While on the train in Japan, you can often feel that there is a certain atmosphere. People mostly only talk to acquaintances (知り合い). I think it’s not only on trains. It’s especially noticeable when the train gets stopped and delayed and this is why I can compare it.
People in Japan tend to stay focused on their phones (games, videos, facebook, twitter, etc) and I think talking to strangers in public is weird or unnatural for most people. In the UK, and most likely other western countries, especially America, talking to strangers is completely normal and nobody minds it. You can even have a casual chat, without knowing their name!
When trains are delayed or stopped in the UK, at least some people will begin talking to each other and sometimes even make new friends. It’s amazing how people come together in times like that in the UK. But most people don’t realise this characteristic about themselves and take it for granted. It’s probably even more common in the USA. In fact, I know it is.
- Are trains supposed to be quiet and relaxing, or loud ?
- Do you think phones and books affected our social time on trains?
- How do you act on trains?
- What do you think about eating on trains?
- Do you have any unbelievable experience on a train?
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