Japan Ranked Worst Country in World for Helping Strangers |

[@Sams1802]

I'll never forget the store clerk that helped me on my first trip to Japan last year. I was lost trying to find the transfer to another line in Ueno station so I went to this kiosk that sold snacks and asked the cashier with my subpar nihongo skills for help. To my surprise, he literally left his station and walked with me across the station to find the line I needed to be at. I've heard stories of the Japanese actually walking you to a place you needed help getting to, but I never thought it would happen to me. Truly grateful for that man and will always remember the hospitality he showed.

[@jefftraboulsy8631]

Goated kiosk man

[@Minty1888]

I was a tourist in the Kansai region last summer, and when I asked Japanese people for help finding things, they were very happy to help me. Japanese people helped in a Family Mart, on the street when I was looking for the entrace to a train station, and on the train when I double checked the train I was on was going to my destination. The main issue was the language barrier and my thick Scottish accent, but with Google translate we got there. I wouldn't say they don't help strangers.

[@Kerokerokeroppipipi]

It's not about helping tourists. The study refers to helping people in general and also factors the amount of humanitarian aid/money donated to charity and possibly even taking in refugees. In these categories, Japan would rank among the lowest in developed countries. This is not something you see on a trip to Japan.

[@Netro1992]

​@@Kerokerokeroppipipi Ah, so the Japanese don't help others using a terrible metric. That makes sense.

[@Kerokerokeroppipipi]

@@Netro1992 what's the alternative? "My 2 week holiday was good so I know everything"?

[@Netro1992]

@@Kerokerokeroppipipi volunteerism, percentage of money spent on assisting the locals, time spent doing public services, or essentially every other metric that actually involves doing things to help people rather than making it about how much tge UN likes you and end up with grape gangs.

[@kristkarapetyan]

The same. I was in several cities in Japan on April and people were happy to help. Especially in Tokyo metro

[@sylvia.s.s.]

Both me and another Latin American friend got in bicycle accidents while we were studying in Japan. She was actually taken to the hospital by a young Japanese couple who saw her holding her arm on the side of the road, it was broken. I was helped by a bunch of kindergarten children who saw me bleeding on the side walk and called the teachers who rushed to help me and call an ambulance, and kept my bicycle safe on the kindergarten until I was able to go get it. And I have lots of other similar stories. Well noted how people united to help for the earthquake in Tohoku! I was in the country during that time and the massive movements to help the people of the region where amazing. So, yeah, that study is incredibly unfair to the Japanese people!

[@kyletempero]

My wife and I just visited Japan for two weeks. Everywhere we were we found people who were very helpful. Some of the best customer service and generosity I have ever experienced.

[@Netro1992]

Without having watched the video yet, I know I keep repeating it on this channel, but it's just that it breaks all the stereotypes for me. Take into account, I am a relatively tall Latino man with a resting angry face. What was my first experience with Japan? I arrived at the airport, looked lost as hell, then proceeded to have a Japanese guy help me reach the my hotel, got invited to dinner, and then got advice of where to best enjoy the city. Every single Japanese person I interacted with has been more or less the same, including but not limited to having an old lady guide me through kyoto gion, and some police man with the worse English in the universe help me figure out why was my shinkansen ticket not working. In general, when I hear people say the Japanese didn't want to help them, I can't help but wonder what did they do to have that happen.

[@willemgroenewegen5934]

Me too, I also have that resting bitchface. Tall broadly built Dutchman with a beard, so I hear ya.

[@robkoper841]

Looking at their reporting, CAFs measurements reward countries with dramatic economic inequality where there are opportunities for the wealthy to shower philanthropy on those unlucky enough to find themselves on the bottom, or that have a large immigrant population, or highly religious - which seem to be strong indicators of scoring highly with CAF. This is why countries like Indonesia, Myanmar, and Kuwait can find themselves high up on the list while being pockets of bewildering economic inequality and/or questionably friendly places to visit.

