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Q. Aside from the "no hugging" thing, are there any other common Western behaviors that are”real No-Nos” in Japan, things that gaijin like me would be unlikely to realize?12 Things You Should Never Do in JapanAlways Remember These 10 Big No-Nos When You Are in Japan! – Japan InfoHow To Behave In Japan: Essential Japanese Manners And Etiquette12 Things You Should Never Do in JapanShibuya Harajuku Ebisu, Tokyo/OysterIn a country with a unique culture like Japan, visitors can feel daunted by the rules and social norms that regulate public life and interpersonal relations. Foreigners visiting Japan are not expected to be familiar with Japanese etiquette, but knowing a few basics will go a long way in helping you adapt to local customs and avoid making cultural gaffes. If you're planning a trip to Japan, here are a few cultural faux pas you should be aware of.1. Don't break the rules of chopstick etiquette.Rantei at the Kyoto Century Hotel/OysterThe Japanese will be impressed if you're comfortable using chopsticks. But making the following faux pas will definitely raise eyebrows. Never stick your chopsticks vertically in your bowl of rice -- this resembles a funeral ritual. If you need to put them down, always use the chopstick holder next to your plate. Avoid using your chopsticks to pass food to someone else's chopsticks, as this is another taboo. When sharing dishes, use your chopsticks to take the food and put it on your own plate before eating it. And don't rub your chopsticks together – it's rude.2. Don't wear shoes indoors.Entrance at the Ryokan Shimizu/OysterIf you're visiting a Japanese home, your shoes should be immediately removed once you're through the door. “Outdoor” shoes are considered unclean, and for this reason they're replaced with “indoor” slippers at the entrance way. This no-shoe rule also extends to traditional ryoken hotels, some public spaces like temples and shrines, and schools and hospitals. If you see shoes lined up at a doorway or entrance then you can be sure that they must be removed, and usually slippers will be available for you to slip on.Shoes are also a no-no in the areas of restaurants where diners sit on the floor on traditional tatami mats. In this case, slippers are not worn at all -- they could damage the straw matting -- so make sure your socks match and are free of holes!Another important rule is to exchange your “indoor” slippers for the special “toilet” slippers when using the toilet. These are kept at the doorway of the toilet area (which is often separate from the bathroom) specially for this purpose. And don't forget to once again do the switch when leaving the toilet area!3. Don't ignore the queuing system.Kyoto Station Building, Kyoto/OysterThe Japanese love to line up in orderly single file whether they're waiting at a bus stop, on a train platform, or even for the elevator! On platforms at train stations, there are lines on the floor indicating where to stand and wait for your train. When the train arrives, the doors will open exactly in-between the two parallel lines that have been formed by waiting commuters. Needless to say, do wait until passengers have left the train before boarding single file.4. Avoid eating on the go.Vending Machine at the Hotel Wing International Ikebukuro/OysterIn Japan, people don't generally eat or drink on the go. Fast food sold at street stands and stalls is eaten standing up, while drinks bought from the many vending machines available in public places are also consumed immediately and the can or bottle tossed in the recycling bin next to the machine. Similarly, eating or drinking on public transport is considered bad manners, but an exception is made for this on long-distance trains.5. Don't get into a bathtub before showering first.The Japanese Room (Umekoyomi) at the Shiraume/OysterMost Japanese homes have a bathtub that's often already filled with heated water. These are reserved for having a relaxing soak and not for washing the body. This traditional Japanese bathtub called “furo” is often square in shape, and it's smaller yet deeper than a conventional Western tub for this reason. Before slipping into the tub, a thorough scrub is required using a shower or faucet typically located nearby.If visiting a public bath or “onsen”, the same “shower first” rule is de rigueur before entering the communal bath. Other rules apply to the onsen: Bathing suits are not allowed, hair should be tied up to keep it out of the bath water, never let your towel touch the water, and don't swim in the onsen. Also, tattoos are frowned upon in Japan because they're associated with gangs: If you have a tattoo, you may not be allowed to use a public bath.6. Don't blow your nose in public.Ginza, Tokyo/OysterBlowing your nose in public in Japan is considered to be uncouth. Find a bathroom or another private place if you have to attend to a running nose. It's common to see people wearing face masks in public, especially in the winter. This means they have a cold and want to avoid spreading germs and infecting others.7. Don't leave a tip.Manzara Tei Pontocho, Kyoto/OysterUnlike in the U.S. where tipping is mandatory, Japan does not have a tipping culture, and leaving a tip may even be taken as an insult. Service is included in the bill at restaurants, and even taxi drivers will refuse to have a fare rounded off. Leave a few coins on the table and the waiter will surely run after you to return your forgotten change!8. Avoid loud phone conversations while on public transit.tilex/FlickrThe Japanese tend to use their mobile phones discreetly and will keep telephone discussions brief and as quiet as possible when in public. When traveling on public transit, many people are busy using their phones to text, listen to music, watch videos, or read, but telephone calls are very rare. If you have to use your phone in a public area, move to a quiet place with few people around.9. Don't point.Roppongi, Tokyo/OysterPointing at people or things is considered rude in Japan. Instead of using a finger to point at something, the Japanese use a hand to gently wave at what they would like to indicate. When referring to themselves, people will use their forefinger to touch their nose instead of pointing at themselves. It's also considered bad manners to use your chopsticks to point at something.10. Don't pour soy sauce on your rice.Breakfast at the Aura Tachibana/OysterIn Japan, soy sauce is never poured directly on rice. Always pour soy sauce into the small dish provided specially for this and not directly on your rice or other food. Then use your chopsticks to dip the sushi or sashimi in the sauce.11. Avoiding giving and receiving things with one hand.Shibuya Harajuku Ebisu, Tokyo/OysterIn Japan, both hands are always used when giving and receiving things, including small objects like business cards. When paying at a shop or cafe, it's common to place the money on the small tray next to the cash register instead of handing it directly to the cashier.12. Don't serve yourself a drink.Sake Bar Amanogawa at the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo/OysterWhen socializing with friends or colleagues, refill each person's glass once they're empty but not your own, which is considered rude. After you've finished serving your companions they will do the same for you. A bottle is always held with both hands when pouring.Always Remember These 10 Big No-Nos When You Are in Japan! – Japan InfoEvery country has its own taboos, rules, and cultural restrictions. These can differ enormously from nation to nation or between continents. Western societal norms may seem normal to a western person, but seem completely alien to someone from a different part of the world.These stark differences can create something of a culture shock for travelers or expatriates who move to different parts of the world. Indeed, ‘culture shock’ is a researched and written-about process which can be extremely challenging for many people.Japan, as many will profess, is a unique country in terms of its cultural rules and expectations of people in its society. Many visitors from around the world are aware of this fact and are careful to observe some of the customs when they come to Japan. But this can sometimes be a challenge.Japanese people know these unwritten rules because they learn them and pick them up from a young age. Even from elementary school, children in Japan are taught how to follow the many rules and cultural norms in Japan, so that when they signNow adulthood these behaviors are second nature.For foreigners, however, these rules are not necessarily known. Often they need to be explained to visitors. You will often notice that if you do break a ‘rule’ in Japan in public, you may get a few disapproving looks from people. However, before visiting, you could take some time to check out this carefully compiled list of ten things in Japan you should not do.Here are some big no-no’s in Japan, and some fun stories from people who have first-hand experience of them!1. No Touchingjp.fotolia.com/I lived in France for one year before I came to Japan, and I really got used to kissing people on both cheeks or at least hugging when meeting them. I must admit I never did this with Japanese people, even though in Europe they tended to blend in and they would be rather tactile. Therefore, I refrained from being too “touchy” with Japanese people when I moved there.I then lived in Kansai for 4 years, and the people over there, especially in Osaka, tend to have more body contact than people who hail from other places in Japan. You could see teenagers/students gently nudging each other in public, girls holding hands, and friends hugging each other. It was nothing out of ordinary and for a while I did not feel out of place because I thought, “Well, it’s almost like in my country!”