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pretty much anything we do in japan is ridiculously consided rude , just because we're gaijin. bravo you just discourage us to go in japan. There , they don't care about common human error no they only care about the appearances and cultural diffrences. even ppl in my country r genrally more tolerant
This is because nobody in the west today understands what the "handshake" even means ! It is still a taboo to handshake with females in the west if you belong to the aristocratic class. Today it is mostly in a business setting that there is a handshake between females and males.
Almost as if shaking hand is like holding hand together or something. I heard holding hand in couple is still considered like a "difficult" thing to do in public in Japan.
I'm in the UK but my hairstylist is Japanese. The first time we met I shook his hand in a friendly way. Dude glitched. He started giggling like a little kid and seemed so pleased with himself. Makes sense now.
@@tsukuneboybut politeness in Japan can be a barrier to friendship. Japanese ppl tend to be very polite because it’s bad to caus trouble to others, or offend ppl. Especially clients/work colleagues.
Yeah it is actually considered rude in Germany too, but alas too many do it nowadays, even elderly people, which really frustrates me, since older people should be a role model.
Personally i think it's a class thing. At least in Australia anyway. You won't see wealthy people doing this because they care about imagine but the average Aussie bloke doesn't care as much
Not for chinese. They do it all the time, no matter where they happen to be. They just don't care. Even cruise ships put out spittoons in every corner of the ship when they have a lot of chinese passengers. Disgusting.
Most all people should value character. Also the Chinese spit and are generally obnoxious. All other places in Asia are proper. I sincerely love this channel, thank you.
I was in Japan for about 21 days in March, and when I came back to the states I was bowing at people for like 2 weeks lmao Also the gentlemen at the end were totally correct. Specifically, attitude matters more than knowledge. If you commit a faux pas because you don't know it's wrong, but are respectful in a general sense, they'll pick up on that and will give you a pass and probably even teach you the "proper" etiquette. If you do something wrong because you don't CARE, or are dismissive or disdainful when they try to teach you their ways, that's when it becomes a problem. Basically "Just be cool, man."
it's also because she has her arm high and doesn't bow when initiating the handshake. If she were Asian it would've been very rude because that way of doing handshakes is mostly for people of very high status, like a company boss or top-ranking politicians. He was shy and taken aback. I would just refuse the handshake.
This is so funny because I witnessed what holding the door for someone in Korea does lmao. I held the door entering a mall as I usually do if I see people close by and when I tell you the guy RAN for the door, bowed and thanked me about 10 times and continued to RUN AND BOW at the same time like I just offered him 10k. It was so funny and puzzling at the same time. I didn't know that they didn't hold the door for each other.
@@magnetospin They weren't far away, if I didn't hold the door it would have been about halfway closed once they got there and it's a heavy, annoying door.
@@user-io5yy5jc9nWow, those are some very interesting insight, and also the longest post I've ever seen in youtube comments. What do you think caused this change in culture?
I've been to Japan a few times, and never noticed that it wasn't customary to hold the door open for others (I guess in Tokyo a lot of the doors are automatic, which is why). Sometimes it can be super awkward if they're too far away and you hold it for them though, and you're kinda forcing them to run.
pretty much anything we do in japan is ridiculously consided rude , just because we're gaijin. bravo you just discourage us to go in japan. There , they don't care about common human error no they only care about the appearances and cultural diffrences. even ppl in my
6:57 It’s interesting to see their reactions to firm handshake. In my country Indonesia we do shake hands, so I didn’t realize until foreigners pointed it out to me that it was a different kind of handshake to the western-style one, because we only slightly touch the other person’s hand before taking our own to the heart. So I can totally understand why a firm handshake can be seen as an aggressive move by the Japanese. 1:13 I love this, it really shows the Japanese character. You don’t do something not because you’re scared of the repercussions, but because you know it’s incorrect.
Legal repercussions and social repercussions are too different things. Something may not be illegal but if you see no one doing it then you won't do it either so that you don't stick out much.
pretty much anything we do in japan is ridiculously consided rude , just because we're gaijin. bravo you just discourage us to go in japan. There , they don't care about common human error no they only care about the appearances and cultural diffrences. even ppl in my country r genrally more tolerant
@@maegalroammis6020 I don’t know why you’re taking it that way, it’s common sense to try and familiarize yourself with the country you’re visiting, especially if you’re going to be there for an extended period of time. I’ve been to Japan and people were nothing but nice to me, despite me having little knowledge of local customs. If I were to stay there for work or study, I’d make sure to learn more about their culture so as to make myself and the people around me more comfortable in interacting with each other.
@@kilanspeaks how many time i read foreign people comments where they complain about the fact japanese aren't enough direct to them? how many time i saw people pretending they got along with japanese because it's easy when they speak perfectly the language? too many times.
@@maegalroammis6020When in Rome, do as the Romans do. If you don't even understand what's the meaning of that quote, we can't explain anything to your kind at this point
A firm handshake is not about force, but rather about reliability. It is like showing to your peers that they can trust you not to "drop the ball" so to speak.
well not really you would be surprised how much is about egos too, I wouldnt say it is scientifically proven just in my experience lol, I have uncles that own big company in my country and is mostly a family own and is funny because the more you get upper in the ladder the more the force they put on the handshake, like one own has a branch the company and has the less force, my aunt is the accountant and has more grip than the other thatt owns the branch lol and the owner has the most force and one that is in the software is in middle of accountant and owner
Sure, some people take the firmness way too far (ego perhaps?) But just a solid medium firm handshake is quite enough i’d say. Shaking a limp hand always feels wierd to me and you may as well wave instead.
precisely this. firm handshakes isnt a proof of strength... its a proof of your PERSONALITY and how reliable you are deep inside. Try giving a sloppy weak handshake in an interview and good luck getting hired vs someone who gives a strong handshake...
But a sloppy Handshake is also terrible. Dont crush the hand of the other but also dont give them the feeling if he holds a bunch of Noodles in his hand.
It is showing off. It's a 'firm' handshake, not a crushing one. Someone who crushes your hand is just as bad as someone who barely grips it but for different reasons.
Yea dude, I have an uncle (a kinda problematic one and full of bs) that always handshaked me with a weak ass grip that I find it very annoying, it was like he didnt even cared to say hello or more like hes just very weak in some aspects.. the old guy also talked bad about anything specially women, so I see why he is this.. On the other side if a get a "showing off" handshake and starts to really hurt then my other hand will move dont matter the size of the guy..
The fellow wearing the white/grey mask seemed very in touch with being respectful. He answered the questions based on situational stuff that is common to happen in your day to day life. Big commendations to him!
It's a strong enough reaction that it makes me wonder if he's on the spectrum or something, it was extremely bizarre. He acted as if he had been stabbed over a bloody handshake. Looked like his head was rushing and he couldn't breathe lol
I think he was one of those permavirgins who was perplexed by the touch of a woman. Notice how his gaze couldn't land on her. Maybe some of that tism as well but who knows.
