite and not overly aggressive, it doesn’t hurt to try, but apparently Japanese women disagree, since the poll also found that 65% of women reject those proposals outright. Why?

It seems a lot of it has to do with… let’s be honest here: guys not exactly being the most charming individuals around when they decide to make their move. Some women relate their specific experiences in the poll, and it’s kind of cringe-inducing.

“Some drunk guy hit on me in Shinjuku (a location notorious for guys trying to pick up). He clearly wasn’t used to it and had zero confidence. I was 100% sure that I wouldn’t have a good time if I went along with this loser.”

“A guy riding in a car yelled to me while I was walking on the sidewalk. He asked me where I was going. When I told him I was on my way home he said he’d see me off. Totally creepy.”

“A lot of guys try to hit on me from inside their cars. Sometimes it’s a whole group of them, which feels even more dangerous.”

“I get hit on, but I make it a rule to always decline. It always seems so shallow.”

“Sometimes a guy will just glance at me and immediately ask me out for tea or coffee. I have no idea what those guys are thinking.”

“I never give my details to a guy on the street. How can someone possibly think, ‘I like this chick’ after just one look?”

So, to summarize: the more you’re obvious about just wanting to hook up, the less likely you are to get a response from a woman, which makes sense. Still, it appears as far as Japanese women are concerned, the answer isn’t always an automatic “no,” as demonstrated by the other 35% who say they’ve given their details or gone along with a guy trying to hit on them on the street:

“If it’s a guy who’s just way too hot to pass up, I’ll at least give my details.”

“Normally, I’d never give my information to some random guy on the street. But I go out for dinner and drinks alone a lot, so depending on the timing and the guy, I’d consider going along for a date.”

“Honestly, if the guy was, like, movie star-hot, I’d consider giving it a go.”

“I’ve never gone home with a guy, but if he’s with the band, or is one of the better looking guys in a club, I’ll at least give my details.”

Okay… So, it seems the guys aren’t the only ones who can be kind of shallow. Other times, it seems, it depends on technique and timing:

“I gave my details to a guy who asked me for directions once. I didn’t know exactly how to explain, so I just took him there. On the way, we hit it off and when he asked for my info, I gave it to him.”

“My friends and I were looking to go for karaoke and a guy just happened to invite us. I wouldn’t have given him my details but he gave me his business card and we ended up getting in touch later on.”

No matter where you go in the world, trying to pick up is going to be built into the culture. Sometimes, girls even decide to give it a go themselves, but most of the time it seems like one of those things guys worldwide feel obligated to try at least a few times in their lives.

Source: Niconico News

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- What Do Pickup Artists Around The World Think Of Japanese Girls? “Easy Targets” -- Nine Phrases That Make Japanese Men Fall Head Over Heels -- “I think I love you…”: Romantic confessions from around the world

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47 Comments
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the poll also found that 65% of women reject those proposals outright.

I may not be great at math, but isn't this a pretty good success rate? If a guy hits on 10 chicks, 3-4 of them will not reject the proposals outright. [Slams chu-hai, takes off wedding ring, heads out to street.]

22 ( +23 / -1 )

A new Japanese poll has found that 80% of women have been hit on by strangers on the street at least once.

Sounds about right, since I tried to hit on 100% of the good-looking Japanese gals when I lived in Tokyo.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Do they reflexively object to strangers hitting on them or because at first glance they don't appear to be "prince charming"?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Who writes this garbage?

Any girl will tell you that the culprit is always some creepy loner that hangs around the same spots randomly approaching girls way out of their league. Are you even familiar with the term "to hit on someone"? What occurs in Japan is borderline harassment.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

"Creepy"

And they wonder why the population is going down.... Tokyo is deeply dysfunctional, as a society, in my opinion. If it's creepy to smile and say "hello" at someone... I think we need to start re-evaluating what the social norms are. I read last year that a large percent of adults in Tokyo have no contact with other human beings outside their work.

To enterprising nampa guys... Ask for their phone mail, mixi or LINE. Give them your meshi with your LINE and phone on it. Usually compliment something they are wearing or doing. It's less threatening than asking for an immediate proposal. Send a message a day or two later. Train stations, during the right hours, can work as an angle too. Just pretend to be lost and speak some deliberately bad Japanese. Dress nice, smile, stand straight, talk and walk slowly.

