3 ms·

Yeah, I could sense there is something wrong with the article as soon as I got to the part where the Japanese were portrayed as this unique society where you ne

Yeah, I could sense there is something wrong with the article as soon as I got to the part where the Japanese were portrayed as this unique society where you need to say "excuse me" before approaching a stranger on the street asking for directions. I live in an Eastern European capital, a place that is seen as a lot more "abrasive" compared to how Japan is seen in articles like this one, and most people will definitely ignore you were you to come to them asking for directions without showing some sort of politeness before. To say nothing of the part with crying kids that become needy and less adventurous if the parents don't come to their side immediately, that really came out of nowhere, sounded like 100% pop-science (which most of the child-related psychology studies really are, to be honest).

Emanation 7y ago
Up until now the pop-line was to not attend to a child everytime they cry.
derf_ 7y ago
> the Japanese were portrayed as this unique society where you need to say "excuse me" before approaching a stranger on the street asking for directions. I agree that part is not really unique, but if you are an obvious foreigner and stare at a map in a train station for more than a few seconds, a stranger will come up and ask you if you need directions. Maybe it is just people who want a chance to practice their English, or something (since they all have to learn it in school, but do not get a lot of chances to use it in daily life). However, I have literally had someone walk me halfway across the station and wait with me on the platform to personally see me get on the right train, during the middle of commuter rush hour, even though it was not the way she was going at all. That kind of stuff only happens to me in Japan, and it happens to me there repeatedly. Of course, in the modern cellphone era, navigating Japan is not the imposing challenge for foreigners that it once was.
- magduf 7y ago
  Yep, I was there earlier this year and I never had anyone offer to help me with directions, but that was probably because I never had a map, and was using my cellphone to get around, and never looked lost. It's so easy with a SIM card and Google Maps. But when I had a problem using an automated bikeshare machine in Kanazawa, some guy and his girlfriend were more than helpful, even calling the bikeshare place on his phone to work out the problem.
GVIrish 7y ago
> Yeah, I could sense there is something wrong with the article as soon as I got to the part where the Japanese were portrayed as this unique society where you need to say "excuse me" before approaching a stranger on the street asking for directions. What that part of the article was trying to convey was that if you approach a Japanese person a bit sheepishly and looking confused, you'll get a much more enthusiastic response than if you directly approach and say "excuse me". It's not unique to Japan, but it is different than a lot of places.

Emanation 7y ago

Up until now the pop-line was to not attend to a child everytime they cry.

derf_ 7y ago

> the Japanese were portrayed as this unique society where you need to say "excuse me" before approaching a stranger on the street asking for directions. I agree that part is not really unique, but if you are an obvious foreigner and stare at a map in a train station for more than a few seconds, a stranger will come up and ask you if you need directions. Maybe it is just people who want a chance to practice their English, or something (since they all have to learn it in school, but do not get a lot of chances to use it in daily life). However, I have literally had someone walk me halfway across the station and wait with me on the platform to personally see me get on the right train, during the middle of commuter rush hour, even though it was not the way she was going at all. That kind of stuff only happens to me in Japan, and it happens to me there repeatedly. Of course, in the modern cellphone era, navigating Japan is not the imposing challenge for foreigners that it once was.

magduf 7y ago
Yep, I was there earlier this year and I never had anyone offer to help me with directions, but that was probably because I never had a map, and was using my cellphone to get around, and never looked lost. It's so easy with a SIM card and Google Maps. But when I had a problem using an automated bikeshare machine in Kanazawa, some guy and his girlfriend were more than helpful, even calling the bikeshare place on his phone to work out the problem.

GVIrish 7y ago

> Yeah, I could sense there is something wrong with the article as soon as I got to the part where the Japanese were portrayed as this unique society where you need to say "excuse me" before approaching a stranger on the street asking for directions. What that part of the article was trying to convey was that if you approach a Japanese person a bit sheepishly and looking confused, you'll get a much more enthusiastic response than if you directly approach and say "excuse me". It's not unique to Japan, but it is different than a lot of places.