@@alexsm3882 Exactly, especially since they said ahead of time that they were going to do it to see what it was like. He's acting like she just did it out of nowhere and it surprised him.
After I became close to my Japanese friends whole living in Tokyo, I always hugged and kissed them and they all told me how much they loved it 😅😅 ans they always say “I miss your hugs”
In Québec, when you greet an older woman, especially family, you generally hug them, and then give them a light kiss on each cheek. Women regardless of age do that (or a good hug) with other women and guy friends. For guys, it's a polite handshake, or a hug for friends and family.
Wouldn't it be shocking if someone you met for the first time suddenly licked your ear? This is an analogy. However, the first time I was hugged by a foreigner as a Japanese person, it was just as much of a culture shock as the story above. I don't know about other people though. i understand how he feels
Shaking hands is completely different from licking someone's ear. If a simple handshake scares a Japanese, then the problem is with the Japanese.@@SuperTh0001
I'm European, but I agree that handshakes can feel really awkward 😅 Your "Nice to meet you" have to sound friendly and genuine, even if someone squished your hand like a stress ball just milliseconds prior
Also you never know what kind of handshake they choose. There are so many different styles nowaydays and if both people involded chose a different style the result is pure awkwardness.
"Rather than paying fines, Japanese people live by their character. When they do something wrong, just ask them to do the right thing".....Japan may be one of the only countries in the world where this can happen.
He actually says "Instead of making people pay fines we Japanese, in a way, we live using our hearts. Therefore you should ask them (to do the right thing) with your heart"
That’s a bitter pill to swallow because of what happens to those who pour their heart into the wrong thing. It’s a double edged sword. A gambit more specifically.
pretty much anything we do in japan is ridiculously considered rude , just because we're gaijin. bravo you just discourage us to go to japan. There , they don't care about common human error no they only care about the appearances and cultural differences. even ppl in my aren't so strict.
One of the best experiences I had while in Japan, serving in the United States Navy, we hired a fisherman to help us guard the ship some 200 meters offshore. When it came time for me to stand guard for 6 hours late at night to early morning, I didn't bring anything to eat but he shared a cup of shrimp ramen and we ended up talking at great length. We shared many cultural insights together despite neither one of us being able to speak much of the others language. A highly respectable elder, I felt as if I was getting to know a long lost uncle. Such a simple thing yet I will never forget how kind he was to me.
@@szasza8583haha, I'm Japanese and yes, people have a bad heart because we are human. Of course, there are many bad people here. In Japan, however, it is considered important to try to improve behavior and attitude.
@daenackdranils5624The true face and the public face (tatemae) are distinct. Tatemae is how you carry yourself outwardly in public in all manner of daily obligations, work, errands, interactions with neighbors, food service workers, postal officers, traffic guards, police, etc. That "mode" should always be on when outside, regardless of how you're feeling physically or mentally, or what one "going through" in life. It's the face of a mature, cultivated, and considerate man or woman.
The senior gentleman has very good answer to all the questions. He seems to realize a lot of differences between world and Japan, and he seems to balance it well.
I've been taught that in Western culture, handshakes were used as a greeting but also to show you were unarmed (nothing tucked up the sleeves) and came in peace. If you were to bow instead, you could be armed and trying to conceal that. In the new, post (?) pandemic Western world, handshakes are not as common with strangers or people you've just met. During the pandemic, elbow touches were ok for an informal greeting with strangers. Otherwise, for a formal meeting, you would wave hello and introduce yourself, or just introduce yourself. Finally, in the Western world a handshake with a firm grip is a show of interest in meting someone. If your handshake is weak, you might be viewed as disinterested or uncaring, or like you don't want to be present in that situation. But if your grip is ridiculously strong, it can be viewed as a show of dominance which can be insulting. It's mostly expected that men have a strong handshake and women have a firm, but gentle handshake but that's a very traditional mindset based on gender roles.
That's pretty interesting because I heard that bowing in Japan came from samurai culture. It also means "I'm unarmed. You can cut my neck off if you want." We keep bowing in the same manner both before and after the pandemic though.
Because bowing makes more sense in every situation. If you shake hands you can transfer germs to the hand of the other person. Also you don´t know whether the other person touched some dirty things before shaking your hand. Thus, bowing is cleaner. Also it looks more elegant.@@chi694
Fist bump is still physical contact. Also I feel like it looks pretentious. Like people wanna show how cool they are when it actually just looks a bit weird.@@TheCarrot85
In my country, a firm handshake is a sign of respect. Say for example if you're going to a job interview and you shake your potential new boss his hand... if it's very weak, he might think "oh, this person is not really that interested in the job", while a firm handshake shows enthusiasm. Also, it's important to stand up while shaking hands. Never shake someone's hand from a sitting position. Stand up, look them in the eye and give a firm handshake, is the most respectful way (or so I've been taught). I've also heard that the nerve endings in your hand go straight to your heart (or something like that). So if you shake hands, you connect to each other heart to heart.
In some European countries, in elder generation there was also a custom that gentlemen, instead of a handshake with a woman, used to kiss a lady's hand (actually, it didn't have to be a real kiss, just a peck or bowing to her hand and pretending to kiss it). It was very common in the past, as a sign of respect to a lady, even in formal situations. Probably the origins of this custom was from the old times of the knights at the royal courts, and so on. Now it's of course considered as really outdated and the younger generations do not do it at all. But still, in my country quite a lot of elder men, like around 70 years old, practice this.
Its kind of a pitty that those respectful gestures diappeared. In my country in the past the men were also bowing, like 15 degree. It was called ,,Diener". And the women were doing a curtsy, called ,,Knicks". I wish courtesy was still cinsidered a virtue nowadays. Instead machism is taking over and polluting our society.
@@Alternatives_Universum In Wikipedia it is said that what You write about above, these Knicks and Diener, was practiced in Germany or Austria still even up to 1960s. Is it true?
@@MayaTheDecemberGirl Yes, it is still common after a theater or dance perfomance were the male actors bow and the femal do a Knicks. I also do that sometimes, not in a formal way but if somebody i know does something great or funny to pay him respect or as a funny gesture.
1:34 As a Filipino, I understand where the Japanese are coming from when it comes to punctuality. Here in the Philippines, we have a concept of “Filipino Time” where people show up in parties, get-togethers, etc. 20 or 30 minutes beyond the supposed appointed time and that it is even socially acceptable given how relaxed we Filipinos are. If a Filipino goes to Japan, then the “Filipino Time” is a BIG NO NO.
@@Ci-el-ka Not really - in Indonesia and Malaysia, they also have this, which they call "jam karet" - 'rubber time'. This is pretty much a tropical country thing...
likely due to how japanese society works. for the most part in japan societal rules play a stronger factor than laws in people's choices in japan, which ends up having negatives in the work place where you can have black companies and such with nobody speaking up
I have worked for a Danish company for some years and hugging was a thing there.....took some getting used too. I'm not sure if that's a Danish thing or really just that company.....they were actually all about doing things their way instead of the usual.....which was actually a very good thing.