[@JaniceWithTheTarlovCysts]

CBD has no THC in them, but a lot of people find it useful for pain, particularly neuropathic pain which I have. CBD doesn't work for me, but I definitely feel the benefits of taking low dose THC drops and when I want to really have fun and feel great, I have some amazing "fun puff" that I partake in. I avoid driving for at least 24 hours after the fun puffs: I wish THC and CBD had a DIN # so we could get it free as an Rx.

[@austinwiththehat]

When I went to Japan in 2006 I did a 24 hour trip from Kansai to hakata. I was blown away by how many people helped me. From an elderly lady giving me a rice ball on the sleeper train, to a young girl sitting with me discussing Harry Potter around Hiroshima

[@andybeard3213]

As a bloke in his early 40's that grew up in Essex, I sincerely appreciate Petes gratuitous use of the word 'Bifta' 😂 Takes me right back.

[@roslynluyt7284]

Idk I kinda agree with this. But I’m also very shy and understand why Japanese people are reluctant to talk to strangers because so am I! I can see both sides, having been the tourist being lost at times and the person that is too shy. Also CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive properties, it’s just relaxing. It’s commonly prescribed for anxiety here in Australia!

[@sebastianpena3449]

When I went to Japan last year, i studied japanese for 3 years during quarantine. I was confident enough to speak Japanese with the airport staff just in case i needed help getting around. When I first got off the plane I didn't have wifi so I went to the help desk and the guy and woman working there just brushed me off and didn't bother even trying. I fortunately got the wifi and was lead to the ticket booth by a nice middle eastern business man that was visiting Japan. Once I arrived at my 1st train station to transfer, I never transfered trains before so i wanted to make sure I am not lost. I tried talking to the police/train staff at the window in Japanese, but they brushed me off too. The older man was yelling angrily in Japanese which I assumed was slurs. I managed to find my way to the hotel but still was not a 1st experience i was expecting going to Japan.

[@garygreen5670]

When my son was little we were coming back from a holiday resort somewhere in the countryside (I can't remember the name, but we stayed in a sort of hobbit hut). The coach was crowded and my son got sick, as always, and we weren't sure where to get off for our train. My wife was sitting at the back, and I was somewhere in the middle with my son. Anyway, 2 middle-aged Japanese women (who were not together) took it upon themselves to help us: one of them comforted my son, while the other one spoke to the coach driver to find out which stop we needed to get off at. They went out of their way to help us, and I've never forgotten it.

[@FJGenso]

Pete's Toyota century saga is actually interesting, haha

[@whyisthisathingnow...]

Shinto shrines rake in tonnes of money though 😅😂 Especially when business buy tori gates etc.

[@RadenWA]

That’s the thing, the Japanese does not consider that “charity”. It is transactional, you throw in the coin you get blessing, you buy a Tori and your company will be displayed there. Meanwhile I have no doubt certain other religions that literally tax a percentage of the followers’ earning mark that as “charity” which would boost their stats in this poll…

[@Bigjonmetal]

I've visited Japan and Jamaica in the last two years, Japan to my experience as a Canadian could be considered much more helpful and curtious than anywhere I've ever visited.

[@LtColShingSides]

I've said this before and I'll say it again! How can Japan be considered the rudest to strangers in a world where the French exist?! HOW??? Edit- FFS people, this comment is clearly a joke.

[@garygreen5670]

Ever been to China?

[@Discipline8193]

not rudest, just least likely to interact with another person. And its a survey, so this includes japanese people helping other japanese people. Seems like a place where a vast majority of people just mind their business.

[@Reralex]

I'm not french, but it seems like Paris's reputation has taken over the world's perception of the French as a whole lol

[@TanukiDigital]

@@Reralex I think stereotypes exist for a reason, and there's a lot of truth to this one.

[@petrasbirthdaygoblinhoney4565]

Tbh the french being rude thing feels overblown to me, I’ve only had it happen in Paris and I lived there for two years lmao. In Southern France in particular they’re very friendly

[@Fynal666]

On the second day of my trip to Japan, it rained heavily, making the sidewalks slippery. Unfortunately, I slipped and fell, hitting my face hard on the ground. In the UK, someone would likely have come to my aid or at least asked if I was okay. However, in Japan people didn't want to disturb me in my painful experience, and they simply passed by.

