Quote:
Originally Posted by MMM
Several years ago I took a group of HS students to Japan and it was a hot day in Kyoto when we stopped at a vending machine. I said we should drink our drinks and deposit the cans in the recycle bin next to the machine.
One student started walking saying it was a waste of time to stand and drink our cold drinks, but she only made it a few steps before an elderly woman shook her finger and scolded her.
As a foreigner, I try to not bring a lot of negative attention to myself, so I try and not eat and drink on the move.
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This is usually something that is written into high school rules in Japan. It follows along with the uniform rules - you reflect your school, so don`t walk about while eating - it`s considered slovenly.
On a more practical note, there aren`t really many public trash bins. If you are walking around eating or drinking something, chances are you will find yourself without a place to throw away the trash afterward.
You may see young people with drinks while walking, but you`ll never see anyone actually drinking while moving - it`s always while stopped... Carrying a drink then taking a sip while waiting at a light isn`t rare (particularly in the summer) but sipping while strolling is a no-no. And you never see anyone
eating while walking. Not even just carrying food and then taking bites while stopping. I can`t even picture it. Even at festivals where they sell food at stands and don`t provide a place to eat it, anyone other than little kids will find a spot to sit or stand until the food is gone. Families or groups of friends will find a spot that (hopefully) isn`t in the way and stand in a circle eating.