I live in Japan!

[Hatredcopter]

Yep. Although I should mention you probably won't find those prices in the middle of downtown - generally the karaoke places (U-Style in particular) that are located a bit further away from nightlife districts have great prices. ￥1600 for the room + ￥1700 for the nomihoudai from 6PM to 5AM (this was near Yagoto station in Nagoya). The drink lists aren't skimpy at all, either.

[SSJup81]

Hey everyone. I just had an etiquette question. Is it rude to walk and drink (not necessarily alcoholic, can be a can of soda, or a drink one can get from an outdoor vendor) at the same time? I guess I mean this in a general sense.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by SSJup81

Hey everyone. I just had an etiquette question. Is it rude to walk and drink (not necessarily alcoholic, can be a can of soda, or a drink one can get from an outdoor vendor) at the same time? I guess I mean this in a general sense.

Traditionally, yes, it is considered rude to walk and consume food or drink. Younger than 35 or so do it without thinking about it, but older than 40 probably don't.

[SSJup81]

Originally Posted by MMM

Traditionally, yes, it is considered rude to walk and consume food or drink. Younger than 35 or so do it without thinking about it, but older than 40 probably don't.

Thanks. I knew it was rude to eat and walk, but wasn't sure about drinking and walking.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by SSJup81

Thanks. I knew it was rude to eat and walk, but wasn't sure about drinking and walking.

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.

[Nyororin]

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.

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.

[MMM]

Good point about the garbage cans. I walked around Tokyo for a couple hours with a pocket full of garbage, and didn't see a place to toss it until I got on the platform at a train station.

[Tsuwabuki]

Back up what Nyororin and MMM said.

I often catch my students doing things they shouldn't, and considering their uniforms say SUPERPEACH JHS (not a real name, but a sort of gag on the kanji of the school), I have to scold them.

Should not eat or drink while walking, although I will do it on a hot day with a sports drink or water. With food? Never.

[SaintKat]

I don't think I've seen this question asked yet, so hopefully I'm not repeating an old one:

Can you buy real-estate in Japan if you don't live there or aren't a citizen? If you can, do you have to use it yourself - or can you rent it out?

[atheistwithfaith]

Originally Posted by MMM

Good point about the garbage cans. I walked around Tokyo for a couple hours with a pocket full of garbage, and didn't see a place to toss it until I got on the platform at a train station.

This amused me when I think how its the complete opposite in the UK. It has been years since I ever saw a bin at a train station.