As a westerner who has always bowed to people instinctively I have always found firm and strong handshakes extremely irritating because when people do them oftentimes they want to show off their presence, and from my personal experience they tend to lack modesty and courtesy
Same here 😁 I do bow a bit as well as shake hands. I Poland shaking hands is a sign of respect however just like you said. Some people try to squeeze the life of your hand probably to establish their own dominance 🤦♂️ it's so annoying and unnecessary. Could even end with an injury
To this day, I still bow when thanking people, especially my customers. I'm American, but I lived in Okinawa Japan for three years as a kid and a bunch of their customs are embedded into my brain still.
The guy at 7:22 is not wrong in his opinion about showing confidence and strength/willpower during a handshake. The older generation often told us that we should have a good, firm handshake because a weak handshake says a lot about how insecure the other person is. Insecurity is a sign of a weak character. If someone signs a contract in a business situation and they shake hands afterwards and the person who signed the contract has a weak handshake, you can assume that they are not fully behind it or are still thinking about everything.
At the time of the interview, I was walking around the entrance of the station and needed directions to find my destination so I asked the person behind the recording for directions, especially since it was my first time in japan, but I wasn't sure how low to bow when I first greeted and thanked them, so I just bowed the same for both and was worried that it came off as wrong. After watching the video, I think I'm much more confident on around how much to bow when I meet people the next time I come back to Japan
The old man looks like a rrally nice person! His answers were also so polite, kind and heartwarming! I hope new japanese generations become someone like him!
interesting.. as for greetings, in my country its also firm handshake. its amusing to hear thoughts of Japanese people on these handshakes. Firm handshake is actually taken in my country as sign I am happy to meet someone and I am serious about it. If my handahake is weak, fast, it means Im not particularly enjoying meeting this person. So in general, handshake should always be firm as good manner.
It's very weird for them, just like people coming from Anglophone countries find the French weird for kissing on the cheeks (maybe even more for Japanese people)
@@xjmmjbnqfstjdijoj2044even for me who grew up in a country with handshake as greeting, the french one is definitely too much😂. Well in our case we kiss the outer hand instead of cheek, as it's the most polite form of handshake and symbolize obedience and absolute respect from kids to their parents/teachers/people who far older than them
I'll say that as a general rule in Japan, Japanese people consider those around them more than Western countries. Is more a community focus mentality. Due to this, it is easier to think it as if this is going to bother people around you, then you should make sure to do it with caution to avoid being considered rude. At least, that's what I personally do
German here. After watching too many animes and too many japanese related videos on RUclips I got used to bow down when greeting or thanking literally anybody. Most people don't say anything but I can feel that's it's a little weird to them.
As an American, I’ve always hated handshakes. I’d love for it to leave our culture. I don’t like touching strangers and I don’t like when they touch me. It’s so unnecessary and potentially gross, we don’t know where each other has been.
I’m coming to Japan for a two week vacation in November and can honestly say I can’t wait! How I wish respect for tradition, one’s elders and basic good manners were as prevalent in UK society as they are over there. I admire Japanese culture so very much.❤
It is interesting that they take handshakes as aggressive and threatening when handshakes were introduced as a cultural tradition to show the other person you didn't have weapons and were not threatening.
I wish we used bowing as a greeting in the west rather than hand shakes, I've always hated them. I've noticed in bathrooms that plenty of men don't wash their hands afterwards so it's a pretty unhygienic practice, recently I've just been politely refusing handshakes.
May I ask how you refuse handshakes and have it not seen as rude? I'm genuinely curious as I personally find handshakes rather cumbersome, I do it only if one is extended to me and it always riddles me with anxiety as I have small hands and there's a limit to how firmly I can grasp another's hand, especially a man's hand that is way larger than mine. I have also erroneously squeezed someone's hand (a man, with larger hands than me, so i imagine that was an odd experience for them as well) when his grasp was pretty gentle and comfortable for me, which was quite different from another's I had experienced.
@@fireroum I just lie and say I've been weird about it since covid and try and apologetically laugh it off, which is a good excuse. I'm also not hugely bothered if someone perceives it as rudeness because a) it's completely reasonable to control who touches your body and b) I'm self employed and at a point where I can largely please myself.
@williamnelson2228 Changing that hand shake into a fist bump is a good way to not make yourself look like a dork. Or do something like Namaste or something.
Love those cute interview of strangers. Always cool and interresting informations. Love the voice of the interviewer (idk her name sorry). And the strangers were so wholesome! Keep up
I'm a US citizen and I'm late if I'm on time. I almost always arrive a little bit early for an appointment (business or social) so I can be there a minute or so early. Otherwise you disrespect the person you're meeting as if their time isn't as valuable as your time.
very interesting. for me, as a french, for whom equality is a fundamental value, bowing is viewed as submitting, and that's quite incompatible with our culture. 🙂
Same for us Greeks. It would seem a little submissive and people would look down on someone bowing since freedom is the core of our culture (our national anthem is literally all about freedom and how it's better to die than lose your freedom) BUT we get it is a cultural difference and when Asians bow we consider it normal.
@@alx_gr1Anthem of my country - it's the same, freedom for which You fight, even at cost of Your life. And that's right that shaking hands is a gesture of equality, not submission.
Japanese people on the other hand have clear hierarchical rules and being humble is seen as virtuous over there. Bowing is seen as polite and it also means that you don't want to prevail or impose yourself over the other person, it is a sign of respect and humility
@@xjmmjbnqfstjdijoj2044 Being humble is for sure better than being proud. But handshake, in our culture, is also to show that we respect someone and do not treat him as someone worse, but someone equal to us. And we don't have such hierarchical rules as in Japan anymore (there were such rules in the past long time ago, or maybe still are only on royal courts that continue to exist in few countries), so that's probably also the difference.
I lived in Japan for 3 years, 2 as a missionary, and approached thousands of people on the street and shook their hands. It was obvious that some people had never shaken a hand before, and their hands were completely 'dead fish' so I had to learn to be more gentle than I normally would in the countries I grew up in where shaking hands was more common. Most of the countries I've lived in it's also very common to hug when meeting, or give a kiss of the cheek, even for the first time. I work at an international school and it's interesting to see the south Americans greeting their Japanese friends with hugs and kisses. In the beginning they are so taken aback but gradually get used to it and end up loving it. It's great to see the merging of different cultures and opening of minds to new customs :)
It's sad that you have the dominant ideology of the West. You don't understand Japanese culture. A hug or handshake. Japanese people are forced to follow this standard. I hope that someday you will come to Japan and make an effort to use Japanese etiquette as your standard for the length of your stay.
