Kindness in Japan

Recently, I was spoiled by the service and treatment of Japanese businesses.

Let me give you my overall experience there. I walk into any place and the people who work there are so quick to get you seated, even get you an English menu when asked (sometimes not), ask for drinks, and refill them very quickly. Service is awesome here and very courteous and friendly.

There is no tip required at restaurants. I'm not saying I'm stingy, but a tip in Japan implies that the service was poor and that you did not like it. If it were a true tip, you do it very discreetly and tell the server that you meant that the service was spectacular!

Other services, like stores go like this. People help you get your stuff bagged and wrapped up. For example, I bought two "imo croquettes" which resemble a breaded and deep-fried hockey puck stuffed with. They stuck little sauce packets, put them in a little plastic container, put a rubber band around the container, added napkins, and put it in a mini bag for me to take. How awesome! (Back story, my best friend is vegetarian and I had to ask if it were vegetarian.)

Next, the greetings. I love how people bow their heads for everything. I would say, "Arigato!" (thank you!) and bow my head; they would do the same gesture, smile. It was quite fantastic and I enjoyed seeing that and doing it.

As you can see, I have been spoiled and I badly want to go back just for that kind of treatment. Bowing my head was one of my newly developed habits that I'm keeping from Japan.