Practices

The Value System

Some values are cultured and nurtured through generations. Both good and bad habits die hard but when the whole nation embarks on a certain value system it can work. In Japan, the public toilets are an indication of their people's attitude towards hygiene and and manners. Not that I have seen a lot of the world, but the rest areas and rest rooms of this nation put Japan above everyone else.

When in Rome, do what the Romans do.

So, visitors to Japan get to experience the pleasure of clean public toilets.

The rest area is spotless. We do not see any garbage anywhere except in the recycling bins where both locals and tourists take concerted effort to make sure the right garbage is dropped into the right bin. Not only is cleanliness highly revered, right thinking comes into place in Japan.

Look at this indigenous practice.

To recycle water used for washing hands.

 The cistern contains recycled water for reuse to flush away human waste.

This is etched in my memory.

Everywhere we went the toilets provide seats that are clean and clear instructions given on how to use them. This is perhaps one of the rarest times that I can actually bring myself to sit on the seat without qualms. Why? They were so clean with no marks of steps on them and you know you can trust them.

 Also, there is a washing mechanism for cleaning after big and small businesses. making it a most hygienic experience. This has caused a challenge to my dear husband for I am suggesting that he place such a feature for our home use. 

Do you notice the baby seat? It is attached to the female toilet. The Japanese are a thinking lot; always making life better for everyone. This is first class mentality for first class people. I also want to be first class people.

 What do I have to say about this?

Bicycles are parked freely without being chained. It can only mean honesty is practiced here . How good it is to be confident that you can go to work on a bicycle, park it somewhere, take the MRT and come back to the same spot to look for it again. Safe and sound.

Look at the sparkling clean lanes. 

Cleanliness is the norm.

No trash, no rubbish bins.

Where we are, there are plenty of bins with litter everywhere.

So, perhaps there should be no bins for garbage.

On the coach we were in, we were all given daily plastic bags to contain whatever garbage we have collected and deposit them in the privacy of our hotel rooms.

Even tourists are not spared.

At Takayama, not only the pristine town was spotlessly clean but the drains are also flushed by streams of clear water running down from the nearby hills. We were truly impressed and one of us even mentioned that the waters are fit for washing clothes. What a drastic difference from the drains back home. This environment can ultimately refine a human's adaption to meaningful living. It is so prim and proper. Teachers love this perception of right behaviour. True to it, there were a few teachers on the trip and all said "it is good". Why can't we have it too?

On this trip, I observed that the locals love to have water features akin to living waters both at places of worship and at home. People would hold the water in their hands and drink them, as if pleading for favour from the gods. Of the many temples visited every one had a feature like this; an indication of spiritual needs.

Another cultural practice  is attaching wooden tablets to lanterns and structures alike which hold wishes and prayers for good fortune, protection, favour in life. Some traced back to decades and it is very interesting to note that the locals are just into it as before.If not mistaken, 

I spotted them at malls too.

People in love have much to ask for in their courtships. This wishing tree coincided with the celebration every 7th July when legend has it that the cowherd meets his fairy from the moon annually. This adds excitement to the air and so it is common to see wishing trees along streets, pavements and malls. The Japanese lovebirds must look forward to this annual affair.

This society has also to vent its hard life with some entertainment too. It is not surprising to see the retirees and even young ones involving themselves in slot machines offering games and gambles.

Peeping through tinted display windows, I saw many glued tightly to the screen for winnings and achievements. This is the only thing seen that I cannot agree to. That also leads me to conclude that there may be many social evils that I could not decipher clearly but that is not surprising. How can only good things happen leaving the unpleasant ones non existent?

But the bigger truth is that the Japanese are a cultured lot with manners unmatched.

Tell me how you feel when they go bowing at every instance for favour and agreement?

 Nihon ga suki desu.