Most importantly, never stay at the same place too long.

-6 ( +5 / -10 )

What do they consider being hit on?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

World's most effective pick-up line: "Hello, my name is ... Nice to meet you." FACT!

8 ( +9 / -1 )

gaihinheiwa

Slight difference between 'meshi' and 'meishi'!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Hi, excsuse me, my name's ( ____ ) and I'm writing an article on girls who say yes when a guy asks them out on the street. Would you mind if I........

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Usually works for me. They're doing it wrong.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The 20% who are not being hit on are the 20% who will never marry and be bitter OLs in their late 40s.

It used to happen a couple of times a week to me...

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

'How can someone possibly think, "I like this chick", after just one look?'

LOL...Only 'a chick' would fail to understand that one.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Several of the young Japanese ladies I've taught have been hit on by taxi drivers during their rides. One told me a taxi driver pestered her the whole way home to go out with him and she kept refusing. When the taxi arrived at her residence and she was getting out, the taxi driver said to her, "So this is where you live." After that, whenever she used a taxi, she would get out of the taxi a short distance from her residence and walk the rest of the way.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

It seems to us as long as you’re polite and not overly aggressive, it doesn’t hurt to try, but apparently Japanese women disagree, since the poll also found that 65% of women reject those proposals outright.

Did this reporter fail basic logic? Just because a woman exercises her right to refuse doesn't mean it "hurt", and it doesn't mean she wouldn't say yes on a different day or to a different guy.

If you walk up to a woman and say, "Would you like to go back to my place for some bouncy bouncy?" and she refuses it might just be because she's on her way to a dentist's appointment, or she doesn't like your Swedish accent, or she's lost her parrot and is out searching for it....

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I plead guilty your honour.

Actually I only tried nanpa with a stranger once - on a train. She was friendly but had a boyfriend.

Another guy tried it with my first wife and I got a panicked call from the station. Seemed harmless. He was already on his way home when I got there. (got a glimpse of him on a departing train with a forlorn look on his face)

My wife wanted to visit the powder room so we stopped at a convenience store. The car was hers and looked like a "girl's" car.

While she was inside, 2 guys parked on the other side of the lot decided to move nearby for a closer look at what they assumed was a potential "target" (me). They apparently did not expect a guy with a beard but I gave them a smile for their trouble. Better luck next time ;-)

9 ( +9 / -0 )

This is cat-calling, not hitting-on, although they are the same action the latter is more subtle. Even a normal general conversation in another country about nothing is seen as hitting-on in Japan so the metric is suspect in a place where men and women have no idea how to communicate .

5 ( +6 / -1 )

“Some drunk guy hit on me in Shinjuku (a location notorious for guys trying to pick up). He clearly wasn’t used to it and had zero confidence.

Most women want a man who has been around the block. But they don't want to be the one who showed him around the block. And they get mad if he decides to keep going around the block when she wanted him to stop.

Both men and women are really good at wanting to have their cake and eat it too, but this is one of the ways the females do it. An inexperienced guy is the most likely to be totally dedicated to you and to mold himself to your wants and needs. So reject him for a guy who has been with many women and will drop you like a sack of potatoes for the next woman. What genius.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Many Japanese women are so confused and paranoid about social interactions that they consider any approach by a stranger as distressing.

So asking them directions, saying hello, a drunkard making lewd suggestions, and a pervert touching their butt can be nearly all the same in their minds.

And many Japanese women will often respond to the question, by giving the answer they think is wanted. So if you frame the question as nampa is nearly equal to sex assualt, they will respond that way. Frame the question that nampa is romantic, and they will respond that way too.

Even the context of a stranger approaching for any reason, can be viewed negatively by Japanese that are highly fearful, xenophobic, and indoctrinated with right-wing propaganda.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

"Hit on" and in some cases, just "hit"...uggghh.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

yeah unless hes prince charming and drives a Ferrari then theyll be rejected 65% of the time. probably explains why there are so many younger single women in Japan.., unless your drop dead gorgeous and have plenty of money then many should lower there standards to suit. If i was a super rich movie star hunk id certainly wouldnt settle for just any average local, it goes both ways ladies and gents

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I think part of the charme of meeting a woman for the first time is that there really is no uniform formula. As far as "hot looking"... well, not every guy has "got the moves like Jagger"! Others have the moves like a cross between Michael stipe and Axl Rose. Its pretty scary!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'm still free ! But I guess that doesn't count 'cause I'm not Japanese...

