Thank you Ronda. Most American visitors are wonderful people, but it is true that we have different manners. It takes time to learn about each other, but such efforts will have a positive effect on both sides in the long run💓
If I have questions about manners some people seem to treat that as if I was planning to be rude, so I will suppress the one or two that I had. As a previous commenter noted, common sense manners are displayed, although I found the information about advance booking and reserving baggage space to be helpful, since I am not much of a traveler. I would find it slightly embarrassing to pick up my bowl and slurp noodles, having been chastised as a child for doing that. I am also not very familiar with manga, but I now have a producing mango tree: I need something I can read while sitting beneath it.
There are many interesting and unexpected manners, so I welcome questions.
There is no problem with regular-sized suitcases on the Shinkansen, but reservations are required for extra-large luggage. Reservations are free, but if you board without knowing this, you will be charged 1,000 yen (7 dollars).
Regarding noodles, I actually don't slurp them either (this applies to people from certain regions of Japan), so as long as you don't frown when others do, it's fine.
Not lifting the bowl might be an issue. This is the opposite of the custom in neighbouring South Korea, so when we visit each other's countries, we get quite confused. As you said, it's difficult to practise ‘bad manners.’
As a traveller, I am fascinated by different customs. As an Englishman, it is second nature to say "please" "thank you", And "I'm sorry" (when somebody bumps into me) thank you. Tom x
I haven’t been reading manga for such a long time. I used to in high school (many many years ago). There are always hidden layers of stories in manga. Even in those high school romance or comedic stories, I learned about the hard work and resilience, from the judo girl, or the theatre performer, or the ballet dancer, which somehow inspired me to adopt the same principles. It felt like having an invisible tutor giving a teenager advice.
Nowadays I enjoy watching some animes. They still have those valuable hidden messages about many things, such as resilience, courage, life values, etc.. so even though I watched them for entertainment, I was getting valuable advices as bonus. The recent one I just watched was The Apothecary Diary. I was impressed by the details of the medicine information woven into the story plot, and it kind of makes sense when I read somewhere online that the author of the original manga was a pharmacist.
I am so glad you liked them. This may a new possibility. If we distributed such leaflets on flights to Japan, many people would read them and learn a new manner or two.
I also really like The Apothecary Diary! As you said, manga and anime give us so much. We laugh and cry, and in doing so, we develop empathy for others who are different from us. Additionally, we can easily connect with those who have enjoyed the same works, regardless of their nationality or background. These are the art forms I particularly appreciate.
Good points. Many tourists both visiting Australia and more importantly our biggest local holiday destination, Bali, are unaware of presume same as theirs or a bit egocentrically, that they don't apply to them.
At the end of the year many school leavers go there and a lot of sporting clubs to celebrate. The MLAA there is 21 as you know. and you don't just risk a fine, you may risk imprisonment and their penal system is pretty harsh.
The government in Bali have grown weary of the disrespect shown by a lot of tourists. The major case was about 2 yrs ago when a German couple snuck in covered to a Buddhist temple and then proceeded to live blog their yoga video in scanty swimwear around a sacred tree. They were quickly apprehended and fined and deported and identified around the world for this. Another event was one I witnessed and was another German couple , ignoring the signs about mixed use,deciding to soak in the tiled water tank of the the losmen bath space.
And Ignoring the instructions about how to use the dipper etc. Pretty entitled or just stupid or both, as local Indonesians also staying. They were quickly evicted.
Last story is from Japan, and a local council tired of Vloggers, standing in the road way and even I tink an people's fences and property, clogging up a viewing spot of Mt Fuji (despite signs), erected a huge blank billboard to obscure the view and make the corner safe again.
Like the Manga concept
More to say about risk education sometime for Tourists to OZ and also about the wonderful Queen of Polka Dots Yayoi Kusama at my local art store.
Hi Cristoffa. Oh, I love Indonesia! I have a close friend who lives in Bali and often tells me about such rude behaviour by foreigners.
When I was eating at a nice local restaurant in northern Sumatra, a waiter who knew that I could speak both Indonesian and English came to me for help. A group of Americans were shouting in English, ‘Bring us some French fries!’ at the traditional Indonesian restaurant. All the other staff were scared and hid in the back.
After I spoke to them, they calmed down considerably. They then asked me if there was a ‘decent bakery’ in the town. I couldn't help but wonder why they were there. They left the restaurant without saying thank you to me or the waiter.
When I was a university student, an Australian man asked me, ‘How much?’ in the nightlife district of Kuta.
Many local people don't like Westerners, but that's because such incidents actually happen way too frequently. Most foreigners visiting Japan are better than that, but I occasionally hear stories about people like them.