.After that, I went to Tokyo and things were a lot different there. I once touched a co-worker on his shoulder (just as I was doing in Osaka, with no consequences) and he just cringed and looked at me like I was a perpetrator!If you think it’s strange for a culture not to involve body contact in day-to-day interactions, think about the difference between our way of greeting a person, and the Japanese way. Western cultures have the handshake as a generally accepted greeting in private as well as professional environments.In other words, in Western cultures, the very first time you meet a person you introduce yourself by a form of body contact. Depending on the country in question, the most common form of greeting another person might be hugging or kissing on the cheeks.Everyone knows the famous bowing procedure in Japan. In order to bow properly, you need to be at least 1 meter away from the other person, and this clearly defines your private space.For sure, in diplomatic exchanges, the Japanese have also taken up the handshake, but the reflex of bowing makes it quite awkward as it results in a bow-handshake greeting. When I witness this, I wonder if the two people are going to collide with each other!Basically, you had better wait until you become really close friends with a person before touching them. If it involuntarily happens, they might understand because you are a foreigner, but they would probably still consider it awkward or unpleasant.2. Chopsticksjp.fotolia.com/Who would think that there are any taboos involving a piece of cutlery? If you go to Japan and choose to eat local cuisine, don’t expect to find anything besides chopsticks on the table. Whether you are an ace at using them or just a beginner, there are a few things you have to remember regarding using chopsticks properly!a. Never bite/lick the chopsticksEven if the food is so delicious that you just want to savour every last bit of it, licking or biting your chopsticks is seen as rude and unacceptable. Japanese society values good hygiene very highly, which could explain this rule.The chopsticks are seen as a tool for eating which allows a separation of one’s hand and one’s mouth, and allows for minimal direct contact and less chance of spreading infection or bacteria.Restaurants and general serviced eating and drinking venues in Japan are known to be extremely hygienic, and you can rest assured that chopsticks are washed and cleaned thoroughly. Despite this, however, be sure not to bite, lick, or suck chopsticks as you are sure to get some looks of disapproval for it!b. Never stick the chopsticks in your riceOh I know, lacquered chopsticks are so slippery and you can barely find a place to put them when you take a break from enjoying the rice. But be mindful, never stick them in the top of the rice bowl. When a person dies they put a bowl of rice near the head of the deceased with a pair of chopsticks stuck in it.The piled up rice put at the head of the dead resembles the old burial tombs from the ages when burial was actually a practice in Japan. The chopsticks (‘hashi’ in Japanese) are the bridge (also ‘hashi’ in Japanese) through which the soul can access heaven. You can understand why sticking your chopsticks in a bowl of rice would make everyone around you cringe.c. Never pass food from your chopsticks to someone else’s chopsticksWe’re still in the funeral area. This is what they do at funerals, but instead of rice they pass the deceased person’s bones after they scoop them from the ashes. They pass the bones from one’s chopsticks to another’s. Just don’t even try to do this with food. It would creep everyone out.3. Using Phones on Trainsjp.fotolia.com/Everyone knows how Japanese are preoccupied with manners, especially on the train or in other public places. There are regular announcements in the train and on the platform regarding how you should behave during your trip, and this includes the use of phones. In some areas, you will hear the announcement to turn off your phones after you board the train, in others just to turn the manner mode on (meaning vibration mode) so that you don’t disturb your fellow companions of travel.This clearly excludes any conversation on the phone while on a train. In my 4 years there I have literally seen only one person (a ‘gyaru’, or fashionable girl) speaking on the phone in public transportation. Texting is also frowned upon, but as long as it’s not making any noise and not bothering the person next to you, no one will scold you for it.One day I was traveling from Nara to Kobe and I was on a local train (by mistake) facing a long journey ahead of me, which made me want to listen to some good music. Five minutes after I had plugged in my earphones there was a conductor telling me that I was rude and asking me to immediately turn off my iPhone music.I looked around a bit disconcerted as all the other passengers were listening to music, but hiding their phones. And then I realized I’m in a phone-free car, and that me showing my iPhone was blatantly stupid. So, take extra care about using your phone on the train/bus. In extreme situations, they can even make you pay a fine.4. Right or Left?jp.fotolia.com/Speaking of trains, Japan is famous for their crazy rush hour. Have you ever thought how such a huge influx of people can make it on time to work when even looking at the crowd ahead of you makes you want to drop it all? Well, that’s because there are certain rules that are respected at all times, and one single person neglecting that rule could cause chaos. And a lot of anger.I’m referring to the etiquette for using the escalator. It’s common sense in all cultures to leave one side of the escalator free so that people in a hurry can walk up/down it. In Tokyo for instance, people would stand on the left side and the right side would be free for people to walk.In Kansai, it’s the other way around. Imagine if you would just be standing on the wrong line (let’s say on the right side while you’re supposed to be on the left). Imagine you just don’t realize it in time and you get a line of angry people behind you, probably blaming you already for their being late to arrive at their workplaceBetter be safe than sorry, and in order not to interfere with the perfect mechanism that allows people to commute so fast and in such a well-organized manner, stand on the left side of the escalator in Tokyo, and on the right in Osaka, Kobe, Nara, and other cities in Kansai. (I still advise you to look around closely and see what local people are doing, because after all, imitation is the only fail-proof way!)5. Tippingjp.fotolia.com/This is another extremely important aspect of Japanese culture. In Western societies, we tend to see tipping as a reward to the nice waiter/waitress who served us a delightful meal. In some cases there are restaurants that clearly specify that service is not included, so you need to pay something extra to the staff.This is not the case in Japan. Waiters and Waitresses wages are always included in the price, whether you are at a restaurant or using a taxi. It is actually considered extremely rude to leave tips for your waitress or waiter, for instance.Most of the time, he/she would probably just run after you thinking that you paid too much and she has to give you the change. The same thing goes for taxi drivers. They will give you the change down to the last yen, and you being like “Nah it’s ok, just keep the change”, would just embarrass your driver.Basically, tipping is not a thing in Japan, which is one very stark difference between here and in the West. Trying to give a tip may be a nice gesture on your part, but it will create confusion and embarrassment for all involved. The