[@spoonfullofpawel]

Part of the helping strangers thing may be the bystander effect. It's a lot easier to ignore an issue when there's a lot of other people around, assuming someone else will intervene. With 30 million people in the Tokyo area, it's pretty easy for the brain to assume the other 29.999 million will help. It's like how in a huge city, few people will probably say hello to you in the street, but if you're alone hiking on a trail in the woods and you run into someone, I find they generally say hello.

[@NectarinoMo]

That's my thought. The population density of Tokyo is twice as high as any other city. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_proper_by_population_density

[@nukeredsen]

I have to say I've found Japan to be one of the BEST countries for helping strangers. I'm slightly disabled, and after being invited to share way too much shōchū by an elderly couple I met by chance by the riverbank in Sakuranomiya in Ōsaka, I was stumbling towards the train station, a little worse for wear, when a concerned woman insisted on helping to to get there safely. I've never forgotten that.

[@MrFfrenchh]

Chris, do a kissaten, them old timey japanese coffee shop. Make a few boothes and have the showa lights and old timey furniture.

[@mhx47]

Stayed in AirBnb that had double gaming PC setup on large desk in Korea for almost a month. Though I mostly used my own laptop wired to 32" screen + keyboard as I really picked that place mostly for great view. Had a blast in there.

[@noxnox7445]

For example, there is a celebrity who personally donated 100 million yen to UNICEF in Gaza due to the war going on right now. This was revealed by recently published data, but no one noticed it for more than half a year. The reason why he didn't publicize it himself is that by announcing that he donated the money himself, it means he did a good thing and wants to be seen as a good person by donating the money. Appealing to the public is often seen as doing something for self-gratification, and this is a charitable activity to help someone else, not an activity to appeal to oneself. Therefore, people who publicize their fundraising or the amount of money they have raised are more likely to be criticized, and those who do not want to be perceived that way often keep their donations private. This is one of the areas where I feel there are differences in culture and Christianity. And since a considerable amount of money is raised in times of disaster, it would be more correct to say that people don't donate to things that don't have a clear purpose.

[@internationalsixty1819]

Just come back from a month in Japan as a tourist. Was wondering around confused in Tokyo Station, a very kind local asked if I needed help and he went out of his way to guide me to the track I was looking for. Great experience.

[@lisapond6226]

My husband and I walked from Mutsu Ekimae Market(Hachinohe) along the coast and finished up in Shirahama only to learn the train wouldn’t come by for another 3 hours. We found a bus that would arrive in an hour so decided to wait. Then a lovely Japanese woman called Yuki spotted us and offered us her help. Fortunately she was heading to Hachinohe to take her daughter to cram school. Saved us money and time. We were exhausted from such a long coastal walk. (Awesome walk btw!!)

[@Taurusus]

In Sapporo a month and a half ago, I partook in some of that famed "Jingisukan" at a cook it yourself kind of hole-in-the-wall situation, and the guy sitting next to me _immediately_ noticed my distress (I had some useful Japanese phrases on hand, but they were asking stuff I wasn't prepared for, plus this was day ~15 of the trip and I was by this point quite mentally drained) and helped me out immensely by making recommendations, translating the bits I was struggling with, and guiding me through the process. Turns out by an astonishing coincidence he'd recognised me from earlier that day when I'd taken myself out to the slopes for a snowboarding stint, and he'd been there with his family (I guess a 6'3" Australian that had reportedly triggered a gossip mill amongst the staff for needing the biggest sizes in everything they had available to rent was somewhat memorable?). I wonder, if asked, would he count that as "helping a stranger" given the generally humble nature of the culture, whereas I can think of a few Westerners whomst'd've ticked the box because they held the door open at the bank a while back.

[@letiziacastiglione2492]

I think the low ranking might be due to the fact that the people that are helpful are always the same 25million people. Some people will go out of their way to help and they will probably help often. But the rest of the population won’t unless they are called upon. So the percentage looks low.

