Attention！These Behaviors on Trains Really Annoy Japanese People

Image of a Japanese train. (Photo authorized for use by Lü Xuecheng, please do not reproduce without permission)

Japan is one of the countries most frequently visited by Taiwanese tourists, and trains are the most convenient mode of transportation there. But while you’re enjoying your trip, be sure to avoid the following behaviors that can upset locals—after all, when visiting another country, it’s best to steer clear of potential pitfalls to avoid being seen as an unwelcome visitor.

According to Japan’s Trafficnews, the Private Railway Association recently released a ranking of the “Most Annoying Behaviors on Trains in 2017,” based on a survey of 2,419 passengers conducted on the website of the Japan Railway Association from October 1 to November 30.

In the survey, “talking loudly on trains” was the behavior most disliked by Japanese people, marking nine consecutive years at the top of the list. The general sentiment was: it’s “really very annoying!” In second place was “improper sitting posture”—some passengers sit in what might be described as a “very unrestrained” manner, which can affect other nearby passengers. Meanwhile, “placing luggage on adjacent seats” came in third, as travelers with backpacks, for instance, can encroach on others’ space.

The Private Railway Association noted that the “Most Annoying Behaviors” ranking has been held since 1999. The aim of the survey is primarily to encourage more considerate behavior and raise awareness of how actions can affect others. If everyone pays a little more attention, it can lead to a more pleasant commuting experience for all. Taiwanese netizens also chimed in, saying, “This applies to Taiwan too,” “I often see these behaviors on the Taipei Metro,” and “No matter where you are, these things are really unpleasant.”

The top 10 most disliked behaviors on trains in the 2017 survey are as follows:

1st Place. Talking loudly in train cars (33.2%)

2nd Place. Improper sitting posture (31.1%)

3rd Place. Placing personal belongings or luggage on adjacent seats (29.8%)

4th Place. Walking while using a smartphone (29.6%)

5th Place. Blocking doors and disrupting boarding/alighting by ignoring proper order (28.1%)

6th Place. Headphone sound leakage, letting those nearby hear the audio (20.1%)

7th Place. Loud ringtones or noisy phone calls (18.5%)

8th Place. Littering or discarding empty drink cans (16.0%)

9th Place (tie). Smoking inside train cars (15.3%)

9th Place (tie). Riding trains while intoxicated (15.3%)

2017 Ranking of “Most Annoying Behaviors on Trains.” (Image/Screen capture from Trafficnews)