best way to show your gratitude is simply to say, ‘arigato’.6. Nose Blowingjp.fotolia.com/The internet is full of images of Japanese people wearing masks whenever they have a cold/have allergies etc. Why do you think they do this? Remember that I said that Japanese culture is very concerned with hygiene? There you have your answer.This focus on good hygiene is exactly why Japanese people should wear masks when they have a cold. It is because they are extremely aware that when they sneeze they may infect you, and besides that, they can catch other germs from the surrounding environment, which due to low immunity would make their cold worse. Smart right?Therefore, if you catch a cold whole in Japan, you know what to do. Buying a pack of masks from the nearest drug store is the first step! But what happens if you sneeze and you need to blow your nose? Or if your nostrils are reenacting the Niagara falls? In both situations, whatever you do, don’t blow your nose in public!It’s considered extremely rude to blow your nose in public, and unhygienic too. It’s basically telling everyone around you “I don’t care, I will infect you all”. The only option you have is to go to the toilet and do it there, in a private cabin, without the fear of infecting anyone else.Alternatively, you could just sniffle if you can’t get to a bathroom quickly when you need to blow your nose. That is perfectly acceptable, even though it might sound a bit disgusting if you keep doing it. (But again it’s no problem for Japanese, as long as you sniffle behind the mask, you will not be frowned upon).7. Eating While Outsidejp.fotolia.com/Eating outside is perhaps one of the unwritten rules in Japan which is the most tolerated. It certainly isn’t against any common regulations and you won’t find this written anywhere. However, it is still seen as taboo in many situations.For example, eating food whilst on public transportation is still frowned upon. The reasons for this include food which might smell and annoy other people, dropping food on the seats or on the floor, and generally disturbing others while munching loudly! You will notice in Japan that trains, stations, and streets are generally extremely clean, and this may go some way to explain why.However, if you do eat while outside and in public, usually you will just be ignored and won’t get told off by anyone else. But if you want to fit in and help keep the streets and public places as clean as possible, it might be a good idea to try to get into the habit of not eating while in public.You will notice probably people standing in front of convenience stores eating their onigiri or sandwich. You would think that they look like they are in a hurry, so why don’t they just walk and eat? Well, it’s because this is a total no-no in Japanese society.So what do you do if you’re really hungry and you have just bought something to eat? It’s perfectly fine if you just stop somewhere, eat it fast, and move on!Note that this doesn’t apply to the Japanese matsuri (festivals) when there are plenty of food stands where you can buy anything from yakisoba noodles to sausages. In this case, it’s perfectly acceptable to eat while walking. Even so, I have noticed that Japanese people will usually still stop in a less crowded area and finish their food, so why not do the same? Anyway, eating and walking is a deadly combo for your stomach!8. Taking Off Your Shoesjp.fotolia.com/Stepping into the living room of a Japanese house with your shoes on will cause an outrage. I’m not exaggerating about this! The owners of the house will likely not be okay with this, and they will find themselves forced to tell you something that in Japan goes without saying: ‘take off your shoes in the hallway’.In American and Western culture it’s perfectly normal to walk around the house with your shoes on. It’s even OK to get on the bed without taking them off. I never really understood how this can be seen as normal, even before I went to Japan, but well, each culture has its own rules and norms!In Japan, it is probably one of the biggest taboos. You go to a Japanese house, they let you in, and at the genkan (the tiny hallway before the main room), you are expected to take your shoes off. Make sure you leave them at the genkan, and with the tips of your shoes facing the exit. It’s just another unspoken rule, but you get used to it really fast if you watch Japanese people doing it. In a few weeks or months, it will become a natural reflex!The same thing applies to most izakaya restaurants. You will notice a lot of shoe boxes near the entrance, and that’s how you know what you are supposed to do, even if there’s no-one around to tell you.You might wonder, why is there all this fuss about shoes? Well, Japanese traditional houses have tatami flooring which has to be cleaned by hand. As you may know, in Japan you will sit on the floor on a zabuton, and the bedding (futon and all) is also placed on the tatami floor.Also, Japanese weather can be really annoying with all the rain and mud, so try to picture that if everyone walks into the house with muddy shoes on and walks over the tatami spreading the dirt, imagine how long it will take to clean it. Also, would you want to sit and sleep on a floor where everyone walked with their shoes on?Now, I’m referring to Japanese traditional rooms, but the tatami flooring created such a culture of keeping houses and floors clean and tidy that it has influenced the mentality and habits of Japanese people. Nowadays, even in the most Western-style apartment, they will still follow this unspoken rule!Come to think of it, it’s not something that we shouldn’t apply in everyday life wherever we are. You can keep your house clean, and at the same time give a break to your feet from being constrained in that pair of shoes for the whole day!That being said, it goes without saying that you can’t wear socks with holes in them. You are literally showing your socks mostly everywhere in Japan, so you should try to keep them clean and presentable!9. Less is More, But Not in Japan!jp.fotolia.com/If you’ve ever read manga or watched anime, what I am going to tell you now will sound crazy. But the world of animation is, after all, fiction, and the rules that apply there don’t necessarily apply in the real world.In Japan, it’s considered extremely provoking and out of place to show your cleavage, your armpits, or your shoulders. No matter how hot it is and no matter how many strap dresses you own, you need to find a solution not to wear them without also covering up.Most Japanese women will choose to wear a t-shirt under their dress and the problem is solved (if you can bear the heat under the layers of clothes!). Also, showing your cleavage will instantly make you the object of attention of every male and female that you come across. Some might be nice and tell you your clothes are inappropriate, some might just stare at you, and might simply assume you like to show off and hold a negative opinion of you!So, what’s the solution? Depending on the environment, a moderate cleavage is considered acceptable. If you’re in a company and the policy is to be as formal as possible, consider covering yourself up to your lower neck. Also, baring your shoulders in a formal environment is a total no-no.On the other hand, it is perfectly acceptable in Japan to wear micro-skirts and super short pants. As strange as this may sound, you can cover your torso up to the neck and leave your legs/back in almost full sight. Of course, it goes without saying, you can’t do that at work. But for school, trips, casual walks, or meetings with friends, it’s not only OK is actually quite normal to wear short skirts and shorts.10. Smokingjp.fotolia.com/This is a bonus if you’re into this kind of thing. Unlike in Western European countries, where smoking in public places (such as restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs) is prohibited, in Japan, the legislation is still more permissive at the moment. This means that there are smoking areas in restaurants, you can smoke freely in most pubs and clubs and can smoke in the many designated areas on the streets.The latter is extremely important if you come from a country where it’s perfectly normal to smoke everywhere. In Japan, you are only allowed to smoke in the specified smoking areas. If you do it anywhere else, you might get a fine or at least get scolded by a police officer (even if you don’t see them they are everywhere).However, there is little to whine about, because generally speaking every konbini (convenience store) has an ashtray in front of their entrance and functions as a smoking area. If there are no convenience stores around, be sure that there are signs to point you to the nearest place where you can smoke!In some ways, this is exactly how Japan keeps their streets clean of cigarette butts, and makes sure that the smoke doesn’t affect the people walking by.This is my list of some of the most important no-nos in Japanese society. You might want to remember these before going to Japan! Some might seem a bit far-fetched but after all, “When in Japan, do as the Japanese do”, right?