All culture have different etiquettes and manners. Often these manners contradict those of other cultures. For instance, it is impolite in Thailand or China to finish one's plate when invited at someone's home, because it makes the host feel as if they were not able to provide enough food, and appear as poor or stingy. On the contrary, it is usually regarded as impolite NOT to finish one's plate in Northern Europe, because it is wasteful. I tend to agree that we should avoid wastes, but I wouldn't get offended if someone else didn't finish their plate. In China an Thailand, finishing one's plate can mean causing the host to lose face, a potentially fatal mistake (people have killed others, or more likely themselves, for losing face in Asia).
In most Asian countries, it is impolite to blow one's nose in public. This is acceptable in Western countries though. But Westerners frown upon slurping one's noodles or make noise while drinking or sipping from a straw. This, however, is acceptable, and even polite, in a country like Japan. Likewise, belching is impolite in Western cultures, but required after a good meal in Arabic countries. I personally dislike both slurping and belching, or any unnecessarily noise reminding of body fluids and digestion.
In many Asian countries, it is considered natural to spit or pee in a public place. It is becoming less common in Japan, but the Chinese government is having a hard time trying to eradicate this practice in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, that should look "civilised" to the eyes of the outside world (as they get most of the foreign tourists, students and business people).
The Japanese strongly dislike seeing someone eating while standing or walking. I have personally be scolded many times by my wife (and sometimes in-laws) for just eating a croissant or a piece of chocolate in the street or at home while standing. This just doesn't make sense to me. I would consider eating in bed improper (bad for digestion, uncomfortable and risk of staining the sheets), but not eating while standing, which is as natural as sitting.
Japan offers plenty of 'new manners' that the authorities are trying to impose on the population. The train is a good place to start looking at this phenomenon. Tokyo Metro in particular is trying to educate its customers with a different poster lesson every month. As I mentioned in the thread English-friendly Japan, these ads are bilingual Japanese-English (although not everything is translated into English). I usually agree with these manners. However, I can't see the problem of girls adjusting their make up in trains. I also wouldn't criticise somebody eating a little snack (as long as they don't unfold a whole set lunch with miso soup). Yet, many Japanese take the liberty to sleep laying on the seats with their shoes (when there are few passengers) or some even sit cross-legged (without their shoes), which I find rather inappropriate - but I haven't seen signs discouraging it yet.
Another contradictory etiquette is that Japanese businessmen give their business card at the beginning of a meeting (just after introducing themselves), take it with both hands, and place it in front of them (on the table) for all the length of the meeting. According to the British magazine The Economist, British people tend to exchange cards after a meeting, and it indeed mean that the meeting is over. They usually put it straight in a pocket, which a Japanese would never do. I personally don't mind either. I give my card whenever I feel it necessary, and put one I receive immediately in my wallet.
As for arriving on time, some countries are very strict about it (Japan, Germany...), while in others arriving 15min late is standard (esp. Latin countries). Despite growing up in a country where lateness is normal, my personal tolerance does not exceed 2 or 3 minutes for others (1min for myself).
Is there any rule of etiquette of manner in your country of any other country, which you particularly disagree with or find strange ?
In most Asian countries, it is impolite to blow one's nose in public. This is acceptable in Western countries though. But Westerners frown upon slurping one's noodles or make noise while drinking or sipping from a straw. This, however, is acceptable, and even polite, in a country like Japan. Likewise, belching is impolite in Western cultures, but required after a good meal in Arabic countries. I personally dislike both slurping and belching, or any unnecessarily noise reminding of body fluids and digestion.
In many Asian countries, it is considered natural to spit or pee in a public place. It is becoming less common in Japan, but the Chinese government is having a hard time trying to eradicate this practice in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, that should look "civilised" to the eyes of the outside world (as they get most of the foreign tourists, students and business people).
The Japanese strongly dislike seeing someone eating while standing or walking. I have personally be scolded many times by my wife (and sometimes in-laws) for just eating a croissant or a piece of chocolate in the street or at home while standing. This just doesn't make sense to me. I would consider eating in bed improper (bad for digestion, uncomfortable and risk of staining the sheets), but not eating while standing, which is as natural as sitting.
Japan offers plenty of 'new manners' that the authorities are trying to impose on the population. The train is a good place to start looking at this phenomenon. Tokyo Metro in particular is trying to educate its customers with a different poster lesson every month. As I mentioned in the thread English-friendly Japan, these ads are bilingual Japanese-English (although not everything is translated into English). I usually agree with these manners. However, I can't see the problem of girls adjusting their make up in trains. I also wouldn't criticise somebody eating a little snack (as long as they don't unfold a whole set lunch with miso soup). Yet, many Japanese take the liberty to sleep laying on the seats with their shoes (when there are few passengers) or some even sit cross-legged (without their shoes), which I find rather inappropriate - but I haven't seen signs discouraging it yet.
Another contradictory etiquette is that Japanese businessmen give their business card at the beginning of a meeting (just after introducing themselves), take it with both hands, and place it in front of them (on the table) for all the length of the meeting. According to the British magazine The Economist, British people tend to exchange cards after a meeting, and it indeed mean that the meeting is over. They usually put it straight in a pocket, which a Japanese would never do. I personally don't mind either. I give my card whenever I feel it necessary, and put one I receive immediately in my wallet.
As for arriving on time, some countries are very strict about it (Japan, Germany...), while in others arriving 15min late is standard (esp. Latin countries). Despite growing up in a country where lateness is normal, my personal tolerance does not exceed 2 or 3 minutes for others (1min for myself).
Is there any rule of etiquette of manner in your country of any other country, which you particularly disagree with or find strange ?
Last edited:
