Why are the Japanese so rude?

Answer 1

Rude?? It will really depend on what you actually mean (since “Rudeness” can be expressed in many different ways).

I have lived in Japan for 7 years and here’s what I can tell you.

The people in Tokyo have a very fast paced life. Most of the workers are just in a hurry to get through the days and have such a fixed lifestyle, so don’t bother asking them for directions. Best bet is they will simply say they do not understand English, or tell you the wrong directions just so they can hurry to where they are going. It is like asking for directions in New York city. But don’t get me wrong. There are “nice” people out there, you just have to find and ask the right person, who is not so tied up to the city clockwork that they live in.

The people living in the Kansai region are more of a comical/talkative type of people versus other parts of Japan, so they might be a little more straightforward, which can be seen as rude. However, once you get to know them, they love to joke about almost everything (every story they tell has to have a “punch-line” in the end) and can be one of the more foreigner friendly places in all of Japan (which is why I currently decided to reside and work here). What I have viewed as very rude in the beginning, was my misconception of how they express their hospitality.

The people living outside the major cities in Japan are a much more friendly lot. A lesser crowd, but the chances are the old lady you asked for directions will try her very best to see you make it to your destination safely (mainly gestures). Some of these people never traveled abroad, and the closest they have seen of a foreigner is on TV. So they tend to be more “curious” then “shy”. So if you found their waves of questions about the most strangest things >> which some people might see as “rude”.

Please also understand that Japanese people are very shy and not self assertive, especially if they do not understand English (or the language you try to communicate with them besides Japanese). Chances are, they will freak out that you are trying to communicate with them in your language. Yes, you will find people who will try to help you, despite their limited vocabulary, with gestures. But if you enter a restaurant or shopping mall asking for something, chances are they will try to avoid you, so they will not end up wasting your time answering questions with the wrong answers. Just try to find someone who speaks your language, or better yet, study a little of Japanese so you can avoid as much confusion and misunderstanding possible.

If you are referring to the younger generation, you should not find that much of difference in any other country’s younger generation’s behavior. Try comparing notes with them, and surprisingly you might find more things in common than you once thought.

Try viewing things more from a third perspective. “Rudeness” like in every other country is just simple misunderstanding or lack of knowledge of how a person feels that causes you to feel discontent. Just don’t take it serious. And if you really felt offended, don’t hesitate to ask someone why a certain person act a certain way towards you. There is usually a reason behind “why”. So the next time around, you will find their rudeness quite funny and something you can live with.

Answer 2

Are you meeting Japanese from Japan or going to sushi shops in other countries like Australia. Sushi shops in Australia are mostly run by Koreans and Chinese. I'd hate to say it but their service is less than satisfactory and can be rude. A simple test to see in they are Japanese is to ask for chopsticks in Japanese "ohashi o kudasai" if they have no idea what you are saying then they are not Japanese.

Why did I bring this up? Well some people in Australia think Japanese are rude for the above reason, they can't distinguish between different Asian cultures or appearances.

Answer 3

Japanese are not rude. They are one of the most polite peoples in the world. But I can understand how one might mistake their actions as being rude. Basically you need to be open and not compare your culture to theirs. Do not use your culture as the measuring stick for what is to be considered rudeness. Most closed minded people DO do that and therefore have the attitude you are displaying in this question. This question, in some cultures could be considered rude. Do you consider your question rude? If not, you should be able to answer your own question.

Just have an open accepting mind, and the "rudness" will disappear.

Best wishes.

Answer 4

thats incredibly odd to hear! I've been lucky enough to be living in japan for almost two years now and I've never been rudely treated, in fact, I get better service and treatment here than I've ever gotten back home in the U.S.A! They have different traditions than we do though, so somethings we expect them to do out of curtisy to others, they don't do. Just like we don't always take our shoes off when visiting others, and I'm sure they think we are rude for that. I think that you need to spend a bit more time getting to know them and a bit less time on here trash talking.

Answer 5

Japanese will go out of their way to not be rude more than any other culture that I have been to (which is a lot 22 countries). Anyway, even if they may hate you on the inside, they wont show it and will even offer to be your friend.

Kamisama no shikufuku ga arimasu youni.!!!

Answer 6

Japanese is not rude, it just many people dont understand their culture.

Answer 7

All i will declare, guitarguy1212, you're definitely maximum appropriate. i've got not been to Japan yet constantly (constantly) as quickly as I come upon jap human beings i think undesirable. i do no longer know why besides the incontrovertible fact that that is basically that - feeling undesirable and unhappy. I had some jap buddies and friends in college. they freely and (with clues) laughed approximately my visual allure, advised they hated my united states of america and human beings, stated it is not nicely worth discovering jap by way of fact no remember how nicely I did, it is going to in hassle-free terms seem humorous to them. They affiliate their evaluations no longer with their very own selves yet with nationality. each sentence starts with "We jap". So in short, it is not relaxing. i'm attempting to keep away from speaking with jap by way of fact in my opinion, they're rude. basically my journey.

Answer 8

they are not rude, they are just differnet, They come form SUCH a different culture that their behaviour might shock you sometimes but make sure to learn more about them and be open to the difference. Dont just judge thinking form your own point of view

Answer 9

They ain't rude !! Dude ! you don't know anything about Japan

Answer 10

That's like asking why is McDonald's so healthy.
Japanese are infamous for their hospitability, kindness, generosity and manners.