I saw on the news that the Yayoi Kusama exhibition in Australia is successful. I'm so pleased!
Thank you Wyrd! I think this is a very smart idea. If popular illustrators and artists from other countries cooperate in this kind of campaign, many visitors will be happy to learn the local manners💓
Many interests, but one is education and media for good purpose.
Cool use and choice of manga in this.
On the whole more similar customs or expectations of behavior than not (from Oz).
We also drive on the left hand side of the road, and for perhaps many similar reans to Japan. It is much easier to mount and dismount from your horses on the left side of the horse for most and not end up on the traffic side, especially if you are carrying a sword (usually worn a on the left). Think about it. Drivers of horse or oxen drawn carts wold use long whips to control the lead animals, and these were easier to draw up in the right handed from the right side. And Japan developed its train systen from Brit model which had trains running on the LHS.
The slurp or not and bowl lifting is useful as to inform, that maybe ok. The bowing information I did find interesting as they chose 45 Saikeirei and not 30 Keirei form. Or Esaku. This one that many Australians may struggle with or to be anti-egalitarian or a power thing. Queuind just makes sense, and a legal age for drinking of 20, would be a good thing here but hard to manage now. It was 21 here till the late 60s and early 70s.
Using your fingers for sushi makes sense.
Grew up in a rural area and so always took off your outside shoes or boots, esp if visiting
Hygene behaviour if coughing or sneezinh has sort of slipped backwards here and not masking if so.
And loud public behviour and sharing your conversation with train carriage or the bus is one of my pet hates.
Hi Cristoffa. I'm glad that most of these manners are easy for you to understand.
Many people travel without knowing the drinking age in other countries. It's important to know this before you try to buy beer at a convenience store and get turned away!
Also, these days, foreign YouTubers and others often film videos while talking loudly in quiet temples or crowded trains. I am not sure if such people will stop to read these signs, but popular manga characters are more likely to catch their attention.
It’s a (long running!) very light-hearted romp with a huge cast of interesting characters. Probably my favorite fantasy epic manga/anime (though it is very shōnen).
My all-time favorite, though, is Assassination Classroom. So touching and powerful and ultimately heartbreaking. Have you seen or read that one?
Assassination Classroom is also a very popular manga, but unfortunately I haven't read it yet. With so many great manga being published, it's really hard to keep up. I often find myself reading hits from 20 years ago, haha. What really amazes me is that these older works don't feel old at all💓
Indeed. I’ve experienced the same thing. I think there is something timeless to a lot of manga/anime because the stories delve so deeply into human behavior or, in the case of SF, do a very good job of anticipating the future. The Cowboy Bebop anime is a good example — late 1990s but as watchable today as it was then.
I’ve gotten really hooked on manga/anime (and Asian storytelling in general) because it’s (usually 😁) so much better than what Hollywood or a lot of American authors turns out. Our young culture seems in serious decay, so I turn to far more ancient cultures that still know how to spin a good tale. Perhaps because they’ve been doing it for so long.
Hollywood films were so successful that there was a period when films were only made following the same formula. That was quite unfortunate. Compared to that, manga and anime are more diverse, and everyone can find something they really enjoy.
There is definitely room for us to learn from each other. Nice to meet you too, Wyrd☺️
Yes, not only are manga and anime more wonderfully diverse, but they seem not to have the American bias for predictable happy endings. I watched the “Death Note” anime recently and thought there was a good chance the villain might win.
Whether these are common sense or not probably depends on which country you come from. In some countries, younger people are allowed to drink alcohol, and it is not a problem to talk loudly on trains. For instance, British people are generally polite, but if they go to Japan without knowing anything about the country, they may be seen as rude or inconsiderate in some ways.
Actually in Britain, it still is rude to talk loudly in public places like trains and not be mindful of others - this was always the case when I was much younger. Unfortunately, people don’t say anything when it happens and there is very little in the way of teaching good manners and so it becomes widespread and prevalent. Often, it’s the people who object to it clearly who are now frowned upon very often.
Hi Saga. Living in London, I know what you mean. British people are so polite that they don't point out other people's bad behavior. Fortunately, I rarely encounter situations that I find unpleasant here💓
I hear Americans are abysmal. I apologize for that.
Thank you Ronda. Most American visitors are wonderful people, but it is true that we have different manners. It takes time to learn about each other, but such efforts will have a positive effect on both sides in the long run💓
If I have questions about manners some people seem to treat that as if I was planning to be rude, so I will suppress the one or two that I had. As a previous commenter noted, common sense manners are displayed, although I found the information about advance booking and reserving baggage space to be helpful, since I am not much of a traveler. I would find it slightly embarrassing to pick up my bowl and slurp noodles, having been chastised as a child for doing that. I am also not very familiar with manga, but I now have a producing mango tree: I need something I can read while sitting beneath it.
