Ten, things, not, Japanese, subway

For me, living in Japan after having lived in Korea was a very different experience. It's a popular stereotype, of course, that Koreans are very expressive while the Japanese are highly reserved, and in my experience there is a large amount of truth to this, mainly in public. (Drunk Japanese businessmen have stroked my nose and arm hair as much as any ignorant ajeosshi.) Generally, though, Japan is a lot quieter, and Japanese people ask fewer stupid questions to foreigners and don't act surprised if you can speak Japanese, even if they are.

Anyway, one Chosun Ilbo writer, relying on Reuters, recently looked at the difference in subway culture between the two nations.

What are the things that passengers most dislike on the Japanese subway? What they hate the most, of course, is loud nouse. Before you get on the train you must turn off your iPhone and set your cellphone to vibrate. This is becayse Japanese people dislike noise more than anything else.

According to Reuters News Service, the Association of Japanese Private Railways recently surveyed 420 subway users to ask them what actions by other passengers they find most annoying.

The survey found that Japanese passengers chose "making a lot of noise" as the number one rude thing people do. That includes people who chat noisily with the person next to them.

In second place was loud cellphones, third was people who take up too much space, and in fourth place was loud ringtones.

Next were women who apply makeup while on the subway. "Makeup girls" were considered more annoying than passengers who were drunk or used baby strollers on narrow train cars.

On the other hand, Reuters reported, foreigners who live in Japan chose "people who push other passengers" and "people who sit in the seats reserved for the elderly and pregant women" as the most annoying.

The following is the list Japanese people chose  of "bad subway manners".

1. Chat noisily.
2. Turn on your cellphone and turn the volume up.
3. People who intrude on others' space while sitting.
4. Not setting your phone to vibrate, and even talking on it.
5. Jostling and pushing other passengers when you get on the train.
6. Girls putting on makeup.
7. Leaving behind trash.
8. Sitting on the floor.
9. Being drunk.
10. Women with baby strollers.

Meanwhile, this Korean blogger complains about Japanese men who take their shoes off. He calls them 양말남.