I can definitely see why a firm handshake may be intimidating or awkward to foreigners, even in America handshakes can differ in the south vs the north. In the south, firm handshakes are more like a way of showing friendliness and openness to connecting with a stranger, like you acknowledge them as an equal and can be relaxed with them. A weak handshake usually seems like you’re uncomfortable. Unless it’s a man shaking a lady’s hand, they can start with a gentle shake (some women only give an overhand shake where the man will grab her fingers and give a gentle squeeze as opposed to grabbing at the palm) unless the woman goes in for a firm handshake with eye contact. Any handshake (or lack of) is acceptable. Some may just be more gentle and formal with the person who gives a lighter squeeze, like the elderly especially.
While I did get in trouble a few times, mostly Japanese people were understanding of my mistakes. It’s impossible to do everything perfectly. What’s important is that you’re trying to be respectful.
the taboo on handshake has 2 reasons: avoiding physical contact with someone you do not know intimately, and hygiene. there is even a small plate in shops everywhere where you put your cash/ card, etc. and where the employee can put the change/receipt, etc.
I like bowing too! I eish we did that here in the states. I think its elegant, less intrusive. It makes more sense to me. Hand shaking for some reason makes me feel more anxiety. We were taught how to shake hands and not shake hands. I feel like we are being judged by our handshake.
Poor guy 5:49 looks like he will remember this trauma all his life. 💀 "My grandchildren, you would not believe the shocking experience grandpa went through in the fall of 2023. I was approached by a female foreigner for a street interview. At some point during that interview... she shook my hand !" 😰😅
That one guy was clearly uncomfortable, but I suspect he has social issues at baseline. His reaction was unusual even in his explanation in Japanese afterwards
They are awkward because in Japan, touching someone's body can be accused of sexual harassment. I live in Japan and I am especially careful when I take the train because I could be caught on suspicion of molestation even though I didn't touch the person's body. So it's understandable that Japanese men are awkward with this kind of contact.
Japanese people have a bigger sense of personal space. It's common knowledge that most Japanese people rarely hug even their own family members forget random strangers.
@@user-qm7jw I think you can relax a little! I don't really think that's likely to happen. As long as you are mindful of personal space that should be enough, and as you probably know, sometimes you're gonna have to get pretty close to people if you're in Tokyo or Osaka. I can't speak for Japanese men, but I would be surprised if this was the thought going through their heads. It is probably just an unfamiliar custom, so a little awkward.
I lived in Japan, and coming back home to the states, I disliked handshakes, loudness and rudeness in the state. I've been back for a year and can't adapt back anymore. I agree with the guy on 7:26
There is an occasional problem with foreign men who abuse Western hugging culture to hug and kiss Japanese women they have met for the first time. Japanese women feel fear. This kind of behavior should never be tolerated.
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Thank you to all our community members and interviewees for participating and helping to create cultural bridges. Check out asianboss.io if you want to be part of this exclusive community and bring people together. We are on an important mission, so please watch and share this message video: ruclips.net/video/7ukfLMmI8XY/видео.html
You said: "Back to the video" but this is wrong. also Your insert was our video.
It should have been: "Back to the interviews"
great work guys, loved the video
pretty much anything we do in japan is ridiculously consided rude , just because we're gaijin. bravo you just discourage us to go in japan. There , they don't care about common human error no they only care about the appearances and cultural diffrences. even ppl in my country r genrally more tolerant
Important mission? No it's just another entertainment channel sorry
@@raineypeter " No it's just another entertainment channel sorry"
Sure, bridging cultures is nothing more than entertainment.
I love the faces they made when they had to do a handshake 😂 this one guy was in such shock 😂 😅
Was out of breath 😂
This is because nobody in the west today understands what the "handshake" even means ! It is still a taboo to handshake with females in the west if you belong to the aristocratic class. Today it is mostly in a business setting that there is a handshake between females and males.
i wouldnt be surprised if it is his first time he touched women
Almost as if shaking hand is like holding hand together or something. I heard holding hand in couple is still considered like a "difficult" thing to do in public in Japan.
the culture shock lol
I'm in the UK but my hairstylist is Japanese. The first time we met I shook his hand in a friendly way. Dude glitched. He started giggling like a little kid and seemed so pleased with himself. Makes sense now.
japanese abroad are better to befriend than any one in japan.
@@maegalroammis6020 not really you just have to catch people when they are off work
@@Padlock_Steve Because work is so f*cking important in Japan right?
@@Padlock_Stevepeople actually nicer in work mode. Especially if you're their client😅
@@tsukuneboybut politeness in Japan can be a barrier to friendship. Japanese ppl tend to be very polite because it’s bad to caus trouble to others, or offend ppl. Especially clients/work colleagues.
I mean ...isn't spiting rude in every country ?
It's not forbidden in my country, but people will clearly look you with disgust
its common for koreans to spit in their streets though
Yeah it is actually considered rude in Germany too, but alas too many do it nowadays, even elderly people, which really frustrates me, since older people should be a role model.
Chinese and Koreans spit a lot.
Personally i think it's a class thing. At least in Australia anyway. You won't see wealthy people doing this because they care about imagine but the average Aussie bloke doesn't care as much
Not for chinese. They do it all the time, no matter where they happen to be. They just don't care. Even cruise ships put out spittoons in every corner of the ship when they have a lot of chinese passengers. Disgusting.
The older gentleman seemed super nice.
He is a gem! Reminds me of my dad who is also super sweet and cheery
Yeah he's a Japanese version of my ( now deceased ) Swedish grandfather , Farfar . ♑️✍️🇳🇴🇦🇺
Old is gold... when i viewing his responses.
He is a cutie pie
Most all people should value character.
Also the Chinese spit and are generally obnoxious.
All other places in Asia are proper.
I sincerely love this channel, thank you.
Dude at 5:50 saw into the void with that handshake
Human contact: does not compute
Dude.exe has stopped working
He looks like mitoma from Brighton
Man saw everything from start to the rumbling
He went through 50 different emotions 😂
I was in Japan for about 21 days in March, and when I came back to the states I was bowing at people for like 2 weeks lmao Also the gentlemen at the end were totally correct. Specifically, attitude matters more than knowledge. If you commit a faux pas because you don't know it's wrong, but are respectful in a general sense, they'll pick up on that and will give you a pass and probably even teach you the "proper" etiquette. If you do something wrong because you don't CARE, or are dismissive or disdainful when they try to teach you their ways, that's when it becomes a problem. Basically "Just be cool, man."
5:49 that poor man looked so shocked I'm crying 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I feel like it may have been his first time to touch a woman or something lol
it's also because she has her arm high and doesn't bow when initiating the handshake. If she were Asian it would've been very rude because that way of doing handshakes is mostly for people of very high status, like a company boss or top-ranking politicians. He was shy and taken aback. I would just refuse the handshake.
Lol that’s what I’m wondering, he looks so spooked!
But then he says it was fine. Like yeah, I believe you, my man...
man just came
This is so funny because I witnessed what holding the door for someone in Korea does lmao.
I held the door entering a mall as I usually do if I see people close by and when I tell you the guy RAN for the door, bowed and thanked me about 10 times and continued to RUN AND BOW at the same time like I just offered him 10k. It was so funny and puzzling at the same time. I didn't know that they didn't hold the door for each other.
