7 Japanese traditions we will never completely understand
When we take a closer look at the Japanese, it's easy to conclude that they're quite unique in their approach to life. Let's have a look at some of the most unique and complicated Japanese traditions.
#1 There are several levels of politeness
When speaking to another person in Japan, a person needs to be aware of the 4 levels of politeness in their speech: respectful, colloquial, humble, and polite. The Japanese know how to respect other people's boundaries: almost every conversation begins with the word "sumimasen" ("excuse me") , which is used to apologize for taking someone's time in advance.
#2 It's a norm to adopt adult men
Since the 13th century, wealthy Japanese families adopt adult men as a way to expand their family trees. This is especially common for couples who have only daughters and want their family business to be run by a male.
#3 In Japan, you can see amazing animals any time you want
Japan stands out when it comes to countries with amazing animals. A trip to the country's urban areas will make you fall hopelessly in love with varying species of pet cats, dogs and birds who live in cafes and shops. And if you're dying to see uncommon animals like red pandas and flying squirrels, you can easily find them in Japan's zoos and conservational areas.
#4 Employees are commonly hired for life
Speak about lifetime job security and the Japanese are right up the leaderboard. Large-scale companies offer job contracts that would last the entire life of an employee until retirement. This is done to motivate employees to work as they understand that their well-being depends on the success of the company they work for.
#5 The law proscribes physical punishment of children
Since the Japanese government approved the law which forbids any corporal punishment of children, parents can no longer do that. This law also applies to social workers.
#6 Japan has more centenarians than any other country of the world
Believe it or not, there are more people older than 100 (over 30,000) in Japan than you would find in any other country. And it didn't happen by chance! The Japanese government's decision to take geriatrics more seriously combined with a continuous improvement in its healthcare for the past 60 years has led to this remarkable achievement.
#7 Unparalleled hospitality
Japanese are well known for their kind gestures, not only to their citizens but also to foreigners. Once a Redditor shared his unforgettable experience at a market in Tokyo. He wouldn't understand why a Japanese insisted on buying his elderly dad an omelet. Comments to his post revealed that it's a normal practice in Japan.
What do you think of these Japanese traditions? Which of them do you like the most? Tell us in the comments!
Let's have more fun and get smarter:
- answer fun trivia questions to test your knowledge;
- learn something new or just laugh with our articles;
- try to ace hundreds of our trivia quizzes.
SHARE this article with your friends for them to learn more about life in Japan!
Interesting Facts
7 little-known facts about Vietnam
4/16/2021
by
Della Moon
Anyone visiting this mysterious country for the first time must be ready for a lot of amazing surprises. Let's have a short virtual trip and learn 7 fun facts about Vietnam.
9 delicious breakfasts from around the globe
4/20/2021
by
Della Moon
Breakfast happens to be the most important meal of the day in many cultures. Let's see what breakfasts look like in different places of the world.
9 unbelievably atmospheric pictures of abandoned structures
4/12/2021
by
Della Moon
These buildings used to be full of people, but now only emptiness and silence are present – which turns out to be incredibly pleasant to look at...
9 pics to immediately make you feel nostalgic
4/14/2021
by
Della Moon
In today’s post, we have images of things you might not even know you miss very much. Prepare to feel nostalgic.
7 weird things that are considered normal in some countries
4/18/2021
by
Della Moon
These 7 bizarre things are considered normal in different parts of the world – from using two passports at the same time to having a personal sauna in the apartment.