During 2008, I signed a small record contract with an Indie Music Label in Yokohama and had the pleasure to perform my first tour in Japan around that time. What I learned then about Japanese culture seemed strange and almost archaic. Now, while living during a pandemic, it makes complete sense to me.
Perhaps Japan, one of the oldest surviving civilizations on the planet (its first settlers came possibly 15,000 years ago), has not only survived its share of pandemics, but also learned from them enough to adopt customs that effectively combat them.
Here are all the customs inherent to Japanese people that seemed strange when I visited, but now seem like remnants of a post-pandemic society:
Bowing…
No kissing like Europeans.
No hugging like Americans.
Not even high fives or fist bumps.
The Japanese did not touch at all, but they were still extremely affectionate in their accepted form of greeting/departing. A longer, deeper bow meant that much more respect or love than a simple head nod.
I saw a young girl recognize my tour manager from across a record store and run full speed right up to him only to stop 5 feet short and bow almost all the way to the ground. It was akin to the biggest hug you ever saw in America.
This custom seemed distant and almost silly, pre-pandemic. Now, as I see friends in safe, outdoor settings and we awkwardly say hi or do a nervous fist bump, I understand how useful it would be to have a universally embraced form of greeting that was both effectively expressive and Covid-safe.
Face masks…
In Japan, I was caught off guard at the airports and walking around Tokyo to see so many face masks – a decade ago! I thought, “are these people horrifically sick? Should I be nervous?”
When I inquired about the custom that was only bothering American me, the response was almost condescending: “They are just sick with a cold or flu and don’t want to spread germs to others. It’s basic consideration.”
Americans seemed to detest the stigma of showing weakness or hiding their face… or maybe they just don’t care about negatively affecting their neighbor?
Whatever the reason for not having this custom pre-pandemic, it would seem the stigma persists as mask-wearing has been a uniquely American political conflict during Covid when it would seem like the easiest way to reduce (not eliminate, mind you) the spread of infection.
Residences Off Limits…
I was surprised when my record label in Yokohama put me up at a hotel instead of staying at a family residence. I was used to sleeping in guest rooms or pull-out couches around the US and UK as a way to save money and also have a sense of “home” or family while abroad. In Ireland, my agent had a guest room that practically felt like mine for how many nights I had stayed there on multiple tours.
But in Japan, residences were sacred and I was not welcome in anyone’s home. I thought it had to do with privacy, but in a Covid world, I wonder if it had more to do with germs. Americans were used to constant visitors from friends and family before the pandemic, but that has drastically changed to be much closer to pre-pandemic Japan with little to no guests now.
Of these 3 Japanese customs, I would be very happy to see bowing and face masks become a permanent part of American life. I would, however, be very sad to lose frequent and numerous guests in my home as that is my most regrettable loss this past year. I miss family and friends visiting, holding my children, singing songs, and sharing a moment of affection in this brief, precarious existence.
Similar Read: It’s Time to Bow