There are a few unspoken rules of Japanese society that people from other countries may not understand.
First, on the train.
While many people overseas shout or make phone calls, Japanese trains are generally quiet.
They keep their cell phones on silent mode so they don’t hear ringtones.
People from other countries may be surprised at this silence at first.
When you make eye contact with someone overseas, many people will smile back, but this rarely happens in Japan.
Many Japanese people will look away even if their eyes meet.
This is because Japanese people are generally shy.
They are by no means unfriendly.
Even if a restaurant or cafe is crowded, people in Japan never share a table.
Do not sit at the same table as a Japanese person, even if they are sitting alone.
This is because most Japanese people do not like eating at the same table as strangers.
Many Japanese people do not show their emotions on their faces like foreigners do.
Therefore, it is difficult to tell what they are thinking from their expressions.
If you don’t know the way, don’t be shy and ask a Japanese person for help.
Although many of them are not good at English, I think they will be kind enough to teach you.
The truth is that many Japanese people want to talk to foreigners.