*Featured Image: jp.fotolia.com/How To Behave In Japan: Essential Japanese Manners And EtiquetteWhen planning to visit Japan you should familiarise yourself with the basic Japanese manners and etiquette. Manners and customs are important in Japan, and even though you are a tourist in the country, you are still expected to follow a few common rules.In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know in order to gain respect in Japan and not insult any of the locals. It is imperative that you follow some basic rules and try to fit in as much as possible. Here is your guide to Japanese manners and etiquette.Table Of ContentsLearn a few basic words in JapaneseIt is impolite to drink or eat on the streetDo not leave your rubbish behindDon't pour your own drink if you are out with othersSharing food with chopsticksDon't point at someone with your chopsticks and do not leave your chopsticks standing upright in your foodPointingNo sugar or creamSlurp awayDon't blow your noseThe best Japanese etiquette: No tippingDon't count the changeDon't be lateDon't stareNo phone calls, pleaseBe quietRespect, Respect, RespectNo shoutingAlways stick to your side of the roadShoes offToilet slippersVisiting a Japanese personGift awayHave a tattoo?Onsen timeHow to batheBow or NodPaying the checkUse the wet towel properlyPut your chopsticks back in their placeDon't drink before saying kanpaiElevator manners and etiquetteBusiness cards with both handsTake the backpack offTaxiKeep smoking at bayFormal WearDon't interrupt peopleNo soy for the riceStick your umbrella in a sleeveHello miso soupCory-san from JapanLearn A Few Basic Words In JapaneseHello - Kon'nichiwaThank you - ArigatōPlease - KudasaiGoodbye - SayōnaraExcuse me - SumimasenTea - OchaYes - HaiNo - ĪeCheers - KanpaiIt Is Impolite To Drink Or Eat On The StreetThis might sound a bit baffling. What if you are hungry or thirsty? Well in Japan, you will find plenty of vending machines, eateries, bars and pubs all around you. You should buy your drink and food and consume it then and there. All vending machines have a bin next to them so you can discard any packaging and empty cans. All street food vendors usually offer a small area for you to eat your food right away. Please don't eat in the subway. When you are on a train, use the foldable tray in front of you. Some night trains will have a dedicated area for eating and drinking. Streets are considered dirty so there are special areas for eating and drinking. This way nobody needs to eat in a public space.Do Not Leave Your Rubbish BehindWhy are there no bins in Japan? Usually, you won't find bins dotted along the streets of Japan. This is not because Japan is dirty, on the contrary: it is the cleanest country I have ever visited. It is common courtesy to simply hold on to your rubbish. I recommend having a plastic bag on you to store your rubbish until you get back to your hotel room. DO NOT litter in Japan. You might come across some bins next to the vending machines as mentioned above. These bins are provided for vending machine users only and not for general use. The housekeeper will empty your bins in your hotel room on a daily basis.Don't Pour Your Own Drink If You Are Out With OthersThis is a quid pro quo, you pour drinks to your friends and they return the favour. In Japan, this is usually done depending on the social status, work relation and so on. The social and corporate hierarchy is difficult to understand by an outsider, hence don't worry too much about it, as you are a honoured guest. However, when I was out with my husband, it was fun to pour each other's drinks.Sharing Food With ChopsticksThis may sound weird, especially if you want to offer your partner a bit of your amazingly delicious Japanese food but please resist and don't pick a piece of sushi from your plate and transfer it to another by using your used chopsticks. Simply use the end of the chopsticks which hasn't touched your mouth. The Japanese are extremely clean and conscious of personal hygiene, hence using the same chopsticks to share food is frown upon.Don't Point At Someone With Your Chopsticks And Do Not Leave Your Chopsticks Standing Upright In Your FoodThere is, of course, an etiquette to follow when you eat out in Japan. If you haven't read this article yet, now it's a good time to learn how to behave in a Japanese restaurant.Don't point with your chopsticks. The same way as you wouldn't point at someone with your steak knife. It would be weird, right?Don't leave your chopsticks upright in your food (especially in your rice) because this symbolises death in Japan.Don't play with your chopsticks. I see people use the chopsticks as drumsticks. This is extremely rude in Japan, please refrain from doing so.Don't move plates around with your chopsticks (you wouldn't do that with your fork or spoon would you?). When picking food from a shared plate, make sure you offer people space as it is not nice for two people to grab from the same dish at the same time.PointingPointing is considered threatening in Japan and it should be avoided. If you ask for directions, people tend to indicate directions with an open hand. They sometimes offer verbal directions without gestures.No Sugar Or CreamThe Japanese green tea is meant to be enjoyed as it is offered to you. Do not add sugar or cream to it. If you do not like such type of tea, simply order water or beer instead. Most establishments offer complimentary green tea and water anyway. You can also come across Hōjicha, a type of Japanese green tea which is roasted in a porcelain pot over charcoal. It tastes delicious and is usually complimentary with your meal.Slurp AwayFeel free to slurp your noodles, this tells the chef you are enjoying your food. In fact, as part of the Japanese manners and etiquette, it is actually not customary to bite your noodles in half. Slurp, slurp, slurp.Don't Blow Your NoseThis one is a bummer if you have a cold. I visited Japan in December and I was unlucky enough to catch a cold during the first few days of my stay.It is against Japanese manners and etiquette to blow your nose in public. Go to the restroom if you need to blow your nose. It can get a little irritating but you get used to it eventually.The Best Japanese Etiquette: No TippingIt is normal to pay at the counter when you finish eating. There is no tipping expected. EVER. Of course, if you really enjoyed your meal, you can buy your chef a glass of sake but leaving money behind is a NO-NO. Read more about how to behave in a Japanese restaurant. If you leave money behind, someone will very likely run after you to give you your money back as they would imagine you forgot them on the table.Don't Count The ChangeIt's normal in Western countries to check if someone gave us the right change, but not in Japan. Japanese people trust one another (no surprise they have some of the lowest levels of crime in the world). Thus, it is considered rude to count your change. It's a form of distrust and it is not appreciated.Don't Be LatePrecision is key in Japan and one must not be late for an appointment. Be it dinner, seeing a doctor, going for an interview or meeting a friend, arriving on time is very important. In fact, in the unlikely event of the train or subway arriving late at its destination, the conductor offers this in writing for the passengers so they have evidence for why they are late for work or school. Pretty amazing, right? You should definitely respect this Japanese manner.Don't StareRespect other peoples' space and try to avoid physical contact. For example, don't pat a Japanese mate on his/her back. Don't stare at people and avoid long eye contact. Japanese people are quite shy.No Phone Calls, PleaseAlthough it is fine to be online, send texts and Instagram, it is impolite to talk on the phone whilst on the public transport. If someone rings you, reject the call, send them a text saying you will call them back as soon as possible. This is one of my favourite things about Japan because I can actually rest on public transport and not listen to Mery's failed work day or David's gossip. Yay for the awesome Japanese right of silence.Be QuietI know you are probably excited about everything you see around you, but try to talk softly and quietly. When we were on our way to Kyoto on the Shinkansen, there was a group of foreign tourists talking very loudly. You could see how uncomfortable and stressed the locals became