Yea, holding door definitely should depend on distance. If the person is far way, there's no reason to hold the door.
@@magnetospin They weren't far away, if I didn't hold the door it would have been about halfway closed once they got there and it's a heavy, annoying door.
@@user-io5yy5jc9nWow, those are some very interesting insight, and also the longest post I've ever seen in youtube comments. What do you think caused this change in culture?
The running thing when someone holds the door open for you is universal
The bowing not so much.
I've been to Japan a few times, and never noticed that it wasn't customary to hold the door open for others (I guess in Tokyo a lot of the doors are automatic, which is why). Sometimes it can be super awkward if they're too far away and you hold it for them though, and you're kinda forcing them to run.
The eye contact from the gap of the doors on elevator is awkward and hilarious.😂😂
You can tell she still think about that awkward situation time to time💀💀💀💀
She probably blames that moment for not getting promoted or getting a raise lol
pretty much anything we do in japan is ridiculously consided rude , just because we're gaijin. bravo you just discourage us to go in japan. There , they don't care about common human error no they only care about the appearances and cultural diffrences. even ppl in my
6:57 It’s interesting to see their reactions to firm handshake. In my country Indonesia we do shake hands, so I didn’t realize until foreigners pointed it out to me that it was a different kind of handshake to the western-style one, because we only slightly touch the other person’s hand before taking our own to the heart. So I can totally understand why a firm handshake can be seen as an aggressive move by the Japanese.
1:13 I love this, it really shows the Japanese character. You don’t do something not because you’re scared of the repercussions, but because you know it’s incorrect.
Legal repercussions and social repercussions are too different things. Something may not be illegal but if you see no one doing it then you won't do it either so that you don't stick out much.
pretty much anything we do in japan is ridiculously consided rude , just because we're gaijin. bravo you just discourage us to go in japan. There , they don't care about common human error no they only care about the appearances and cultural diffrences. even ppl in my country r genrally more tolerant
@@maegalroammis6020 I don’t know why you’re taking it that way, it’s common sense to try and familiarize yourself with the country you’re visiting, especially if you’re going to be there for an extended period of time. I’ve been to Japan and people were nothing but nice to me, despite me having little knowledge of local customs. If I were to stay there for work or study, I’d make sure to learn more about their culture so as to make myself and the people around me more comfortable in interacting with each other.
@@kilanspeaks how many time i read foreign people comments where they complain about the fact japanese aren't enough direct to them? how many time i saw people pretending they got along with japanese because it's easy when they speak perfectly the language? too many times.
@@maegalroammis6020When in Rome, do as the Romans do. If you don't even understand what's the meaning of that quote, we can't explain anything to your kind at this point
A firm handshake is not about force, but rather about reliability. It is like showing to your peers that they can trust you not to "drop the ball" so to speak.
Nah , its just a way to transfer germs to other humans.
well not really you would be surprised how much is about egos too, I wouldnt say it is scientifically proven just in my experience lol, I have uncles that own big company in my country and is mostly a family own and is funny because the more you get upper in the ladder the more the force they put on the handshake, like one own has a branch the company and has the less force, my aunt is the accountant and has more grip than the other thatt owns the branch lol and the owner has the most force and one that is in the software is in middle of accountant and owner
Nah most the time it's people trying to prove they're assertive and frankly it means little. I know plenty of useless bitches with a firm handshake.
Sure, some people take the firmness way too far (ego perhaps?) But just a solid medium firm handshake is quite enough i’d say. Shaking a limp hand always feels wierd to me and you may as well wave instead.
precisely this.
firm handshakes isnt a proof of strength... its a proof of your PERSONALITY and how reliable you are deep inside.
Try giving a sloppy weak handshake in an interview and good luck getting hired vs someone who gives a strong handshake...
This is super interesting. Cultures are so different all over the world
Legend says he is still recovering from the shock after that handshake to this day
😂
I always see a handshake that wrecks your hand as "showing off". Like, you don't need to show force. It's a greeting not an arm wrestle competition..
But a sloppy Handshake is also terrible. Dont crush the hand of the other but also dont give them the feeling if he holds a bunch of Noodles in his hand.
It is showing off. It's a 'firm' handshake, not a crushing one. Someone who crushes your hand is just as bad as someone who barely grips it but for different reasons.
@@Hans-Yolo also true. Just have a middle ground.
Be firm, not overbearing.
Yea dude, I have an uncle (a kinda problematic one and full of bs) that always handshaked me with a weak ass grip that I find it very annoying, it was like he didnt even cared to say hello or more like hes just very weak in some aspects.. the old guy also talked bad about anything specially women, so I see why he is this..
On the other side if a get a "showing off" handshake and starts to really hurt then my other hand will move dont matter the size of the guy..
The fellow wearing the white/grey mask seemed very in touch with being respectful. He answered the questions based on situational stuff that is common to happen in your day to day life. Big commendations to him!
5:49 dude clearly felt uncomfortable but tried to be polite. i say respect everyone's culture.
When he said "it's alright" but his facial expression and body language said the complete opposite!
I would suspect that he is somewhere on the autism spectrum
It's a strong enough reaction that it makes me wonder if he's on the spectrum or something, it was extremely bizarre. He acted as if he had been stabbed over a bloody handshake. Looked like his head was rushing and he couldn't breathe lol
I think he was one of those permavirgins who was perplexed by the touch of a woman. Notice how his gaze couldn't land on her. Maybe some of that tism as well but who knows.
@@alexsm3882 Exactly, especially since they said ahead of time that they were going to do it to see what it was like. He's acting like she just did it out of nowhere and it surprised him.
Thank you, this is super helpful since I'm flying to Japan today ❤
The elderly man seems very wholesome and kind.
Imagine now hugging, kissing 2-4 times AND shaking hands. You would be fined in Japan for that 😂
Southern European greatings are not for the weak of heart. 😂
After I became close to my Japanese friends whole living in Tokyo, I always hugged and kissed them and they all told me how much they loved it 😅😅 ans they always say “I miss your hugs”
@@cantthinkofaname3257Brazil too. 🇧🇷
@@melize7035that is so adorable! Good for them keeping an open mind on warm foreign customary greetings
In Québec, when you greet an older woman, especially family, you generally hug them, and then give them a light kiss on each cheek. Women regardless of age do that (or a good hug) with other women and guy friends. For guys, it's a polite handshake, or a hug for friends and family.
dude at 5:50 almost had a heart attack shaking her hand
Wouldn't it be shocking if someone you met for the first time suddenly licked your ear? This is an analogy. However, the first time I was hugged by a foreigner as a Japanese person, it was just as much of a culture shock as the story above. I don't know about other people though. i understand how he feels
Shaking hands is completely different from licking someone's ear. If a simple handshake scares a Japanese, then the problem is with the Japanese.@@SuperTh0001
That guys has some serious difficulties in socialising, he cannot even look at the girl.
