Japanese Online Newsletter Vol. 146 日本での生活のルール（にほんでのせいかつのルール）
Nov
7
では、
Rules When Living in Japan
There are many rules when living in Japan. Some are written on signs like, "No littering", "No smoking", or "Cell phones should be in silent mode". But there are also unwritten rules that are referred to as "common sense" or "manners". Some rules are specific to particular occasions, like “Japanese tea ceremonies”, “flower arrangements”, and “business manners".
In fact, there are so many rules, many of which Japanese people don’t even know. For example, standing on the left side on escalators to leave the right side open for walkers (or the opposite in Kansai) and walking on the right side of sidewalks aren’t specifically written rules on signs in many cases. Other examples of unwritten rules include washing and cleaning your body first before taking a bath and giving priority to those getting off a train.
So, how can we follow these unwritten and unknown rules? It’s actually not as difficult as it sounds. All you have to do is observe what others are doing around you and do the same. Japanese people act in groups, even if they don’t know each other or are not in the group. They have a habit of thinking something is right if many other people are doing it. Therefore, people often say the Japanese lack individuality.
Conversely, something wrong can become right when many people do it. This is one of the scariest things about Japan. They have a saying that goes, “if everyone does it together, there is nothing to be afraid of”. So, I think Japanese people have a great ability to act collectively. So, it’s easy to spread trends in Japan. Likewise, trends can also go very quickly.
While living in Japan, you won’t violate any rules if you imitate what others are doing. When you go to Japan, please look at what everyone else is doing. Also, if you find any new rules, please let us know.
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