How Foreigners OFFEND Japanese (Unintentionally)

Summary

This video humorously highlights cultural differences between Japan and Western countries, particularly in manners and behaviors that can be perceived as rude. The narrator shares personal stories about misunderstandings, such as misinterpreting greetings, gestures, or casual habits like blowing your nose at the table or chewing gum during a class. Through these experiences, the video emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural norms to avoid offense. It also touches on movie theater etiquette and promotes Japanese snack subscription boxes. The narrator reflects on how these differences shaped their perspective during their time abroad.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cultural misunderstandings can lead to uncomfortable situations; for example, in Japan, pointing at someone with your chin can be seen as rude and disrespectful.
• 😳 Gestures can have very different meanings across cultures. In Japan, looking someone in the eye and tilting your head can imply a challenge or fight, whereas in Western cultures, it could simply be a greeting.
• 😅 The word 'ha' in Japan can be perceived as aggressive or challenging, often used before a fight. In contrast, it can simply mean 'huh?' or 'what?' in other cultures like America.
• 🤧 Blowing your nose in public, especially at the dinner table, is considered rude and gross in Japan, as opposed to being generally acceptable in many Western countries.
• 🍬 Chewing gum in Japan, particularly in formal settings like classrooms or business meetings, is seen as highly disrespectful and a sign of inattention.
• 🍿 In Japan, people are expected to be punctual when going to the movies and avoid making noise while eating snacks, unlike in Western cultures where eating loudly during a film is common.
• 😂 Japanese people tend to be quieter when watching movies, avoiding loud laughter, while in other cultures like America, people might openly laugh, clap, or even talk back to the screen.
• 😲 Expressing emotions loudly during a movie can be seen as disruptive in Japan, but in countries like New Zealand or the U.S., it’s part of the shared movie-watching experience.
• 🎓 Different cultures have varying classroom norms. In Japan, chewing gum or behaving casually in class is a sign of disrespect, while in other countries, it's seen as normal behavior.
• 🛁 Accidental breaches of privacy, such as walking in on someone in a bath, are handled differently in Japan, where acknowledging the mistake politely is crucial.

Q & A

What gesture did the narrator find offensive when John greeted them?

The narrator found it offensive when John greeted them by lifting his chin and saying 'g'day,' which was mistaken as 'go die.' In Japan, lifting the chin in such a way is seen as disrespectful, implying a challenge or looking down on someone.

Why did the narrator prepare to fight John after the misunderstanding?

The narrator prepared to fight John because they misunderstood the gesture and greeting. In Japan, lifting the chin is a very rude gesture that can imply a challenge or a desire to fight. The narrator thought John was trying to provoke them.

How did the narrator feel after learning that John wasn’t being rude?

The narrator felt embarrassed and relieved after learning that John's greeting 'g'day' was an Australian way of saying hello, not an offensive gesture or insult.

What does the word 'ha' imply in Japanese, and why did it scare the narrator when the security guard said it?

'Ha' in Japanese can mean 'what the hell do you want' or imply rudeness, which scared the narrator when the security guard used it. However, in English, it was simply an informal way of saying 'come again' or 'pardon,' causing a misunderstanding.

Why did the narrator and other Japanese students find it shocking when the American girl blew her nose at the dinner table?

In Japan, blowing your nose in public, especially at the dinner table, is considered very rude and unhygienic. The narrator and other Japanese students were shocked because they viewed it as a gross and inappropriate action.

Why is chewing gum considered disrespectful in Japan, especially in classrooms or business settings?

Chewing gum in Japan, particularly in classrooms or business settings, is seen as disrespectful because it gives the impression that the person is not paying attention or taking the situation seriously.

How did the narrator feel when they saw students chewing gum in their Japanese class?

The narrator felt disrespected and uncomfortable because chewing gum is considered rude in Japanese culture, especially in an educational setting, and they assumed the students weren’t serious about learning.

Why did the narrator feel uncomfortable when people were loud and ate snacks during the movie in another country?

The narrator felt uncomfortable because in Japan, people eat very quietly in theaters, and it's common for them to try to finish their snacks before the movie starts to avoid disturbing others. The loud eating and laughter were unexpected and distracting to the narrator.

How do Japanese moviegoers generally behave in theaters compared to those in other countries?

Japanese moviegoers are generally very quiet in theaters. They often try to eat snacks discreetly, such as during loud scenes, and avoid making noise. In contrast, moviegoers in some other countries laugh loudly, eat snacks openly, and are more expressive during the film.

Why did the narrator start to appreciate the expressiveness of moviegoers abroad after experiencing it?

After spending time abroad, the narrator came to appreciate the shared experience of moviegoers who laughed and expressed emotions together, creating a more communal and connected feeling, which they began to miss when they returned to Japan.