☆ Confusing customs & rules in Japan

国の間では言葉の壁も大きいですが、
文化の違いも大きな問題となります。
今日はクリスティーナが日本で感じた、
間違えたら大変！な事について書いてくれました。

When foreigners come to Japan one of the first rules
they learn is to be careful when they have a cold.
They are told not to blow their nose in public, because
it is offensive to Japanese people. This can be confusing.
This happened to me when I first arrived in Japan.
I was told by many Japanese people not to blow
my nose in public, 'it's rude' they said. There are also
some companies in Japan that do not allow foreigners
to blow their nose while working with Japanese people.
I was also told that sniffing is ok and not a problem with
Japanese customs. But in my culture, sniffing is very rude!

I have also been instructed not to cross my legs
on the train, because this is not a polite thing to do.
It is the opposite custom in the USA, Australia and Europe.
If a woman doesn't cross her legs in public or during
a job interview in other countries it is rude.

Making slurping noises is not a problem in Japanese
restaurants or in front of Japanese friends. So when
eating noodles it is ok to make the slurping noise.
If this was in other countries, many people would
become very angry and think it was extremely rude.

Sometimes these strange Japanese customs and rules
can be fun for foreigners. They are fun because it gives
foreigners an opportunity to do the opposite custom
they have been taught in their own culture. Foreigners
can behave differently in Japan, which is not normal in
their own country. This is fun because we have more
freedom to experience different customs and rules.
Wow, now I can slurp, sniff and not cross my legs -
it may be strange in western countries,
but it is normal in Japan.

blow ones nose - 洟をかむ
Offensive=無礼な
Rude behavior or rude words, that really make people unhappy, upset or angry.
sniff - 鼻をすする
slurping - 音をたててすする
Extremely=極度に、非常に　Extra or more.