Job Discussion Forums

weigookin74 · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 265

"hen na gaijin" I may be less worldy or less Japanesy. What does it mean?

kah5217 · Joined: 29 Sep 2012 Posts: 270 Location: Ibaraki

Weird/creepy/strange foreigner.

Black_Beer_Man · Joined: 26 Mar 2013 Posts: 453 Location: Yokohama

As I look at direction markers on the floors at train station staircases in Kanagawa, some tell you to walk on the right and some tell you to walk on the left.

I have inferred from this that there is no "correct side" to walk on in Japan. This is so weird coming from a country that forces you to wear "indoor shoes" and "bathroom slippers".

I'm stumped.

NihonBound · Joined: 17 Jun 2013 Posts: 10

If in doubt walk straight down the middle.

That would be my initial plan Razz

fluffyhamster · Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 4:32 am Post subject:

"Walk middle, sooner or later get squish just like grape."

Ryks · Joined: 09 Mar 2013 Posts: 25

This thread is a pretty detailed analysis of walking speeds lol! Never would've thought that something like that could be an issue. Guess i'll have to tone down my walking speed one I head to Japan. At this point I was so fast that I probably even scare people in London hahaha

kah5217 · Joined: 29 Sep 2012 Posts: 270 Location: Ibaraki

It's like a dance when you're at the bigger train stations. There were times when I wanted to channel Andre the Giant and scream "EVERYBODY MOOOOOVE!"

Black_Beer_Man · Joined: 26 Mar 2013 Posts: 453 Location: Yokohama

Okay. I finally got the answer regarding which side to walk on. A Japanese friend in Kanagawa told me it is as follows;

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, you should walk on the left. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, you should walk on the right. And on Sundays, it is a free-for-all. You can walk wherever you want. Laughing