I'm not a city guy, so I guess I had high expectations from what everyone says, and which is why I was probably let down. I'm not saying it's over-rated everywhere, as outside the city limits I was happy. But in Tokyo it's definitely over-rated. Still didn't experience the 'walk you to your destination' some people talk about when I asked directions in the place outside of Tokyo, but I wasn't expecting it anyway so no disappointment there.
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Originally Posted by termogard
Hmmm.....it's rather strange to expect an American-style wide smile from busy japanese salarymen.  |
The businessmen I could understand, but it was everyone, even the casual men and women.
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Originally Posted by dogsbody70
Also one can be suspicious of strangers who approach-- with so much marketing or canvassing on streets, one might want to avoid confronting anyone approaching.
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Yeah, this was something else I suspected. My local city has this, but I still stop for them just in case it's a question.
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Originally Posted by nellie1208
Yes! Japanese people are very kind and polite. And I find them hospitable too. Last time when I went to Japan, maybe that was when I was still a teenager, I encountered many japanese people. And they are all friendly. They are cheerful and do follow their tradition. They are all good!  |
Were the hospitable people you talk about the hotel staff? Because all hotel staff I've encountered all over the world are extremely hospitable. It's their job to be.
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Originally Posted by RickOShay
I think you might be confusing kindness for politeness. Kindness is something that will vary from personality to personality, but politeness is one of the social norms of Japan, and I do not think Japanese politeness is in any way overrated.
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No no, it's definitely the kindness as well as the politeness that's paraded around to tourists. But even so, their actions wouldn't be considered 'polite' either. I would consider only doing the next best thing to ignoring and shunning to be a little impolite.