[@Commonsenseisnotcommon8]

I have been watching Mujan’s blogs every day. He’s a beast. And I love his girlfriend the babysitter lol

[@Magius61]

My wife and I found people incredibly helpful on honeymoon in Japan.

[@gronqvist1111]

First time I arrived in Japan, I was taking the train to my hotel in Tokyo. While waiting for the train I wanted to get a drink from a vending machine because it was insanely hot out, but it would not accept my cash. 3 separate people ran up to me and OFFERED me money and would not accept my money as an exchange. They did not try to give me coins, but actual 1000 yen bills! I also one time lost a pin from my backpack in Nakano Broadway and a man ran after me and showed up with it completely out of breath.. For a small pin!! Keep in mind I never asked for help, it was offered to me many times. Japanese people are incredibly kind.

[@haydenkatz8239]

Partner and I were in Nara last week. Coming back to Kyoto, we had done something wrong when ordering tickets, and the gates wouldn't let us out. A lovely mid 20's japanese girl asked in strongly accented english "Do you need help?". With our confirmation, she asked to see our tickets, and then went to a nearby intercom system, communicated with somebody at the other end, and then guided us to a machine to sort out our problem (We apparently needed a standard ticket AND an express ticket, but had only bought the express). Apparently simply standing near the ticket gates - without blocking them of course - and having a dumbfounded expression on one's face is enough to elicit help when needed :)

[@christopherabaddon2311]

Nobita of Japan Reporter covered this topic last year. He found that Japanese people do not help each other, unless it’s a crisis, of course. He even demonstrated by feigning hurt in a busy location.

[@Teetop-cx3oe]

I have had nothing but amazing experiences with local and random people I've met. It might be because I'm always very polite and considerate and try my best to speak in Japanese. I also speak in a very soft voice since I'm very tall and kinda intimidating to see lol

[@Discipline8193]

You definitely seem to be putting quite a bit of effort into making yourself as approachable as humanly possible. Shouldn't being in need be enough?

[@Teetop-cx3oe]

@@Discipline8193 i mean yes, but it doesn't hurt to be extra kind and considerate :)

[@Discipline8193]

@@Teetop-cx3oe Very true! I try my best to be the same. Im curious how situations of mental deterioration or panic attacks are responded to. Cases where respectability and grace is impossible.

[@g76agi]

@@Discipline8193 would you rather help a nice, friendly looking person that came up to you for help, or a disheveled, drug addict looking dirty person that shouts?

[@awesomeadamfrom2099]

Awesome job Chris with the podcast drop a like.

[@Discipline8193]

Certainly feels exaggerated, but to rank last? There must be a shred of truth to that.

[@kiddkunaiskunkmoney1436]

cbd has no psychoactive effects, so there's no high with it, but it does have certain relaxing and other properties

[@Patrick-y4d1z]

If it has no psychoactive effect, how can it have "relaxing properties"?

[@Reralex]

​@@Patrick-y4d1z because it's an inhibitor drug surely

[@mikeymoose7253]

@@Patrick-y4d1ztechnically it isn’t intoxicating; but it can have minor psychoactive effects. Mixing it with other canabaloids is the way to go.

[@Stephen-up3sd]

@@Patrick-y4d1z Psychoactive refers to the brain or mind - joints, muscles etc are not part of the same physiological system.

[@Padlock_Steve]

@@Patrick-y4d1z it blocks "angry chemicals" in ya brain

[@chrisw125]

Medical Cannabis is legal in the UK since 2018 - it requires that you have have tried two previous treatments/therapies.

[@cinaralin]

I've admittedly only been to 4 foreign countries but Japan is the only one I've been offered help in. I didn't want or need help but a kind middle-aged Japanese person tried their best to help me anyways.

[@TonyYeungUsually]

I have an opposite experience in Tokyo. I met some of the most friendliest Japanese people I have ever met. They were willing to help me and making me laugh. I felt like I am a human again when I was in Tokyo

[@DMArts88]

Chris imitating an Aussie or NZ accent is hilarious 😂

[@davemei83]

I've found that Japanese strangers mostly keep to themselves and will make an effort to keep to themselves. However, when you do get someone to help you, they are extremely, if not overly, helpful.