because of this situation. Please make an effort and be as quiet as you can in Japan. You will notice many neighbourhoods, even downtown Tokyo, whereby you can't hear a thing during the evening. Remember to blend in and keep the conversation to a low volume.Respect, Respect, RespectDon't ever get annoyed if a Japanese person doesn't speak English. Remember, you are in Japan, you should speak Japanese and not expect others to speak your language. Make an effort, gesticulate (nicely), use google translate, and most importantly, be kind and patient. Don't make people feel bad in their own country.No ShoutingIf you need to grab someone's attention, either wave at them or walk to them. You shouldn't shout their name on the street. Silence, quiet and respect in Japan are crucial.Always Stick To Your Side Of The RoadWhen you walk on the street always stick to your side and allow others to pass. I know you are on holiday, wanting to marvel at everything, but others must rush to get to work and cannot be late... remember, the Japanese are never late. Don't be the cause of it. Most pavements, escalators, subway platforms will have signs indicating which side to stick to. Respect this. Ensure you are not walking in the bike lane. Please queue properly for the Shinkansen or subway. You will notice people already queueing so get behind them, but respect personal space. Surely you wouldn't want someone breathing down your neck either. For the Shinkansen, you will notice circles, squares or triangles on the board, alongside numbers. These indicate the positions where you can start queuing.Shoes OffDon't wear any shoes or slippers when walking on a tatami. There are restaurants and museums which will ask you to remove your shoes before entering their establishment. Wear nice and clean socks during your travels to Japan and make sure you adhere to this Japanese etiquette.Toilet SlippersMost hotels, guesthouses and even homes will have toilet slippers. Yes, this is a real thing in Japan. Toilet slippers MUST be used when entering the bathroom. You should NEVER wear the toilet slippers outside of the bathroom. The place where the toilet is considered dirty in Japan. When we were in pursuit of the cherry blossom season last year, we went to a restaurant where I had to take my shoes off, leave them outside and put the toilet slippers on before entering the bathroom. Perfectly common.Visiting A Japanese PersonIt is customary that when you visit a Japanese person you bring some nicely wrapped drink or food to the host.Gift AwayPeople of Japan consider gift giving very important. Gifts usually require an equal or even higher priced item in return. Make sure you don't spend a fortune on a gift just to impress someone as they will have to pay just as much or more to offer you a gift back.Have A Tattoo?If you are planning on experiencing an onsen, you must inform the staff of any tattoos you have. Don't be offended if you are refused entry as tattoos in Japan are usually associated with the Yakuza. Yes, this rule applies even to the smallest, delicate tattoos. Buy a tattoo cover sheet prior to your stay. Alternatively, you can opt-in for a private onsen session, just enquire at the ryokan about this prior to booking your stay.Onsen TimeWhen visiting an onsen you must enter the water naked. It is customary to keep your towel on your head and not allow your hair to touch the water. Most onsens are separated by gender. People sometimes go to public baths to socialise, it's a bit like an English pub without the clothes and the beer. Before entering the hot springs, take your time and clean your whole body in the showers provided. You should absolutely not skip this step as it is rude (and unhygienic) to enter the onsen dirty with outside germs.How To BatheThe Japanese manners and etiquette dictate that you must clean your body before entering a bathtub. Only then you can soak and relax. You exit the bathtub, soap up and rinse. You must make sure no soap touches the water in the bath as it must be kept absolutely crystal clear. After washing, you return to the bathtub and soak once more. At the end, you shouldn't drain the water, but allow the rest of your family members to do exactly the same. If you are the honoured guest, you usually have priority to enter the bath first.Bow Or NodJapanese people greet each other by bowing. You will see that some bow a little whilst others offer a deep bend to the waist. Long and deep bows indicate respect, whilst a shorter bow is informal. Don't bring your hands to the chest when you bow, as this is not a yoga exercise. You are not expected to know the rules of bowing in Japan, however, you will be greeted by a bow when entering a restaurant or shop. It is nice to offer a small nod back to reciprocate the greeting. Shaking hands is very common for business introduction in Japan. Don't bow and shake hands at the same time. It's awkward and weird.Paying The CheckIt is common for friends to split the check. This is common even on a date. If you take clients out for dinner, make sure you cover the check. It is common that people fight to pay the check, but the person who has something to sell should cover the bill. It is unlikely you will get the custom if the customer ends up paying the bill.Use The Wet Towel ProperlyWhen seating down for a meal, you will receive a warm hot towel to clean your hands with. Do not use it to clean your face. You might see middle age Japanese men doing this, but it is considered mildly rude and inappropriate. Clean your hands, then fold it back nicely and leave it on the side.Put Your Chopsticks Back In Their PlaceDid you receive your chopsticks in a paper cover? Once you finished eating, put them back in their paper cover as you found them. This is because the waiter shouldn't have to touch the chopsticks once they've been used. Remember, hygiene first.Don't Drink Before Saying KanpaiKanpai means cheers and drinking before saying cheers is considered undisciplined. When drinking in a group, everyone waits for their drink first, then say kanpai, then drink. It's usually done for the first round, then things are allowed to get a little messier.Elevator Manners And EtiquetteThe person closest to the buttons should operate the elevator doors (selecting floors etc). The person closest to the elevator doors should be the last to get off when they signNow their floor.Business Cards With Both HandsBusiness cards are super important in Japanese culture. When exchanging business cards make sure you receive it with both hands. Inspect it carefully and look appreciative. If you are in a meeting, lay out the business card you receive in front of you.Take The Backpack OffWhen boarding a train or subway, you should take the backpack off your shoulders and carry it in your hands instead.TaxiMost taxi doors in Japan are automatic. This means it opens and closes for you. Please don't attempt to operate the doors yourself as this might make taxi driver upset.Keep Smoking At BayIt is illegal to walk and smoke in some areas, which I think is excellent. Walking and smoking can be viewed as totally irresponsible as you can burn someone by mistake, especially in a crowded area. Thus, you can only smoke at designated outdoor smoking areas. Streets where it is illegal to walk and smoke are clearly marked.Formal WearGoing to the restaurant? Do you have a meeting at the office? Attending a tea ceremony? People in Japan like to dress for success, thus you will see many black suits and formal wear everywhere. In Japan, it is expected that you blend in and not stand out. It's the way the Japanese society works.Don't Interrupt PeopleAvoid interrupting people when they are speaking or thinking about an answer. Japanese don't mind short periods of silence in the middle of the discussion so please be patience.No Soy For The RiceYou know that amazingly delicious sushi called nigiri? The rice part should not be dipped in soy sauce. The correct way of eating the sushi is to dip the fishy side in soy and put the whole nigiri in your mouth. You shouldn't bite it off either.Stick Your Umbrella In A SleeveDon't make people wet with your umbrella, so be careful when entering a subway, train or crowded space. Restaurants and department stores provide a plastic sleeve for your umbrella at the entrance. These are not optional as owners are seriously concerned about making the floor wet and slippery.Hello Miso SoupSoup in Japan is not eaten with a spoon. Pick up the small bowl, and drink.Cory-San From JapanWhen talking to a Japanese person it is best to be polite and add "-san" to the end of their name. This is an essential Japanese manner and etiquette when addressing someone new or in a business environment. When you have friends, it's ok to address them as they are called.