There are many interesting and unexpected manners, so I welcome questions.
There is no problem with regular-sized suitcases on the Shinkansen, but reservations are required for extra-large luggage. Reservations are free, but if you board without knowing this, you will be charged 1,000 yen (7 dollars).
Regarding noodles, I actually don't slurp them either (this applies to people from certain regions of Japan), so as long as you don't frown when others do, it's fine.
Not lifting the bowl might be an issue. This is the opposite of the custom in neighbouring South Korea, so when we visit each other's countries, we get quite confused. As you said, it's difficult to practise ‘bad manners.’
As a traveller, I am fascinated by different customs. As an Englishman, it is second nature to say "please" "thank you", And "I'm sorry" (when somebody bumps into me) thank you. Tom x
Haha, yes, Japanese people say ‘sorry’ for equally irrational reasons, so English people should feel comfortable there. Thank you for reading Tom!
These manga manners are brilliant!
I haven’t been reading manga for such a long time. I used to in high school (many many years ago). There are always hidden layers of stories in manga. Even in those high school romance or comedic stories, I learned about the hard work and resilience, from the judo girl, or the theatre performer, or the ballet dancer, which somehow inspired me to adopt the same principles. It felt like having an invisible tutor giving a teenager advice.
Nowadays I enjoy watching some animes. They still have those valuable hidden messages about many things, such as resilience, courage, life values, etc.. so even though I watched them for entertainment, I was getting valuable advices as bonus. The recent one I just watched was The Apothecary Diary. I was impressed by the details of the medicine information woven into the story plot, and it kind of makes sense when I read somewhere online that the author of the original manga was a pharmacist.
I am so glad you liked them. This may a new possibility. If we distributed such leaflets on flights to Japan, many people would read them and learn a new manner or two.
I also really like The Apothecary Diary! As you said, manga and anime give us so much. We laugh and cry, and in doing so, we develop empathy for others who are different from us. Additionally, we can easily connect with those who have enjoyed the same works, regardless of their nationality or background. These are the art forms I particularly appreciate.
I love that even Attack on Titan is in there! And I had no idea we could eat sushi with our hands. Thank you for posting these Yuri.
Yes, some people including me tend to eat them with our hands. Thank you for reading🍣
Thanks. Some great manga-anime characters to see here. Unfortunately my favourite wasn’t featured (Chihiro from Spirited Away).
That is partly because Spirited Away is originally an anime, and these are all manga characters :)
Hi Yuri, thanks for the reply to my reply!
Good points. Many tourists both visiting Australia and more importantly our biggest local holiday destination, Bali, are unaware of presume same as theirs or a bit egocentrically, that they don't apply to them.
At the end of the year many school leavers go there and a lot of sporting clubs to celebrate. The MLAA there is 21 as you know. and you don't just risk a fine, you may risk imprisonment and their penal system is pretty harsh.
The government in Bali have grown weary of the disrespect shown by a lot of tourists. The major case was about 2 yrs ago when a German couple snuck in covered to a Buddhist temple and then proceeded to live blog their yoga video in scanty swimwear around a sacred tree. They were quickly apprehended and fined and deported and identified around the world for this. Another event was one I witnessed and was another German couple , ignoring the signs about mixed use,deciding to soak in the tiled water tank of the the losmen bath space.
And Ignoring the instructions about how to use the dipper etc. Pretty entitled or just stupid or both, as local Indonesians also staying. They were quickly evicted.
Last story is from Japan, and a local council tired of Vloggers, standing in the road way and even I tink an people's fences and property, clogging up a viewing spot of Mt Fuji (despite signs), erected a huge blank billboard to obscure the view and make the corner safe again.
Like the Manga concept
More to say about risk education sometime for Tourists to OZ and also about the wonderful Queen of Polka Dots Yayoi Kusama at my local art store.
Regards and thanks. My Fellow Substackian.
Hi Cristoffa. Oh, I love Indonesia! I have a close friend who lives in Bali and often tells me about such rude behaviour by foreigners.
When I was eating at a nice local restaurant in northern Sumatra, a waiter who knew that I could speak both Indonesian and English came to me for help. A group of Americans were shouting in English, ‘Bring us some French fries!’ at the traditional Indonesian restaurant. All the other staff were scared and hid in the back.
After I spoke to them, they calmed down considerably. They then asked me if there was a ‘decent bakery’ in the town. I couldn't help but wonder why they were there. They left the restaurant without saying thank you to me or the waiter.
When I was a university student, an Australian man asked me, ‘How much?’ in the nightlife district of Kuta.
