Travel Smart With Advice From Nineteenth Century Japan
There has been a lot of controversy surrounding youtuber Logan Paul and his childhood antics while visiting the beautiful country of Japan. Well, in case you didn’t know, there is a way that you should and shouldn’t act when visiting unfamiliar places. The Japanese have known these rules for hundreds of years.
Back in 1810, Yasumi Roan wrote the best travel guide for Japanese travelers: Ryoko Yojinshu . It was full of tips, tricks and advice that had been collected over the years from fellow travelers, and various scriptures from the past. It was such a great success that the book is still being published today, including an English version called Afoot In Japan , translated by William Scott Wilson . Roan knew the rules of the road and what to do when a guest is away from home.
“You shouldn’t sit back and reach for fruits like Japanese pears, persimmons, citrons and tangerines, which are grown in homes or roadside gardens, no matter how ripe and plentiful. And, of course, you should not mistakenly step on the grains in the village or garden, which are laid out to dry. If people complain about your actions in a foreign sphere, you will not become the best at an argument, whether you are right or wrong. “
It may seem obvious that you shouldn’t take or destroy other people’s food, but the lesson here is not about fruits and grains. Pay attention to the last line. You must be especially careful not to offend others while traveling. Whether you think you’re right or wrong, you won’t look good if the locals don’t like your actions. So maybe don’t run around and stick dead fish and octopus parts into people’s faces to enjoy watching .
“When you meet girls, pigtails or women in a group that crosses your path in the mountains or on a path through the fields, it is best to offer a simple greeting, but not continue useless conversations. … Also, do not mindlessly laugh at the expressions on the faces of people you may meet [on the road]. Know that troubles can start with little things. “
Again, the real lesson here is not how to treat women (in a very different time and culture), but knowing where the line is. Be careful with what you say and what you laugh at, especially if it is because it is something else. Don’t linger, ask harsh questions, criticize, point out, or laugh at people who are different (or do something differently) than you.
“When someone goes to an unfamiliar area, [he discovers that] the different ways of communication and customs will be different. Since the words are different from the place where he lives, he will get used to hearing them and weaned to see what surrounds him. Although he will think these things will be strange, there is no doubt that people [of this unfamiliar area] will think the same of him. It is a mistake not to realize this and laugh at the customs and language of another place. Laughing and rejecting other people’s words or phrases can become a source of quarrel. “
You may think that some unfamiliar food or customs are strange, or you think that people from the country you are visiting are strange, but they probably think the same about you. Laughing or looking down on customs and people in a foreign country is a quick way to get yourself into trouble. And when you really create problems like this, you make everyone look like you don’t look good. Remember, when you travel, you are the unofficial emissary of your homeland.
“Things you shouldn’t stop to watch on the road: fights, quarrels, gambling, go or shogi games, village dances, village sumo matches, a person accidentally killed or a place where someone was killed. Generally speaking, you shouldn’t stop and look at places where a lot of people have gathered. “
I can’t believe people need to say this (looking at you, Logan), but gawking (or recording) accidents, fights, fights, or corpses is rude and disrespectful wherever you are, but especially when you are a guest. Whatever happens, what attracts the crowd, is not your business. Not only were you not involved in the incident, you are not even a citizen eligible to worry. Let the authorities know if necessary, but if not, move on. Now Roan also lists games, dancing, and sumo matches here as things that you shouldn’t look at, but since such things are more considered tourist attractions, you can go ahead and look at them. Just use your head. If you feel uncomfortable or insecure watching something unfold, do not linger and, mercy, do not film it.