In descending order of importance, if Space management, Workforce quality, Parenting methodologies + Education system do not get overhauled, S’pore’s economic success is bound to rapidly deteriorate.(Edit: I have the solutions for the problems below)Whatever I put in italics are the current challenges. For your googling benefit.This is a long one. Brace yourself.Unlike what the population whitepaper (2013) suggested, our rapidly aging population is NOT the most endangering to our economic sustainability. While it portends a shrinking domestic workforce and customer base, with less workers to support the industries and less customers to sell to, they are not highly relevant to the future economy. Additionally to resolve this through artificial population injection via foreign migrants, may not only NOT alleviate the burden on the younger generations who have to support a larger population of older, less able S’poreans, but exacerbate the issues that will undermine S’pore’s economic success.First of all, a shrinking workforce is not a problem in the future economy. The world is moving away from the industrial era where a small number of decision makers rule conglomerates, assigning jobs with specific scope of work to the masses, much like the workers of a machine line. In recent years, a large number of corporations traditionally thought to be resistant to negative economic impacts have closed shop or downsized through massive retrenchment exercises worldwide, and S’pore is following suit. The way is opening up to a future of numerous smaller-sized, technologically supported companies with a short to medium term life span, with a lean structure comprised of mentally agile and multi-skilled employees whose work roles are less clearly defined. Often skilled, even highly skilled independent workers will be contracted on a project basis.The problem with S’poreans is that their skills are of little relevance to the future’s knowledge-based workforce. If S’poreans do not transform to accommodate future requirements, then the problem of talent shortfall will persist to disrupt businesses’ sustainability. Therefore it is the quality of the workforce that matters, not so much the size.Even with the reasoning that a larger population size will increase the chance of locating quality, if at 5.9 m population mark, just 1.0 m shy of 6.9 m, 96% of employers still state that they face skills shortage, what is the probability of rectifying this problem with an additional 1.0 m population figure? The obvious solution is that S’poreans right here right now have to be the ones to provide the quality seeked. Yet S’poreans ability to transform is also handicapped by the below factors.A shrinking customer base is also not a substantial threat to our economy because the domestic market has never been a major income source. S’pore made its mark through the import/export trade. What counts is our foreign clientele base… although the prognosis is not favourable and it has to do with Cost of Space.Multiple sectors and industries relying on foreign customers have been affected by slowing global demand. Even the only consistently performing one may be hitting a plateau. The tourism sector might have broke records for visitor arrivals and income in 2017, but emerging tourism market segments lauded for their high potential have fizzled out. When hotel rates are 3rd most expensive in Asia Pacific and costly medical services considered, medical tourists flock to regional competitors like Msia and Thailand. (Even S’poreans are going elsewhere). Businesses are also finding it too costly for associates to travel to S’pore, thus threatening the BTMICE segment that accounts for ¼ of our tourism receipts. In 2017, S’pore went up a notch to be the 3rd most expensive place for business travellers in Asia Pacific.The problem with the high cost of space is not isolated. Office rent in the CBD has risen to be more expensive than that of Miami in Florida. Businesses grapple with falling profits and rising overheads. Naturally businesses reduce pay packages as cost-cut measures. Luxurious pay packages for expats a thing of the past. Most on localised paychecks. This affects workforce quality. Foreign manpower expertise shortfall in many industries.With reduced pay, foreign professionals feel the financial strain of living here. S’pore is in the 5th year running as the most expensive city for expats.The Global Schoolhouse project is a dismay when elite foreign institutions took off with some citing high operating costs including that of rent, aggravated by lukewarm student enrolments. S’pore topped the charts for the most expensive place for foreign students, and rent is no doubt a high price for a student to pay.A study in NUS found considerable number of S’poreans bearing the brunt of unaffordable housing as ⅓ of their monthly income goes toward servicing mortgage loans. Income raises lagging behind property price increases is cause for more worry. The burden of meeting housing payments keep S’poreans in fear of losing their jobs, and an unhealthy situation has arised. The need for employers’ approval prevents challenging of the status quo. Long work hours are kept to even when much of it is spent on pointless activities. Longest work week of 44 hours globally. This is one reason for diminished motivation at work. Low workforce productivity. Suggestions for change can lead to longer work hours. Best to just keep to existing standards. SMEs lack innovation, are change resistant. Work is so stressful. Increase in Major Depressive Disorder for the middle-aged and suicides for 20 - 29 years age range. Quality of the workforce affected.Potential entrepreneurs typically fall within the range of marriageable age, face dilemma of self-employment impeding their qualifying for home ownership. Prudent family members including wife-to-be stand in favor of not rocking the boat, strongly influencing one’s final decision. Lack of entrepreneurial instincts.Parents transfer the stress of keeping their rice bowl intact by urging children to study even harder to gain competitive advantage, starting them at younger age, for longer hours. Increase in childhood mental health issues and teenage suicides. Parents are then apprehensive about having more kids who will not only add to expenses but face the similar challenges they went through. Besides there isn’t even time to have sex. Low fertility rate. There isn’t time for spouse as well. Divorce rates increase. Might as well not get married. Less couples tie the knot.As a result of paying the accrued interest on CPF utilised to pay for housing, and not being able to earn CPF interest on the sum used, retirement amount is signNowly reduced. Half the population of 65 - 69 years are in the workforce putting in long hours with no minimum wage… so it couldn’t be that they enjoy working. Moreover life span might have increased but so have the number of years spent in ill health. Increase in aged mental health issues and suicides.The entire life trajectory of a S’porean doesn’t sound enticing.While there are other contributing factors to the above mentioned, they all present one underlying theme - the affordability of space (property/land). Can you see how determining it is of our economic and social well being?Now what then determines the cost of space? The cost of space is fundamentally an issue of availability. Less land/property available equates to higher prices charged. Contrary to popular thought, people are not the country’s only natural resource. Without this piece of land, S’pore as a country wouldn’t even exist. Albeit of an extremely small area of 720 km2, that only makes it more precious. When 13,700 people are placed in every square kilometre [*calculated based on developable areas as per the whitepaper], space utility had better be damn well managed.How is Space managed in S’pore?While there is no doubt that land use is meticulously planned and policies are implemented for the benefit of S’poreans, there are adverse outcomes in areas approached with a reductionist mindset.Example 1.In 2007 - 2011 foreign direct investments led to 50% surge in property prices. Having gone way over the range of affordability for serious home buyers, property cooling measures to curb buyers’ eligibility were introduced in 2011, with the anticipation that falling demand would drive prices down. The interest in the private housing market fizzled out and prices began the descent from 2013 - 2017 dipping by (approx) 12% to its lowest.Then end 2017, prices started to go back up. Same goes for 1st half of 2018. Prices are likely to rise 8 - 10% for the year of 2018.Turns out the cooling measures did not effect a drop in prices for a signNow period.Oh well… no big deal, you think. Actually it is a huge