I'm European, but I agree that handshakes can feel really awkward 😅 Your "Nice to meet you" have to sound friendly and genuine, even if someone squished your hand like a stress ball just milliseconds prior
Also you never know what kind of handshake they choose. There are so many different styles nowaydays and if both people involded chose a different style the result is pure awkwardness.
@@Alternatives_Universum Sometimes it goes like:
👋🖐️🖖✌️🤜👍🤚🙌✨😀🤝😀✨
especially when you have sweaty hands😢
"Rather than paying fines, Japanese people live by their character. When they do something wrong, just ask them to do the right thing".....Japan may be one of the only countries in the world where this can happen.
He actually says "Instead of making people pay fines we Japanese, in a way, we live using our hearts. Therefore you should ask them (to do the right thing) with your heart"
That’s a bitter pill to swallow because of what happens to those who pour their heart into the wrong thing. It’s a double edged sword. A gambit more specifically.
japanese abroad are better to befriend than any one in japan.
Japaneses, stop raping, stop raping, japaneses.
I think it doesn't work like that.
pretty much anything we do in japan is ridiculously considered rude , just because we're gaijin. bravo you just discourage us to go to japan. There , they don't care about common human error no they only care about the appearances and cultural differences. even ppl in my aren't so strict.
One of the best experiences I had while in Japan, serving in the United States Navy, we hired a fisherman to help us guard the ship some 200 meters offshore. When it came time for me to stand guard for 6 hours late at night to early morning, I didn't bring anything to eat but he shared a cup of shrimp ramen and we ended up talking at great length. We shared many cultural insights together despite neither one of us being able to speak much of the others language. A highly respectable elder, I felt as if I was getting to know a long lost uncle. Such a simple thing yet I will never forget how kind he was to me.
The reactions to handshakes were hilarious, keep it up Japan! We love you
Who's we?
Japanese people are super kind! It’s been an amazing experience to visit their country!
Even themselves say they are not nice but well behaving. Those are not the same thing.
@@szasza8583haha, I'm Japanese and yes, people have a bad heart because we are human. Of course, there are many bad people here. In Japan, however, it is considered important to try to improve behavior and attitude.
japanese abroad are better to befriend than any one in japan.
@daenackdranils5624The true face and the public face (tatemae) are distinct. Tatemae is how you carry yourself outwardly in public in all manner of daily obligations, work, errands, interactions with neighbors, food service workers, postal officers, traffic guards, police, etc. That "mode" should always be on when outside, regardless of how you're feeling physically or mentally, or what one "going through" in life. It's the face of a mature, cultivated, and considerate man or woman.
The senior gentleman has very good answer to all the questions. He seems to realize a lot of differences between world and Japan, and he seems to balance it well.
I like the Japanese friend replying: 全く同じすっっっっ.... They don't like the desu at the end of the sentence 😂
'We should share Cultures' that's the deepest message, a lot of people don't get that.
The guy at 5:51 was SHOOK even though he knew what was coming, I feel a bit bad for laughing
Holding the door open was a new thing for me in Canada as an intl student.
そもそも【礼儀】というのは礼儀を行う人の問題であって、礼儀を欠かれた人がいたとしてもそのこと自体が本来は問題にならないはずなのです。
『礼儀は知性、知性は礼儀』
「礼儀を欠いている人は知性の無い劣った人」となる訳ですから、本当は自然と皆んな【自分の襟を自分で正す】という事になるはずなんですよね・・・。
I think its rude to spit in public, no matter what country
From Puerto Rico here - this has been very informative and will consider the membership. Thank you!
Even the most trendy people in this video are full of good manners, it just show how great this country is
Japan got panty vending machines. It truly is a great country.
I've been taught that in Western culture, handshakes were used as a greeting but also to show you were unarmed (nothing tucked up the sleeves) and came in peace. If you were to bow instead, you could be armed and trying to conceal that.
In the new, post (?) pandemic Western world, handshakes are not as common with strangers or people you've just met. During the pandemic, elbow touches were ok for an informal greeting with strangers. Otherwise, for a formal meeting, you would wave hello and introduce yourself, or just introduce yourself.
Finally, in the Western world a handshake with a firm grip is a show of interest in meting someone. If your handshake is weak, you might be viewed as disinterested or uncaring, or like you don't want to be present in that situation. But if your grip is ridiculously strong, it can be viewed as a show of dominance which can be insulting. It's mostly expected that men have a strong handshake and women have a firm, but gentle handshake but that's a very traditional mindset based on gender roles.
That's pretty interesting because I heard that bowing in Japan came from samurai culture. It also means "I'm unarmed. You can cut my neck off if you want." We keep bowing in the same manner both before and after the pandemic though.
Because bowing makes more sense in every situation. If you shake hands you can transfer germs to the hand of the other person. Also you don´t know whether the other person touched some dirty things before shaking your hand. Thus, bowing is cleaner. Also it looks more elegant.@@chi694
For the younger generation, fist bump also works
Fist bump is still physical contact. Also I feel like it looks pretentious. Like people wanna show how cool they are when it actually just looks a bit weird.@@TheCarrot85
Good point about the post-pandemic world! I welcome the shift away from shaking hands. 😊 I don’t want to touch you lol
In my country, a firm handshake is a sign of respect. Say for example if you're going to a job interview and you shake your potential new boss his hand... if it's very weak, he might think "oh, this person is not really that interested in the job", while a firm handshake shows enthusiasm. Also, it's important to stand up while shaking hands. Never shake someone's hand from a sitting position. Stand up, look them in the eye and give a firm handshake, is the most respectful way (or so I've been taught).
I've also heard that the nerve endings in your hand go straight to your heart (or something like that). So if you shake hands, you connect to each other heart to heart.
In some European countries, in elder generation there was also a custom that gentlemen, instead of a handshake with a woman, used to kiss a lady's hand (actually, it didn't have to be a real kiss, just a peck or bowing to her hand and pretending to kiss it). It was very common in the past, as a sign of respect to a lady, even in formal situations. Probably the origins of this custom was from the old times of the knights at the royal courts, and so on. Now it's of course considered as really outdated and the younger generations do not do it at all. But still, in my country quite a lot of elder men, like around 70 years old, practice this.
And they looks like creepy old man :')
Its kind of a pitty that those respectful gestures diappeared. In my country in the past the men were also bowing, like 15 degree. It was called ,,Diener". And the women were doing a curtsy, called ,,Knicks". I wish courtesy was still cinsidered a virtue nowadays. Instead machism is taking over and polluting our society.
@@Alternatives_Universum In Wikipedia it is said that what You write about above, these Knicks and Diener, was practiced in Germany or Austria still even up to 1960s. Is it true?
@@MayaTheDecemberGirl Yes, it is still common after a theater or dance perfomance were the male actors bow and the femal do a Knicks. I also do that sometimes, not in a formal way but if somebody i know does something great or funny to pay him respect or as a funny gesture.
