I know in most cultures it would be considered rude to do something like this.
I have a medical issue and I wear a wig when I’m outdoors. Because I can’t afford a nice wig, I usually wear it with a knit hat or a head scarf overtop to cover it. As a female, would it be rude for me to go into a restaurant or indoor place wearing my knit hat or a headscarf loosely around my head?
I encounter this issue in North America too, I just want to be sure I am not disrespecting anyone and I don’t know enough Japanese to explain the situation (also I’m a bit embarrassed to do so).
6 comments
It’s really down to individuals, and probably not much different from where you’re from. But I’d say you’d have less to stress about than most, in that while most men wouldn’t wear a hat indoors, I’ve seen plenty of women wear knitted hats inside as part of their overall outfit, and it’s not commented on. And moreover, that’s the point – it won’t be commented on.
It is not. Do what you feel you have to do.
I’ve never once seen a Japanese person take off their hat or head covering to go indoors.
A complete aside, but as someone who grew up in one of those cultures where wearing a hat indoors is considered rude, not *once* has anyone been able to give me anything close to a reasonable explanation as to *why* it’s rude.
Short answer: no
Longer answer: I know someone with such a condition living in Japan, and no, she wears a headscarf everywhere.
You’ll probably have less trouble than you would in America. This is the kind of thing for which I can only imagine that you would have trouble going into ultra-orthodox places of worship, but even then I don’t think it’s a thing there. And even in the *very* unlikely event that you did have trouble, if you don’t speak the lingo people tend to give up and leave you alone rather than pushing it.
(You wouldn’t be allowed it in a public bath, that’s actually the one place I can think, because you’re supposed to be naked there lolol)
I’ve talked to Japanese people about this actually. When I told them that it was rude to wear hats indoors in the US they were super shocked. So basically, no. If you’re in Japan where your hat wherever you want (except the onsen 😉