deal.An event that interrupts the top of the supply chain of a sector can cause a ripple effect throughout its ecosystem, subsequently impacting related sectors and industries, then rippling out to the rest. And the property sector has one of the most extensive economic ecosystem. In 2017, 1 in 5 persons or 18.8% in the workforce is directly involved in real estate and construction. Other jobs directly affected include valuers, conveyance lawyers, mortgage bankers, facility managers, architects, engineers and various service providers. Residential property is a major asset class worth $833.5 billion. Mortgages make up about 30% of local banking portfolio. Home ownership is at over 90% of all households with a portion who depend on rental as an income source.When source of income for these people are cut off, other sectors in turn get affected as consumer spending shrinks. With considerable number of people experiencing such, there will be a large enough impact on the economy. While the effects of cooling measures cannot be considered the only contributor to the economic slowdown, it has its reasonable share.The Property sector is the bedrock of the Singapore economy. What came down was much more than the prices of property.This matters.Example 2.As a result of the cooling measures where property transactions hit record lows, continual yearly supply of newly completed homes added to the bulk of unsold and unoccupied units, totaling 32,000+ at its peak in 2017, recording a 10 year high vacancy rate of 8.9%. This is a lot of unused space. The only method to address this is to impose hefty fines on property developers (with foreign directors and almost all of them do) for not selling the units by a certain time frame. To avoid the penalty, some developers buy over those units under a subsidiary.But this is meaningless towards fulfilling the goal of reducing property prices. Nor does it address the vacant and wasted spaces.Example 3.Considering that a large number of new homes have been unoccupied for years, although the vacancy rate has fallen to 8.4% (2018), recent release of government land sales and the redevelopment of en-bloc sites will add another 20,000 units from 20 new residential projects, flooding the market in the near future.Build, then leave empty, then build more… On land scarce, congested Singapore.Example 4.For almost a decade, S’pore’s huge population had the public hospitals plagued with bed shortages even as more and more new facilities were progressively added on to meet the demand. At end 2016 there were 13,931 beds. By 2022, 4 facilities will offer 4,250 beds. By 2030, another facility will be ready. By 2032, 8 new polyclinics will be completed to reduce the load for hospitals. Yet, based on the 6.9 M population, the ratio of hospital bed to 1,000 people only slightly increases from 2.2 (Year 2010) to 2.8 (Year 2030) (approx).So how? Build more?Apart from technology to facilitate timely discharge... to community hospitals and nursing homes (still occupying space), and patients’ homes (sounds good), there other methods of addressing the overcrowding such as preventive care. But the methods are hardly preventive at all. Perhaps time to address the root causes of illnesses? Anyway this is altogether another topic.Public hospitals also faced a backlash from S’poreans for accepting medical tourists when beds are in shortfall. They have had to tone down operations, thus compromising on the knowledge to be acquired from a larger variety of diseases that foreigners can provide. This affects the transitioning to a knowledge based economy.Example 5.The tourism sector may be high performing but hotels functioning at high occupancy is a threat to the tourism business. High demand means high prices and this has already affected certain tourism segments as mentioned above. In 2018, Colliers stated that hotels in S’pore are full almost all the time during peak periods, and especially during Mon to Thurs, and Sat nights. Hotel demand has constantly outstripped hotel room stock since 2011.In 2015, there were 398 hotels and 60,908 rooms. By end 2017, there were 420 hotels with a total of 67,084 rooms. Another 3,372 rooms were in the pipeline. There is a mention of a need to build more.Going forward, how viable is the ‘build more’ approach? Bed capacity is as low and hotel rooms are as filled while remaining land has decreased and cost of space driven up? What about the large number of houses left vacant?S’pore is now the 4th most expensive city in Asia to construct a building. Note ‘city’ and not ‘country’. This means construction costs are more expensive here than many other bustling Asian cities. Costs are then transferred to the end users and the cycle repeats itself, where the high cost of space impacts the decisions of the people which negatively impacts the economy.Workforce quality is influenced by the cost of space as a result of Space Management as I’ve brought up earlier on, and also the Education System. If edu continues to be rigid, linear and tightly guided, the future workforce will not be suitable for the new economy.The education system needs to stop telling people what to think. Let people think for themselves.S’pore is full of textbook specialists - specialists whose know-how is narrowly constrained by the edu system. These specialists will not entertain other schools of thought. They are so enamoured by their elite education, not realising that contemplating opposing ideas can provide wisdom that one lacks. This is Stockholm Syndrome where the victim assumes the kidnapper has saved him from the ills of the world and does not want to believe otherwise.If one’s world is just the fish tank, then the resources one has to draw on solving a problem is limited to the fish tank. True specialisation is trans-disciplinary and objective. For a fair assessment, one must inquire into as many areas as possible, constantly testing one’s convictions. If an oncologist is to treat cancer patients, he must understand the entire scope of how cancer came about and ascertain if chemotherapy is the best solution. If not, he is just a salesman selling chemotherapy spa, which is a highly lucrative job I’ve noticed.The complex economic and social challenges today are caused by reductionist thinking, only considering one aspect, giving little credence to all other related areas.S’porean parents are themselves stressed out by the Cost of Space, and the competitiveness as a result, thus pushing their children to excel. However to do so and within the outdated edu system, is counterproductive. Not only do the children not acquire the right set of skills for the workforce of the future, they are driven to madness. This severely impacts their ability to navigate life.In any case the form of parental care has largely shifted away from the form of care children really needs.Experts aren’t kidding when they state the 1st 8 years of a child’s life is the most crucial. Any disruption in the nurturing process nature has intended have lifelong consequences. Infants need their mothers more than the 1st 3 -4 months of life. Babies are overwhelmed enough in this new world, and is only going to be more confused in the childcare with a ton of other equally confused babies. A domestic helper who is only here temporarily causes emotional destabilisation to the child who has never known separation. Grandparents are good only if the parents themselves have flourished in their care.Desperate for parental love and presence yet unable to adequately communicate, the formative years are disrupted, preventing the build up of a strong foundation that will grant them the confidence to weather storms in their later years. Depression and suicide rates of the young are on the rise in S’pore. A wake up call?What’s the point of an entire nation of emotionally-stunted, mentally unstable and unhappy people? Would you entrust them with acting in the best interests of the economy and the society? Economic success is not just an economic issue. A well-supported social structure is a crucial ingredient for economic sustainability.Now as you can see, resolving the problem of rapidly aging society by increasing the population figure will not only NOT promise to get quality migrants with adequate skills and capabilities, but will definitely add on to the congestion in S’pore and the competition that is driving parents astray. Additionally in the future where the number of jobs will continue to downsize, where there is no need for workforce quantity but quality, more people on this island will increase the burden on the future younger generations, contrary to what the whitepaper suggested.For S’pore not to lose its economic success, these are the points to address. In ascending order of importance: Parental care and the Education system prepares the children for the future. Workforce quality is imminent. Space management is long overdue!And no, I do NOT think it is solely the government to make the changes above. Even if they do make the changes, they can’t do them all at once, and the people need to change the way they view things as well before progress can happen. You see, the government has given a strong support system to facilitate workforce upgrade, but the speed of change is slow because the people are not fully cooperating with the changes due to a ‘stuck’ mentality. They still focus on the negatives of everything in S’pore… A Mindset Change of the people will be a great complement to improvements in social and economic policies, and speed up progress.If only they knew.