Japanese Common Sense and Global Insanity
“Japanese common sense and global insanity” refers to customs and values widely accepted in Japan that other countries don’t necessarily accept or understand. Some examples include:
Bowing and Greetings
In Japan, people bow as a common greeting form, but overseas, many people consider handshakes, hugs, and kisses as basic greetings. People in other countries, especially in a business situation, may be confused about how low and how long Japanese people bow when they greet each other.
The Lack of Tipping Culture
In Japan, they don’t tip in restaurants and service businesses. Instead, they include the service charge in the price. On the other hand, in countries like the U.S., people expect that part of an employee’s income comes from tipping, commonly with a minimum of 15 to 20%. In Japan, on the other hand, people think tipping is strange.
Quiet Public Transportation
On Japanese trains and buses, it is polite to refrain from talking or talking on the phone out of consideration for other passengers. Overseas, it’s common to talk in public places, but it’s rare for people to be as quiet as people are in Japan. Therefore, foreign tourists are often surprised at how quiet Japanese public transportation is.
Seniority System and Lump-Sum Hiring of New Graduates
The Japanese corporate culture is deeply rooted in the seniority system, and they highly value working long hours. Another uniquely Japanese practice is the lump-sum hiring of new graduates, where businesses hire all new graduates at the same time every year. In Europe, the U.S., and other countries, merit-based evaluation and mid-career hiring are common.
Customary Holidays Rather Than Religious Ones
In Japan, celebrating Christmas and Valentine’s Day, for example, have very little religious tones. Overseas, with Christmas especially, holidays often have religious significance, and some people feel uncomfortable viewing it as a commercial event like in Japan.
Excessive Packaging
In Japan, manufacturers and business owners alike often carefully package products, and they pay special care to packaging souvenirs and gifts beautifully. However, environmentally conscious countries often criticize excessive packaging, so the Japanese culture of excessive packaging is not always well understood.
Tattoos in Onsen and Public Baths
Japanese hot springs and public bathhouses often prohibit tattoos, but in other countries, tattoos are commonly a form of fashion and self-expression. As a result, foreign tourists with tattoos are sometimes refused from bathing in an Onsen, which can be inconvenient for some.
Therefore, culture and value differences may be reflected as “common sense in Japan and insanity in the rest of the world”, but it is important to understand and respect each other's culture to facilitate smooth international communication.