@@Hans-Yolo Thanks for explanation. It's interesting.
Super interesting! Thanks for this😊❤️
"Rather than paying fines, Japanese people *live by their character*" That was inspiring actually.
1:34 As a Filipino, I understand where the Japanese are coming from when it comes to punctuality.
Here in the Philippines, we have a concept of “Filipino Time” where people show up in parties, get-togethers, etc. 20 or 30 minutes beyond the supposed appointed time and that it is even socially acceptable given how relaxed we Filipinos are.
If a Filipino goes to Japan, then the “Filipino Time” is a BIG NO NO.
yeah there's something called Indian stretchable time as well 😂
@@yashaswinikrishnan1878 It's likely a southern world thing. South America is also notorious for this.
@@GrapeTesting101 😂
Spanish influence :D
@@Ci-el-ka Not really - in Indonesia and Malaysia, they also have this, which they call "jam karet" - 'rubber time'. This is pretty much a tropical country thing...
That guy who said spitting was rude but there's no need to fine-has such an innocent outlook on humanity.
likely due to how japanese society works. for the most part in japan societal rules play a stronger factor than laws in people's choices in japan, which ends up having negatives in the work place where you can have black companies and such with nobody speaking up
14:15 "Wow! So deep and long-lasting!"
"The longer the better...as deep as you can, as long as you can!"
In Germany it’s not uncommon to hug people you meet at least for younger people. Imagine that if even handshakes are strange or uncomfortable.
I have worked for a Danish company for some years and hugging was a thing there.....took some getting used too.
I'm not sure if that's a Danish thing or really just that company.....they were actually all about doing things their way instead of the usual.....which was actually a very good thing.
As a westerner who has always bowed to people instinctively I have always found firm and strong handshakes extremely irritating because when people do them oftentimes they want to show off their presence, and from my personal experience they tend to lack modesty and courtesy
Same here 😁 I do bow a bit as well as shake hands. I Poland shaking hands is a sign of respect however just like you said. Some people try to squeeze the life of your hand probably to establish their own dominance 🤦♂️ it's so annoying and unnecessary. Could even end with an injury
To this day, I still bow when thanking people, especially my customers.
I'm American, but I lived in Okinawa Japan for three years as a kid and a bunch of their customs are embedded into my brain still.
The guy at 7:22 is not wrong in his opinion about showing confidence and strength/willpower during a handshake.
The older generation often told us that we should have a good, firm handshake because a weak handshake says a lot about how insecure the other person is. Insecurity is a sign of a weak character. If someone signs a contract in a business situation and they shake hands afterwards and the person who signed the contract has a weak handshake, you can assume that they are not fully behind it or are still thinking about everything.
The explanation about how to bow properly was really useful, since I'm going to work in Japan for three months next year. Thank you.
At the time of the interview, I was walking around the entrance of the station and needed directions to find my destination so I asked the person behind the recording for directions, especially since it was my first time in japan, but I wasn't sure how low to bow when I first greeted and thanked them, so I just bowed the same for both and was worried that it came off as wrong. After watching the video, I think I'm much more confident on around how much to bow when I meet people the next time I come back to Japan
The old man looks like a rrally nice person! His answers were also so polite, kind and heartwarming! I hope new japanese generations become someone like him!
The handshakes were hilarious! 😂😂😂 7:31 They say if your grip is loose or you don’t make eye contact during it, your intentions are shady!
i love the little camera dip with the bow at 8:25
interesting.. as for greetings, in my country its also firm handshake. its amusing to hear thoughts of Japanese people on these handshakes. Firm handshake is actually taken in my country as sign I am happy to meet someone and I am serious about it. If my handahake is weak, fast, it means Im not particularly enjoying meeting this person. So in general, handshake should always be firm as good manner.
I always wanted to know shaking hands is rude in Japanese culture.
Not rude, but it's unusuel.
Thank you so much.
It's very weird for them, just like people coming from Anglophone countries find the French weird for kissing on the cheeks (maybe even more for Japanese people)
@@xjmmjbnqfstjdijoj2044even for me who grew up in a country with handshake as greeting, the french one is definitely too much😂. Well in our case we kiss the outer hand instead of cheek, as it's the most polite form of handshake and symbolize obedience and absolute respect from kids to their parents/teachers/people who far older than them
I enjoyed watching this..thank you asian boss
Really cool video topic, something I never thought about was different!
- Very inspiring for topics for my future street-interviews
I'll say that as a general rule in Japan, Japanese people consider those around them more than Western countries. Is more a community focus mentality. Due to this, it is easier to think it as if this is going to bother people around you, then you should make sure to do it with caution to avoid being considered rude. At least, that's what I personally do
German here. After watching too many animes and too many japanese related videos on RUclips I got used to bow down when greeting or thanking literally anybody. Most people don't say anything but I can feel that's it's a little weird to them.
As an American, I’ve always hated handshakes. I’d love for it to leave our culture. I don’t like touching strangers and I don’t like when they touch me. It’s so unnecessary and potentially gross, we don’t know where each other has been.
Lol so you wouldn’t like to be French 😂 I am French and in France you have to do handshake or a kiss when you meet someone
@@anriettecooper6935 nightmare fuel 😭
I’m coming to Japan for a two week vacation in November and can honestly say I can’t wait! How I wish respect for tradition, one’s elders and basic good manners were as prevalent in UK society as they are over there. I admire Japanese culture so very much.❤
It is interesting that they take handshakes as aggressive and threatening when handshakes were introduced as a cultural tradition to show the other person you didn't have weapons and were not threatening.
These young Japanese people are so well-dressed and stylish, love their fresh and fun energy. I'm an old guy, they remind me of my youth.
I wish we used bowing as a greeting in the west rather than hand shakes, I've always hated them. I've noticed in bathrooms that plenty of men don't wash their hands afterwards so it's a pretty unhygienic practice, recently I've just been politely refusing handshakes.
May I ask how you refuse handshakes and have it not seen as rude? I'm genuinely curious as I personally find handshakes rather cumbersome, I do it only if one is extended to me and it always riddles me with anxiety as I have small hands and there's a limit to how firmly I can grasp another's hand, especially a man's hand that is way larger than mine. I have also erroneously squeezed someone's hand (a man, with larger hands than me, so i imagine that was an odd experience for them as well) when his grasp was pretty gentle and comfortable for me, which was quite different from another's I had experienced.
@@fireroum I just lie and say I've been weird about it since covid and try and apologetically laugh it off, which is a good excuse. I'm also not hugely bothered if someone perceives it as rudeness because a) it's completely reasonable to control who touches your body and b) I'm self employed and at a point where I can largely please myself.
@williamnelson2228 Changing that hand shake into a fist bump is a good way to not make yourself look like a dork. Or do something like Namaste or something.
You must be quite good in your field of work to be so insufferable and still retain clients.
No way, I could never bow to a person I'm not humble at all.
Love those cute interview of strangers. Always cool and interresting informations.