[@Stephen-up3sd]

I consider myself well travelled and I can honestly say that based on my experience the Japanese are the the most helpful people as far as tourists are concerned. I have been approached numerous times with people offering to help me with ticket machines, metro maps, directions etc - perhaps it is because I look confused a lot! On the other hand I have noticed that the Japanese seem reluctant to help other Japanese. On my first trip to Japan in 2009 I was on the Shinkansen when a very elderly Japanese couple got on the train with a large and heavy suitcase. Neither was much over 5 feet tall and the man had his arm in a sling. They were struggling to lift their luggage up to the over head storage rack while all the Japanese on the train purposely ignored them. I watched for a minute while no one helped and then walked the length of the carriage to assist. They were very grateful. I helped them take their luggage down when they got off and they gave me a key ring to thank me for helping them. Likewise on numerous occasions I have stood up to offer the elderly and on one occasion a heavily pregnant women my seat when on crowded buses and trains while the Japanese passengers ignored the issue. Strange.

[@RMelo263]

It's NOT about tourists.

[@tomorrowlad]

Egypt is far worse. In my visit to Japan, anyone I asked for help at least tried. Several people did without me asking as well.

[@Patrick-y4d1z]

Honestly, and of those types of countries would be far worse of an experience to tourists.

[@MashaB-pk8hl]

My husband goes out of his way to help strangers partly because our city has a reputation for being cold and unhelpful.

[@wrx2002subaru]

I do find that survey results surprising last time I traveled there I had multiple memorable times I was help by strangers who approached me definitely haven’t experienced that in any other country I’ve traveled

[@sakurapanda7698]

Hello Chris and Pete, me and my husband just went on our first Japan trip last February and it was so much fun! One of my favorite parts was when we went to Chiba to a fertility shrine called Owashi Shrine. I know a bit of Japanese so I was able to talk to the old man selling omiyage there and he was very insistent at first that I should buy a woman fertility charm and after denying it a few times he was like ohhhh and tried offering the male fertility charm to my husband who was none the wiser and was 100% confused which I thought was funny, he ended up buying it and we bought a few more things, my favorite being a piece of paper that the old man showed me if you folded a certain way it would show a new image of well.. male and female parts ig you could say. It was interesting to say the least. Anyways, I was wondering, are there any small interesting spots like this that you would recommend near Tokyo for a day trip? Anyways, I'm a long time fan of the podcast and KZbin channel! P.s I also wanted to add that I stopped by Sharla's Neko Neko Inn and loved her adorable gachapon machine!

[@deptofcarstereorepair]

LOL that Joey impression!!

[@ericng5707]

Willingness to help lost gaijin tourists does not equate to willingness to help their own citizens. The Japanese news recently covered a story where an elementary school kid who was riding the bus home from school was short 80 yen for his fare but none of the other passengers on the bus stepped in to help and the kid ended up walking two hours to get home.

[@pyronation111]

Steve if you want good local sushi in Pittsburgh go to Andy's sushi in the fish market thats located in the market district. His mango salmon is to sin for.

[@leastselfawarepotassium]

Before even watching the episode the title is hilarious.

[@drucifer00]

I just saw Chris open a bottle of water and the top came right off. Over here now, the top is attached by plastic strands to the neck so you have to manipulate you nose around the lid.

[@MashaB-pk8hl]

Supposedly the plastic thread is to help you not lose the cap. I agree that it is more of a nuisance.

[@Stephen-up3sd]

EU rules I’m afraid!

[@blortbugman8722]

We have them in Britain now too and we aren't in the EU anymore. ​@@Stephen-up3sd

[@Stephen-up3sd]

@@blortbugman8722 Yeah, but where does the mineral water come from? Have you ever noticed that Evian is naive spelt backwards?😂

[@doughbunz]

My first trip to Japan there were 4 different occasions when people came up and helped me find my way. Each time I was staring at a subway map trying to figure out which way I needed to go. On my second trip, the locals of Osaka and Kyoto would strike up conversation with me a few times as we were shopping or waiting in line for a restaurant. On my third trip a Japanese man was upset with me for how I was storing my luggage on the Shinkansen but a Japanese couple that was nearby came to deescalate the man and help me.

