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I still think this misses the point that the Japanese have a shared respect and responsibility to each other and to their space that we don't instill in America
by hashkb 9y ago
I still think this misses the point that the Japanese have a shared respect and responsibility to each other and to their space that we don't instill in American culture at all. In fact, we mock their customs more often than adopt them.
- barking 9y agoWhat do we mock about Japanese culture? It's pretty widely admired as far as I can see.
- hashkb 9y agoThe bowing, for one glaring example.
- Feniks 9y agoI'm not a people person and keep to myself in public but I will act if I see someone kidnap or harass a minor. Its common decency and I'm sure Americans still have that?
- pwaai 9y agoIn my opinion, Confucius roots are present in both Korean and Japanese societies but more in Korea since it was popular there and naturally spread out to Japan in the very early days...ironically not as popular in China where it originated from but their decendants are royalty throughout East-Asia. Shared respect and responsibility comes naturally to minimize shame, a negative social credit. Self-shaming rises out of being mindful of one's actions and words. Also helps if you are a Buddhist country. The results are remarkable. For instance you can leave keys in your car, pass out from drinking on the streets with wallet bulging with cash and almost no Korean or Japanese person would think of even touching it. Note that this does not mean theft is absent in these countries but I do note that even criminals seem to be regular citizens, blending in as much as possible unlike street gangs you see in North America that advertises it openly. Confucianism was designed from ground up to bring peace and stability in societies during time of extreme political and military upheaval and Chosun dynasty (Korea's longest ruling political power) embraced it and promoted heavily. It's not without problems tho. Speaking as Korean.
- fjsolwmv 9y agoBut then why does Japan have a massive problem with sexual assault on subways? And a Yakuza crime syndicate so feared that cartoons don't show 4-fingered characters?
- pwaai 9y agoNot sure why getting roped on train or having organized crime like every other country in the world are related