*Disclaimer, when I refer to S’poreans or People, I do not mean all S’poreans and people of S’pore. I meant majority.EDIT: The following are solutions for these problems,good space management strategies to help lower costs for all the affected parties which solves a lot of problems;Revive Medical tourism, sustain BTMICE segment and Education hub.Facilitate foreign professionals relocation.better ways to locate matching workforce skills and capabilities;supporting parents in caregiving;reducing congestionI am looking for potential business partners for Points 1 to 4. If you are a serious party, please contact me/pm me for simple, creative and well-thought-out solutions, and be ready to open up about your intentions, background and other questions I may have.

I have been living in Canada for 5 years. We were company transferred. Canada is a very VERY expensive place to live. It is also, a country committed to peace and very eco friendly and it has great social programs.Canada is VERY inclusive and tolerant in terms of race, religion, sexual preference, etc.Most people mind their own business and are non confrontational which is not always the best since they tend to be very passive aggressive and are used to a “you get what you get” way of life.Service in hotels and restaurants is generally poor but people do not mind this.Sports at the competitive level are filled with politics and are ran mostly by volunteers, not professional coaches. This can be very frustrating if you come from a competitive country. Canadians are more inclined to fair play (almost too inclined) than winning to a bit of an extreme in my opinion.The medical system works and it is good quality. Canadians are proud of it for the most part. You don’t have a choice for an MRI for example if you wish to have one, but if you NEED one you will be able to have it.Services are super expensive and most people take care of stuff themselves. Lawn, snow removal, home improvement, house cleaning, etc. Canadians are generally very handy.It is a culture that moves far away from consumerism. They use and reuse and re use and reuse and reuse….and reuse. They want to save money on everything. At every level. Everything always comes down to money, getting the best deal,finding a cupon, waiting for the sale. I have never seen anything like this before and I have lived in a few countries around the world.Canadians are more focused on experiences than things. Very outdoor and nature oriented. They appreciate the simple things and you do not see a lot of luxury around. Even in affluent communities in comparison with the US for example where it is all about “having”.It is a place where equality matters and is the expectation.Depending on where you are coming from it can be frustrating that they do not stand for much and they do not like to ruffle any feathers. Very frustrating for people who are problem solvers.Work wise I would consider Canadians conformists. 9 to 5 people and do not ask me for anything extra kind of attitude. At a corporate level it is veey hard to get things done. It is a culture where you don’t just get things done like the US, you have to convince everyone on why they have to do it and what the benefit for them would be as an example. Slow moving.it is an extremely safe place to live. Education is good and free from kindergarten through high school and has relatively affordable higher education. They are way behind in Math and have a “no fail” system which I find ridiculous.People work a lot and wages are not very high. Most people can have a decent job but accumulating wealth is very hard.It is expensive to fly to anywhere in the world and tax deductions are limited. Expect to pay 30% more for most things.Housing is ridiculously expensive more so in the Vancouver and Toronto area.There are many jobs available, just not many high paying jobs. People who immigrate with out transfers, usually end up working at a much lower position than they are qualified for.Having your own business is not as profitable as it would be in other countries.Canadians are always stretching their buck.Winters are long and cold. Too cold.Hockey is awesome and dynamic. People here breathe and bleed hockey.Infrastructure is good. Great public transportation system and improving.Most kids have jobs at 13–14. Even in affluent areas.This is Canada theough my eyes. People may disagree depending on their experience and most of all what you are comparing it to. To the US? To Mexico? To France? To Japan? China? South America?

Yes but I go back to it often. I have several translations. I refer to two of them here.In 1976 Penguin published a new translation of Volume I of Marx’s Capital. In his preface the translator, Ben Fowkes, gives two reasons why he feels a new translation was necessary. First, that the English language has changed since the first English edition, translated by Samuel Moore and Edward Aveling under the supervision of Engels, was published in 1887. Secondly that, with the increased knowledge of Marx’s ideas since 1887, there is no longer any need to shield the reader from some of the more difficult passages which Marx left out, for instance, in the French edition. These, says Fowkes, can be restored despite their difficulty.On the first point Fowkes is undoubtedly right. Today, nearly a hundred years later, the Moore-Aveling translation has become, due to changes in English usage, a bit stilted. The reader’s concentration on the particular point Marx is trying to make is made more difficult by having at the same time to transform certain old-fashioned phrases into their modern equivalents.But the ideas expressed by Marx in Capital ought to be available in as readable a form as possible since they provide a clear explanation of how the working class are exploited under capitalism and of how capitalism can only work to their detriment.Every class-conscious worker should have a go at reading Capital and may be pleasantly surprised to find that the economic theory alternates with historical accounts of the past sufferings and struggles of the working class in Britain.Judged by this standard of making Capital easier to read, Fowkes’ translation by and large succeeds. To give an example of the sort of changes made, we can mention that the words productiveness and labourer have been replaced, in accordance with modern usage, by productivity and worker.In addition, Capital’s subtitle is translated as “A Critique of Political Economy” (instead of as “A Critical Analysis of Capitalist Production”), so making it quite clear that Marx was not simply criticising capitalism but also the categories used by economic theory generally.However, there is one change of Fowkes’ which works in the opposite direction, making understanding more difficult. A key word used by Marx is the verb verwerten and its noun Verwertung. These are everyday German words which mean literally something like “putting to good/profitable/valuable use”.Marx uses them in a special sense, in relation to “value” and “capital”, to mean the use of value or capital in such a way that their size is increased-hence a good or profitable or valuable use.Moore, Aveling and Engels chose to translate Verwertung as “expansion”, “increase” and “augmentation”, so that their English translation speaks of “the expansion of value”, the “self-expansion of capital”, and so on.Fowkes introduces a new word to translate Marx here: valorisation (and, for the verb, valorise). While not denying that it is sometimes necessary to introduce a new word to refer to a new concept, is it really necessary in this case?Valorisation is not an entirely new word since it does already figure in dictionaries; according to the Concise Oxford Dictionary it means “raise or stabilise the value of (a commodity, etc.) by government action”—hardly what Marx meant!But valorisation, in Fowkes’ sense, is a new word, the working out of whose meaning is only going to make the reading and understanding of Capital more, not less, difficult.