[@BeardedNerdSE]

I think japanese people are anecdotally very helpful towards foreigners but maybe not in their general life, and unless you live in Tokyo you won't meet that many foreigners to begin with. On my first visit back in 2001, I got a lot of help including an old lady who walked me halfway across Namba station in Osaka to find a cash machine, and some employee in a hotel lobby who drew me a map to find an internet cafe. On later visits I had friends along, not to mention smartphones, so there wasn't as much need, and I think it was mostly service staff that went above and beyond to be helpful.

[@user-zp4ge3yp2o]

Maybe they're more likely to help foreigners just for the novelty of meeting someone unusual.

[@DaDudeb]

This survey is inaccurate. I went though Shibuya, wearing in ears. I've lost the lens cap of my camera for the 12th time or so within a group of ca 267,35 people. Somebody picked it up and ran after me while somebody else was making me aware of said person. Literally half of Japan teamed up to help me!

[@drarsen33]

Doing charity is not what people think when you say "Helping strangers". But what I noticed during my trip is that they almost never give up their seats in public transport to elderly.

[@clarelear129]

Japan frequently makes donations to Taiwan after earthquakes. Govt as well as private.

[@Discipline8193]

Wait, 79% of everyone who was surveyed voluntarily said they hadn't helped ANY stranger in the last MONTH?! 30 days? Thats a little wild... Even being born in NY, I don't think i could imagine having that answer.

[@_Ekaros]

Maybe there is different standards what is considered as help. Or maybe everyone else is just massive liars...

[@Discipline8193]

⁠@@_Ekaroscertainly. Its a survey, so its based on their responses and interpretation of the question. Conclusions drawn from it should stay pretty close to premise. My only conclusion is “Most japanese folk can’t remember genuinely helping out a stranger in the last month”. Thats it. A country can still be very friendly to tourists, while still having this be true.

[@redfish337]

Lots of other countries will help strangers. They'll help you read a map and figure out where to go... while their buddy is in your backpack. They'll help you pick up that stuff you dropped, because they bumped into you on purpose and oh hey look, where's your wallet!? And yes, lots of people will legitimately help you in those countries. But do you even want help when those things are around? If I'm lost in Barcelona I don't want help, I want a 5 meter wide DMZ in all directions while I figure out where to go. And now that every pickpocket in a 100 meter radius has noticed me, let me move my valuables to inside my underwear.

[@MrMBinder]

Helping strangers? That probably requires interaction with strangers. And why would you, unless they specifically ask? Everyone has their own smart device of some sort while they're out and about, so they can look up whatever they need when they need it or plan in advance. Chris makes some excellent points, I think. How is the tax deduction when it comes to charity in Japan? I think that's part of the reason why people do it where I live 😅

[@nervenjere]

I think they never visited vienna... Compared to my hometown, everyone here is super helpfull in Japan

[@wileyumstead9236]

There are two types of society in Japan. Asking for help to go to a place and trying to ask for food. Go to a restaurant and you do not speak enough Japanese to order from the menu will. And asking for a place or were something is. Food you need to be able to order in Japanese and yes even in the 70's there was display dishes in the front of the restaurant. Ask for a place and you will have a person walk you to that place. You are expected to order in Japanese, you will be hand walked to the place you would like to go.

[@ashwhiz]

Surely the air con can’t be that loud on the mic 😮

[@linuxman7777]

I learned this from a Japanese friend of mine, that the Japanese are less likely to donate money to the homeless. So the Beggars are more likely to approach Americans as they know Americans are far more generous than Japanese as well as Europeans and other Asians. I had a beggar in Okinawa ask for money and I gave 2000 yen as I felt bad for him. However I guess Japanese would not have given.