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I always say "no" to street pickups as well, and I don't care how good-looking he is. I don't want to be hit on by guys on the street. They don't know anything about me, and are judging me solely on my sexual attractiveness rather than on my personality. I also feel it's rude to hit on women who are minding their own business. Just because a woman exists in a public space, you not are entitled to her attention. A guy who thinks it's within his rights to pester me until he gets a date is not someone I'd want to get to know- he's showing very poor judgment and an attitude of entitlement, which I do not find attractive in any way. Of course, I'm polite in my refusal, but also firm. If a guy doesn't have the sense to take my polite "no" as the final answer, well, let's just say he won't find the encounter with my dark side to be much fun.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

kimuzukashiiiii you need to get over your bias against single women in their 40ties. Bitterness can also be found in housewifes, salarymen, children, the elderery, in short in all stratas of society.

I think it can be successful if you just introduce yourself and give space to the women. And yes it always helps if you are good-looking, but that's economics.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

girl_in_tokyoMAY. 17, 2014 - 04:09PM JST I always say "no" to street pickups as well, and I don't care how good-looking he is. I don't want to be hit on by guys on the street. They don't know anything about me, and are judging me solely on my sexual attractiveness rather than on my personality. I also feel it's rude to hit on women who are minding their own business. Just because a woman exists in a public space, you not are entitled to her attention. A guy who thinks it's within his rights to pester me until he gets a date is not someone I'd want to get to know- he's showing very poor judgment and an attitude of entitlement, which I do not find attractive in any way. Of course, I'm polite in my refusal, but also firm. If a guy doesn't have the sense to take my polite "no" as the final answer, well, let's just say he won't find the encounter with my dark side to be much fun.

That's a little harsh. Human beings are a very social species and t's only natural for us to be attracted to each other and express that, politely and sincerely and without being a nuisance, when we feel inspired to for what ever reasons. By the way, I would say you have been unlucky with the type of guy that approached you. I can guarantee that in the right place and time a guy who really understands am women and how to talk to them would win you over every time.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Isn't this article title incorrect? Shouldn't it be 80% of women EVERYWHERE!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Hahaha, that's why Japanese don't typically just ask girls out of the blue, but rather do other more creepier stuff instead!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Really, no kidding ?

Many times, I tried to compliment cute and beautiful Japanese girls in Japanese or English, my experiences are positive so far, many Japanese young ladies seemed enjoying my admiration and remarks. In fact, a coupleof times, we hit well and enjoyed travel together afterwards.:)

So I think the survey data may be skewed. somehow.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I met two guys in bars where one of their friends were interested in our group etc etc so we ended up talking. The first time I immediately told him I had a Japanese boyfriend so was not on the market. The second time I told him I was married etc etc. Theyve both now become amazing friends I have known for years, the second one pretty much my best guy friend. They are both quite good looking, smart and very nice guys. But had I automaticallly blown them off I would never have had the chance to know that and my life would have been the lesser for it. So, while I get that there are creeps everywhere, those ones are pretty obvious, and some guys I wish would just be given a chance.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

You're only a creepy longer or stalker if the girl finds you unattractive.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

are the remaining 20% upset they don't get this kind of attention?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

And once again, I apologize to all those ladies.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Well, let's SEE: Not ALL disapprove, one went to Dinner with me, the other came back to MY place, so,obviously, it WORKS, but not ALL the time. :)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Guys, igloo buyer, everyone... It's not "harsh" to politely decline when a guy hits on you in public. What is harsh is to equate disliking being hit on at inappropriate times in inappropriate places and a falling birth rate. You are, in essence, saying that women who don't like public come-one are prudes. You're also, by saying things like "she should be glad I find her attractive" saying that women are constantly on the lookout for male approval. I can assure you that isn't the case. When I'm going to the grocer, gym, to pick up dry cleaning, or just taking a walk, the last thing I'm thinking about is whether I'm attractive to men. Having some random guy intrude on my privacy is not the way to my heart. Not to mention the supreme arrogance it takes for guys to assume that women are continually trying to impress them, rather than, say, dressing for practicality, or my own personal style, or a purpose totally unknown to you.