Many local people don't like Westerners, but that's because such incidents actually happen way too frequently. Most foreigners visiting Japan are better than that, but I occasionally hear stories about people like them.
I saw on the news that the Yayoi Kusama exhibition in Australia is successful. I'm so pleased!
I very much enjoyed all the illustrations and lessons in your post. Good stuff to know!
Thank you Wyrd! I think this is a very smart idea. If popular illustrators and artists from other countries cooperate in this kind of campaign, many visitors will be happy to learn the local manners💓
Thanks As Always, Yuri.
Many interests, but one is education and media for good purpose.
Cool use and choice of manga in this.
On the whole more similar customs or expectations of behavior than not (from Oz).
We also drive on the left hand side of the road, and for perhaps many similar reans to Japan. It is much easier to mount and dismount from your horses on the left side of the horse for most and not end up on the traffic side, especially if you are carrying a sword (usually worn a on the left). Think about it. Drivers of horse or oxen drawn carts wold use long whips to control the lead animals, and these were easier to draw up in the right handed from the right side. And Japan developed its train systen from Brit model which had trains running on the LHS.
The slurp or not and bowl lifting is useful as to inform, that maybe ok. The bowing information I did find interesting as they chose 45 Saikeirei and not 30 Keirei form. Or Esaku. This one that many Australians may struggle with or to be anti-egalitarian or a power thing. Queuind just makes sense, and a legal age for drinking of 20, would be a good thing here but hard to manage now. It was 21 here till the late 60s and early 70s.
Using your fingers for sushi makes sense.
Grew up in a rural area and so always took off your outside shoes or boots, esp if visiting
Hygene behaviour if coughing or sneezinh has sort of slipped backwards here and not masking if so.
And loud public behviour and sharing your conversation with train carriage or the bus is one of my pet hates.
was another comment that I was going to say ??
Thans and will share with some friends later.
Hi Cristoffa. I'm glad that most of these manners are easy for you to understand.
Many people travel without knowing the drinking age in other countries. It's important to know this before you try to buy beer at a convenience store and get turned away!
Also, these days, foreign YouTubers and others often film videos while talking loudly in quiet temples or crowded trains. I am not sure if such people will stop to read these signs, but popular manga characters are more likely to catch their attention.
Fairy Tail is one of my favorites!
I haven't read Fairy Tail. I really should!
It’s a (long running!) very light-hearted romp with a huge cast of interesting characters. Probably my favorite fantasy epic manga/anime (though it is very shōnen).
My all-time favorite, though, is Assassination Classroom. So touching and powerful and ultimately heartbreaking. Have you seen or read that one?
Assassination Classroom is also a very popular manga, but unfortunately I haven't read it yet. With so many great manga being published, it's really hard to keep up. I often find myself reading hits from 20 years ago, haha. What really amazes me is that these older works don't feel old at all💓
Indeed. I’ve experienced the same thing. I think there is something timeless to a lot of manga/anime because the stories delve so deeply into human behavior or, in the case of SF, do a very good job of anticipating the future. The Cowboy Bebop anime is a good example — late 1990s but as watchable today as it was then.
I’ve gotten really hooked on manga/anime (and Asian storytelling in general) because it’s (usually 😁) so much better than what Hollywood or a lot of American authors turns out. Our young culture seems in serious decay, so I turn to far more ancient cultures that still know how to spin a good tale. Perhaps because they’ve been doing it for so long.
Nice to meet you!
Hollywood films were so successful that there was a period when films were only made following the same formula. That was quite unfortunate. Compared to that, manga and anime are more diverse, and everyone can find something they really enjoy.
There is definitely room for us to learn from each other. Nice to meet you too, Wyrd☺️
Yes, not only are manga and anime more wonderfully diverse, but they seem not to have the American bias for predictable happy endings. I watched the “Death Note” anime recently and thought there was a good chance the villain might win.
I don't know if I learned any manners, but those manga images brought back many great memories...
I love some of them too💓
All basic common sense manners. How sad so many are ignorant or disrespectful of them.
Whether these are common sense or not probably depends on which country you come from. In some countries, younger people are allowed to drink alcohol, and it is not a problem to talk loudly on trains. For instance, British people are generally polite, but if they go to Japan without knowing anything about the country, they may be seen as rude or inconsiderate in some ways.
Actually in Britain, it still is rude to talk loudly in public places like trains and not be mindful of others - this was always the case when I was much younger. Unfortunately, people don’t say anything when it happens and there is very little in the way of teaching good manners and so it becomes widespread and prevalent. Often, it’s the people who object to it clearly who are now frowned upon very often.
Hi Saga. Living in London, I know what you mean. British people are so polite that they don't point out other people's bad behavior. Fortunately, I rarely encounter situations that I find unpleasant here💓