[@qtdcanada]

My personal experience visiting Japan is that Japanese are willing to help, if they see a foreigner needs help. At the same time, most Japanese will reactively step back if a foreigner comes towards them suddenly. Japanese people, by nature, are reserve and mind their own business, believing strongly not to be a burden to anyone else. If a drunk foreigner passed out in the street, expecting help to get back to the hotel, then such help likely will not be there, for this reason. The survey seems to be selective/biased and unscientific. When there are natural disasters around the world, Japan has always been one of the first countries to send aid & assistance. For many years, Japan has given a disproportionately larger share (for its GDP) to international organizations such as WHO, UNHCR, etc. There seems to be a (orchestrated?) movement designed to criticize/attack Japan, knowing that Japan has been reluctant to speak up and forcefully defend itself.

[@Alexwhatisit]

5:44 this reminds me of years ago when I dated a Japanese girl who was on vacation to California. First thing she wanted to do was smoke weed. 😂

[@RMelo263]

People commenting don't understand it at all. IT'S NOT ABOUT HELPING TOURISTS. Please, my eyes are burning

[@whiteberry8785]

I've always been treated well in Japan, but maybe thats just me being lucky on my trips there lately.

[@weehongliang5210]

True Gs watch Chris Broad and stay for the accents

[@uss_04]

It’s always interesting to see the KZbin “podcast” following the sound only. Hello again

[@uss_04]

As someone in their 30’s attending college and trying to learn Japanese you woundn’t think the age gap is that much but after a while it does weigh on you

[@NaNa_W4NT5_F3MNM5]

13:39, was that a George Carlin reference?

[@jonathan-utter]

This is probably the best way of actually being in Japan without learning about life in Japan!

[@jefftraboulsy8631]

😑

[@sketcharmslong6289]

Biftas 😂 Pete's had a chequered past

[@abh4316]

In 2019. I got all the help I wanted in Tokyo and Osaka. But Kyoto they were rude. I only had one incident in Tokyo. I entered family mart asking for the SIM cards for internet date from the company called ninja. The shop keeper shouted. Not spoke. Shouted. I don’t know. I don’t know. No no. You go out. Out. Pointing at the door. Next day I reported him. The people at my hotel peninsula where kind enough to take me back to family mart with the hotel car and explain to the mart the situation. I couldn’t even purchase as well so they did the needful.

[@ls.c.5682]

Most important question is: Where does Chris get massive burritos?

[@キャサリン1]

I doubt this is really representative info. One, with self-reporting, perhaps a lot of people don't consider a lot of helpful things they do as being "helping others." Also, with overwork being so widespread, volunteer work is less feasible compared to people in other countries. Additionally, they pay relatively high taxes and also generally view that the government is responsible for a lot of things that charities would mostly do in other counties. They have a decent social safety net for those willing to use it. I also doubt many of the self-reporting people would count supporting their friends and family or close elderly people as "helping others."

[@MilanDavidovic-rj7sd]

alternate title: Dusty Ramen Breeze

[@MilanDavidovic-rj7sd]

(or perhaps that could be the house cocktail for his studio)

[@jazznik2]

Japan ranking last in helping strangers is absolutely ridiculous. They will go out of their way to help tourists. They dont speak much English but they dont let this stop them from trying to help. In fact, I got the impression that it is an unwritten rule of Japanese customs that you're supposed to help tourists. This aspect of Japan is one of the reasons I consider Japan one of the best countries for a Western tourist to visit.

[@Discipline8193]

I'm pretty sure the study isn't specifically for tourist. It ask respondents how many of them have helped ANY stranger recently. It's likely that while every tourists experiences some help (a relatively small group of anecdotal experiences), its possible its not common to help fellow strangers/citizens often. Combine that with charity not being a thing, and how huge the population is, it makes more sense. A country can be an excellent place for tourists to visit, while still not being a very communal place. I don't mean to know more than anyone, just that these things are not mutually exclusive.

[@street1111]

Ppl who went to Japan and all of them are still talking about how friendly and helpful the Japanese ppl were

[@whyidontwant2723]

Cannabis has THC and CBD. THC gets you high whereas CBD helps with medical issues and does not get you high. CBD and THC can be separated that is why CBD is legal in places where cannabis isn't.

