Under the shame culture Japanese care how others view ownself and might become dishonest to ownself if others are not watching them. This is contrasting to the guilt culture, in which people try to be honest to ownself rather than how others view ownself.
Today I will give you a typical example, which I think indicates the Japan's shame culture.
Terrible manner of bicycle riders has become a social problem in Japan.
In fact, my neighborhood is one of the worst areas for annoying bicycle riders and is sometimes reported by media.
They speed on the sidewalk where a bicycle is prohibited.
 |
| Bicycle Prohibited on Sidewalk |
Mother rides a bicycle with two kids by loosing control but still insists her priority to other walkers for some reason, which is clearly wrong.
 |
| Mother loosing control |
 |
| Using Mobile While Riding |
 |
| Illegal Parking |
But once a rule is clearly set, and other's careful attention becomes paid to own wrong doing, they completely change and improve their doing.
There are still mischievous bicycle riders, particularly among senior people (!); however, manner of many riders have been improved. I think this is because the bad manner of bicycle riders has a social problem and now many people are carefully watching their misconducts (plus riders are now fined and punished.).
Bicycle riders are now behaving as they are riding motor cycles, such as a car or bike, as regulated by laws.
They stop at red light. They get off a bicycle when crossing at the cross walk and push the bicycle. They use the street and if they need to use the sidewalk, they run slowly and carefully to walkers.
I feel happy now with these their improvements.
On the other hand, I'm disappointed that these annoying riders could not voluntary improve themselves but needed others watches, which is really shame.
Follow TA Tokyo
No comments:
Post a Comment