Now, in a bar, club, or social event...yeah, come say hi. But hitting on a girl totally randomly when she's going about her business shows bad judgment. She has no idea if you're going be nice, or be a total Beavis, so the word of the day is "caution".

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Wow, just harsh all around. Sure there are creeps, but not all men who hit on a woman in public are creeps. Nothing worse that seeing someone who stays in your mind for weeks afterwards, and you're kicking yourself because you didn't have the nerve just to walk up to her and say "hi." If she's not interested, fine. At least you gave it a shot.

So far as a guy approaching some girl this way meaning he's only interested in her appearance. Well, duh... I mean, that's the way it works. That's where we all start. What else have we got to go on?

And for guys who can't take the heat of rejection and crawl back to "virtual" love, how sad is that? Being rejected by a woman is hardly the worst thing people face in life. In fact, it's kind of basic. If you can't face up to that possibility, there will be no end of challenges in life that will scare you to death. In my experience, if you are not acting creepy, most women will be very nice about the rejection. And the few that aren't, so what? If a woman is snippy, consider yourself lucky that you didn't have to spend an entire day with her to find that out.

And the comments above slagging off the 20% who don't get hit on as unattractive are incredibly shallow. Sad, in fact.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Still, it appears as far as Japanese women are concerned, the answer isn’t always an automatic “no,” as demonstrated by the other 35% who say they’ve given their details or gone along with a guy trying to hit on them on the street

Well those 35% certainly aren't wife material.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Eighty percent hit on, so what is the percentage successful? May be not high enough that is why Japan child birth rate is in decline. Common people get yours act together and make sure the successful rate is as high as the hit on rate which is 80% this will help Japan population growth a little fraction higher than what it is now. Thanks a million.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Bear27840MAY. 17, 2014 - 09:24AM JST What do they consider being hit on?>

So much as breathing the same air as them, they would have you believe.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

i am very scared of talking to a random girl here. I just feel it's very shameful if i get rejected! i live in a small province here so almost everyone know each other and what if i hit on some girl here and rejects me and tell to her other friends! I'd be a laughing stock here! waaa! the nightmare!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well, they surely dress like one wanting to be hit on ;)

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The issue about meeting people is that many Japanese are excessively cowardly and overly self conscious on the one hand, and yet xenophobic/racist and conceited on the other hand.

Too many Japanese go into a weird panic if they have to speak English, meet new people, or any situation they haven't prepared for.

They visually can be seen shaking from nervousness, palms are sweating, and have worked themselves up into a state of near hysteria. This fear and hysteria can come from all the xenophobic horror stories they are fed by ultra-nationalist propaganda or the pressure to represent Japan (versus just being themselves).

This self-induced stress can be so overwhelming that many Japanese seek to escape/avoid meeting anybody new, unless under very artificially controlled circumstances and in a group. They are able to alleviate their fears by drawing support from the group.

This situation arguably does corrolate to the documented low sexual frequency and low birth rate in Japan. Traditionally, many marriages were often arranged, and Japanese women were more strongly expected to conform to traditional roles. Sex and having babies were seen as their duty (to include family and country) and something a wife couldn't ordinarily refuse her husband.

The situation has changed in modern times, where there is more free choice, less obligation to men and family, and less arranged marriages. However many Japanese women are backwards minded, in terms of how to interact with men and confused by racist/xenophobic rhetoric. When Japanese women are approached, many perceive and overreact to simple "hello" as near rape, and turn very basic human interactions everywhere else into a horror story.

Japan has severe problem with basic human interaction, where people have shut themselves off, and then use narcissism and arrogance as a cover.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

In my American hometown you say hi if you pass someone on the street, and say something if you ride an elevator together. Being hit on by a stranger is more normal there. But it is a small town and people in big cities anywhere are more guarded, and Japan has a lot of big cities. Also Japanese don't have a culture of talking to strangers, so Japanese who DO approach strangers here are different from the norm. They are either a) selling something b) socially inept according to Japanese standards c) up to no good or d) genuinely nice people just more outgoing than usual. But I've met one too many in the b) and c) categories to take chances anymore.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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