Love the voice of the interviewer (idk her name sorry). And the strangers were so wholesome! Keep up
8:29 that dude just killed me 🤣
I'm a US citizen and I'm late if I'm on time. I almost always arrive a little bit early for an appointment (business or social) so I can be there a minute or so early. Otherwise you disrespect the person you're meeting as if their time isn't as valuable as your time.
This is amazing! Can you do one in South Korea too? Would love to see if there's any similarities with Japanese culture.
The older man has such friendly eyes! They're rare.
Some of the reactions when attempting to shake their hand 😂
Great video!
A firm handshake means you mean it. You're sincere. You have nothing to hide. When you touch someone, it makes them real. They're not just a visual.
5:50 bro was flabbergasted
The older man seemed really nice and understanding !
The guy with the piercings seems to be the politest of all. I love it
haha the hand shake segment was interesting to watch!
very interesting. for me, as a french, for whom equality is a fundamental value, bowing is viewed as submitting, and that's quite incompatible with our culture. 🙂
Same for us Greeks. It would seem a little submissive and people would look down on someone bowing since freedom is the core of our culture (our national anthem is literally all about freedom and how it's better to die than lose your freedom) BUT we get it is a cultural difference and when Asians bow we consider it normal.
@@alx_gr1Anthem of my country - it's the same, freedom for which You fight, even at cost of Your life. And that's right that shaking hands is a gesture of equality, not submission.
Japanese people on the other hand have clear hierarchical rules and being humble is seen as virtuous over there. Bowing is seen as polite and it also means that you don't want to prevail or impose yourself over the other person, it is a sign of respect and humility
@@xjmmjbnqfstjdijoj2044 Being humble is for sure better than being proud. But handshake, in our culture, is also to show that we respect someone and do not treat him as someone worse, but someone equal to us. And we don't have such hierarchical rules as in Japan anymore (there were such rules in the past long time ago, or maybe still are only on royal courts that continue to exist in few countries), so that's probably also the difference.
Seriously, I'm not from there, but bowing is seen as like submitting in American culture too. And honestly I could never do it I'm not humble at all.
They were in such a shock while shaking hand i'm curious to se how would they react with an italian double cheek kiss.
I lived in Japan for 3 years, 2 as a missionary, and approached thousands of people on the street and shook their hands. It was obvious that some people had never shaken a hand before, and their hands were completely 'dead fish' so I had to learn to be more gentle than I normally would in the countries I grew up in where shaking hands was more common. Most of the countries I've lived in it's also very common to hug when meeting, or give a kiss of the cheek, even for the first time. I work at an international school and it's interesting to see the south Americans greeting their Japanese friends with hugs and kisses. In the beginning they are so taken aback but gradually get used to it and end up loving it. It's great to see the merging of different cultures and opening of minds to new customs :)
It's sad that you have the dominant ideology of the West. You don't understand Japanese culture. A hug or handshake. Japanese people are forced to follow this standard. I hope that someday you will come to Japan and make an effort to use Japanese etiquette as your standard for the length of your stay.
This info is very handy, thanks to everyone in the video :)
5:50 That guy looked super awkward shaking hands. He’s Super Shy. 😂
nice and informative video, great interviewer
I can definitely see why a firm handshake may be intimidating or awkward to foreigners, even in America handshakes can differ in the south vs the north. In the south, firm handshakes are more like a way of showing friendliness and openness to connecting with a stranger, like you acknowledge them as an equal and can be relaxed with them. A weak handshake usually seems like you’re uncomfortable. Unless it’s a man shaking a lady’s hand, they can start with a gentle shake (some women only give an overhand shake where the man will grab her fingers and give a gentle squeeze as opposed to grabbing at the palm) unless the woman goes in for a firm handshake with eye contact. Any handshake (or lack of) is acceptable. Some may just be more gentle and formal with the person who gives a lighter squeeze, like the elderly especially.
While I did get in trouble a few times, mostly Japanese people were understanding of my mistakes. It’s impossible to do everything perfectly. What’s important is that you’re trying to be respectful.
This was a very interesting video. The older guy with the face mask was so so nice.
Gotta love the older guy, seems such a nice person
the taboo on handshake has 2 reasons: avoiding physical contact with someone you do not know intimately, and hygiene. there is even a small plate in shops everywhere where you put your cash/ card, etc. and where the employee can put the change/receipt, etc.
The guy at 5:48 is pure confusion 😂😂😂
Love what the old man said 10:34… I love Japan…
I was there in Shibuya when you made this interview, I passed by your location, it was just outside Hachiko exit gate of the station.
I like bowing too! I eish we did that here in the states. I think its elegant, less intrusive. It makes more sense to me. Hand shaking for some reason makes me feel more anxiety. We were taught how to shake hands and not shake hands. I feel like we are being judged by our handshake.
The japanese have it right. It would be nice for westerners to adopt bowing instead of handshakes for sanitation sake.
Exactly. We had it in the past actually. It was called "Diener" and "Knicks" in German. The other Western countries had it also probably.
Poor guy 5:49 looks like he will remember this trauma all his life. 💀
"My grandchildren, you would not believe the shocking experience grandpa went through in the fall of 2023. I was approached by a female foreigner for a street interview. At some point during that interview... she shook my hand !" 😰😅
05:50 He thinks he's like Eren holding Histora's hand
I like this interviewer. she is more calm and polite.
I can see some awkwardness when it comes to the shaking hands but they don't seem to be uncomfortable 😅
I mean they are one of USA's closest allies but still
That one guy was clearly uncomfortable, but I suspect he has social issues at baseline. His reaction was unusual even in his explanation in Japanese afterwards
They are awkward because in Japan, touching someone's body can be accused of sexual harassment.
I live in Japan and I am especially careful when I take the train because I could be caught on suspicion of molestation even though I didn't touch the person's body.
So it's understandable that Japanese men are awkward with this kind of contact.
Japanese people have a bigger sense of personal space. It's common knowledge that most Japanese people rarely hug even their own family members forget random strangers.
@@user-qm7jw I think you can relax a little! I don't really think that's likely to happen. As long as you are mindful of personal space that should be enough, and as you probably know, sometimes you're gonna have to get pretty close to people if you're in Tokyo or Osaka. I can't speak for Japanese men, but I would be surprised if this was the thought going through their heads. It is probably just an unfamiliar custom, so a little awkward.
Very interesting! Thank you!
7:27 So it's not rude to handshake but it'll cause a whole anime dialogue goes off in their heads lmao
Lmaoo exactly like you could just see the cogs turning at 5:59
This is so interesting and eye opening.
They guy after shaking hands😵💫
I lived in Japan, and coming back home to the states, I disliked handshakes, loudness and rudeness in the state. I've been back for a year and can't adapt back anymore. I agree with the guy on 7:26
There is an occasional problem with foreign men who abuse Western hugging culture to hug and kiss Japanese women they have met for the first time. Japanese women feel fear. This kind of behavior should never be tolerated.
So satisfying to see good people like this. Thank you