[@doriansnape]

best country for helping strangers

[@bitfreakazoid]

The fact that this organization even exists is weird. I'm sure it's not scammy at all... Oh look, they have their own bank.

[@klm20079]

CBD i more for pains / relax. But people think it will do the same slow/laughing/red eyes/sleepy/hungry THC.

[@punchpineapple]

If Japanese people are more likely to help tourists than each other, maybe Japanese people aren't ASKING for help from each other in the same way that tourists are (or look as though they need help, like I must have when I visited). That would skew the results - if they help when asked but prefer not to ask each other.

[@ProDoucher]

Haven’t heard about Reagan in a long time. Last I saw he was living in a van

[@saltycross]

💜💜💜

[@MarcUK]

That poll seems very flawed to me, did they just ask 100 people and then scale upwards?

[@dayla8634]

Sure Japanese will help a people if they ask for help, especially tourists, but I've seen elderly need help and no body cares. I remember driving in Kyoto once and an old lady some how fell of her bike on a busy sidewalk. Not one person helped her.

[@user-zp4ge3yp2o]

I imagine like anywhere else it depends where in the country you are.

[@millennialchicken]

Anyone else hearing sound effects throughout this episode?

[@lyndylou752]

Japan is very much like Australia when it comes to providing money, generally speaking only when a need arises ie the last earthquake, and I also believe that the Japanese people are feeling the lowered value of the Yen so therefore have very little in disposable income. If you read that report it is highly prejudicial towards certain countries and therefore is not a true representation of anyone.

[@mle7231]

careful, sushizanmai isn't that great in dotonbori, osaka. It was pricey, and the fish was so-so. I had a better time at kura, a really good conveyor belt sushi.

[@adamlee2550]

Japanese people can be too helpful. I had a woman insist on helping me to use the 7 eleven iced coffee machine even though I knew how. I couldn't tell her to stop lol

[@Bloodworia]

I do think Japan is probably the best in the world to help strangers

[@mickeyiael9013]

👍👍

[@yumibelle_j]

I don't think Japan is strong in an organizational way to helping strangers unless it's a massive catastrophe like a tsunami. In the West, religious organizations help because it is part of a culture as charitable institutions. But on an individual basis, it probably just depends on the individual. If you look approachable or the Japanese person has had some experience being overseas, or is by nature more friendly and self-confident or nurturing they will go out of their way to help. I wonder if the Japanese help tourists more than their own strangers because the chances of your paths crossing after is unlikely whereas with a fellow Japanese, it could be a lot of mendokusai, I mean the word literally is made of 2 words, bothersome and stinks. If you find the stranger is not so much a stranger as you first thought, things can get awkward real fast and you might find yourself obligated to help beyond your original offer when it's a local.

[@AbiyBattleSpell]

some people do have germaphobia maby the old man was scared 🐱

[@ItsBAndBees]

God it sounds like if anyone could use a fat J, it’d be the Japanese lol

[@wadoryujh]

If you get some actual strong CBD it works

[@alaner1383]

A lot of 'Last Samurai Syndrome' folks in the comments here. It's OK to admit something negative about a country, maybe people actually aren't that helpful in Japan, relatively.

[@rbaxter286]

That Ranking Report sounds like it used a very amateur/poor choice of words ..., deliberate or accidental? From what I've heard here and what you've re-explained, I'd rather ask for help in a foreign language in Japan than in (too) many parts of the US. Good rejoinder to the name and shame. Surveys like that are meant to boost charity through shame, otherwise what ARE they for? I'm really reminded of the local real estate/realtor associations bragging how fair and unbiased they are, real shining examples to the rest of us ..., but they don't mention all the SPECIFICALLY TARGETED ANTI-RACIST-DISCRIMINATION LAWS WRITTEN SPECIFICALLY TO GET REALTORS TO STOP RACIAL PROFILING AND UTTERLY RACIST BUSINESS PRACTICES. Oh yeah, they're meant to get the report generators paid for the report and/or show how generous they are to issue such a report.

[@sharkasm1906]

Anything butt karaoke 👍