This city is so awesome. Even I have been here 4 months ago, I still marvel at how a huge metropolis like Tokyo can be so clean with so much well-maintained infrastructure and the quality of life here is very high indeed!
Its lifestyle is totally different with I experienced in Indonesia, but I might not say it is better than my country, because the way we see is depend on what? ;)
But let me share my *WOW Experience*
1. The Japanese is not smelly
Until now, I haven't found any Japanese who is smelly. In case if there is any bad smell in subway for example, I am pretty sure that he or she is not Japanese. I have proved it! haha
2. Distinguishing trash
Trash disposal according to its kind. Bottles, cans, plastic, paper disposed separately.
3. Toilet
It is not wet in terms of when you're in the restroom. Each small room seems to have its own grand-design. Designed with the concept of dry and completely automatic. Of course this is little bit difficult for me that more familiar with wet toilet like in Indonesia. And it is also difficult for the Muslims, because we'll have to istinjaa (purification, washing) with water.
4. They do not get used to do handshake
Early acquainted with the people of Japan, I always bring my habit while in Indonesia, the thrusting hand as a sign of opening introductions. But they replied with a nod of the head and the body bows. Then I started to follow the movement of my interlocutors.
5. Manners
Pedestrian is a king! haha. I experience it a lot here. When you want to cross the street, seems like you don't need to take care about yourself as long as it's green light for pedestrian, then you can keep walking without seeing to the right side or left side. If there is no traffic light, just keep walking and the car will be waiting for you, is it cool right! Once I wanted to across the street but there was no traffic light, suddenly a bus coming, and keep driving. I looked at weird to bus driver, and he did a nod of the head, I thought he said sorry or maybe it means *thanks for letting me go first* lol.
Crossed the street with the security of knowing the car will not precede the bike. The car will not precede motorcycles, motorcycle succumb to cyclists, and cyclists yield to pedestrians. Yes, the pedestrian is king of the road! ^_^
6. Workaholic
It was funny story for me. On my first day, I was thinking *is there anyone in the office now* because I came 30 minutes earlier before my working hour started. But surprisingly, I found many people already came. I was ashamed of myself that I had thought was coming faster, its means 30 minutes earlier is nothing. Another *WOW experience*, most of my co workers stay longer at the office to finish their task even working hour has ended. One of them told me that he usually goes to the office at least 7.30 am and come back home around 11 pm. Big question in my mind is ''How do they balance their life?'' Will they implement ''work hard party hard?'' ><
Another fact that I see, on Friday, some girls will finish their task earlier than usual. What does it mean? Maybe party or a dating is waiting for them! :))
7. Polite and friendly
The Japanese tend to always say hello to people that they met, even if it's a stranger they do not know. When I enter my office building, the security always says something like greetings. In convenience store, restaurant, or supermarket, I even can not count how many times they say greetings and thank you for its visitor. When I met coworker in the toilet or somewhere, they said something, and the sentence is quite long if I compare with greeting in English which is *hi* or just smiling.
8. Subway
a. Reading habits
Do not be surprised if you come to Tokyo, and in subway most of the passengers both children and adults are reading books, comics, or newspapers (the way they read newspaper in the subway is different : fold the newspaper into four folds). No matter sitting or standing, many of them make use of time in subway to read.
b. Queue culture
They will wait for passengers who would drop out first, they will be queuing up to get into the subway and not pushing each other. I find queue culture everywhere and every time!
c. Priority seats
I've found a boy in the subway, when there was a middle-aged woman standing, he was immediately stood up and let her sit down. I was amazed how could a boy understood what to do!
d. No touching
When I accidentally touched the little girl's hair, she looked odd to me, she tidy up her hair andeven her hair was not mess :))
e. Gadget
In the subway, besides reading and sleeping, they will be busy listening the music, watching a movie, accessing social media or playing a games with their gadget.
9. Coveralls
White shirt is the most common coveralls for men in Tokyo. I don't know why. haha
So far, I might say, Tokyo is the best city that I stay for! I feel Tokyo is wonderful place to stay longer, clean, safe, lots of fun and experiences to be had! :'')
