After 15 years in Japan, I don’t get out much anymore, simply because I always feel that no matter where I go, locals go out of their way to create an atmosphere of discomfort around me. I live in a small town, in a small prefecture. So during the summer break, to safe on my electricity bill, I go to the local MacDonald’s to order an iced coffee and read or draw. I notice that, amongst the myriad of weird stuff happening all around me, Japanese people don’t lift chairs but rather drag them across the tiled floor, causing a sound as pleasant as nails on a blackboard. No body flinches or finds it remotely annoying. I haven’t been in public in a while but stuff that I was told is a no-no in Japan is common: loudly blowing their noses, dragging chairs, leaving trays on tables,feet on the chairs, talking loudly etc.
Is the dragging of chairs normal? I don’t know anymore.
14 comments
They say that if you go out meet an asshole, you met an asshole. If everyone you meet is an asshole, you’re the asshole.
To apply this to your case, if locals “create an atmosphere of discomfort” everywhere you go, it means you are uncomfortable around locals everywhere you go.
Since you say you don’t get out much, I suggest trying to get out more. Maybe find situations like a hobby or a club or volunteering where you can have opportunities to speak and interact with the people around you.
The way to have a good life in Japan is to get involved in the local community and make some Japanese friends. If you’ve been isolating yourself for 15 years you’re really missing the good things about Japan.
People in public are annoying. You don’t notice people picking up chairs because they don’t make noise. You only notice the annoying ones.
One of my local 711’s has put tape on the bottom of all of the eat in corner chairs specifically because people drag them and are scratching up the floor.
Wait… you were told specifically that dragging chairs in Japan “is a no-no”? Everything else you mention I have heard of, but no dragging chairs is new to me. Im sorry you feel discomfort when you go outside.
>> I always feel that no matter where I go, locals go out of their way to create an atmosphere of discomfort around me.
This is extremely delusional. If you put some thought into it, you’ll realise that the people around you are just people. And it’s McDonald’s, for gods sake
Work on changing your absurd mindset and your life will improve immeasurably 🙂
Another post making it sound like no other country does whatever op is annoyed with
Yeah, McDonald’s has those noisy metal chairs I think lol Were they teenagers?
Lol I work at McDonald’s and I’m a fucking mega chair-dragger. But I try to do it without making noise if possible. Imo the McDonald’s chairs are oddly balanced and awkward to lift.
It’s a Mac, not the Ritz, what do you expect? Grin and bear it, or find a more upmarket place.
Hahaha! Welcome to the passive aggressive capital of the world.
Japan.
No wait.
Canada is first in this regard.
Japan is 2nd.
I’m not bending over using two hands to awkwardly lift a stanky McDonald’s chair for a few centimeters. No one’s doing it purposely to annoy you. If the sound makes you brew such negative feelings then maybe you have misophonia.
No one goes to a McDonalds for peace and quiet. Sounds like you need to go to a Library
“Locals go out of their way to make me feel uncomfortable”
This says waaay more about OP than it does Japan. Sounds like someone should go home.
Provincial locals have “bad manners” according to urban socialites.
Urban socialites are stuck up prudish peacocks. According to provincial types.
The type of person to end up abroad teaching you how people in Japan are “supposed to act” is more likely to belong to which group?