Japanese people don’t like standing out in the crowd

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Japanese people generally don't like being in the spotlight. It really shows when they go to a classical music concert.

The performance is fabulous. And the piece comes to an end. And everybody knows this piece has come to an end because it’s Haydn, it’s not contemporary classical music where nobody has a clue of what’s going the whole time.

But Japanese people in the audience will wait until they hear other people clapping. Because there is a slight chance there is more and it will be embarassing if they get it wrong.

So there can be a good 5 seconds of awkward silence. So someone in the concert hall staff initiates applause. Then, everybody starts clapping.

So giving a standing ovation is out of the question. We need a Westerner in the audience to take the lead in showing your emotional response to an excellent performance. Because if you’re a Japanese person and you find yourself being the only person standing, that’s like the end of your life.

I’m exaggerating a bit 😂, but only a little bit 🫠.

To find out the cultural reason behind it, please check out my Amazon Best Seller books: Folk Tales of Japan, Underdogs of Japanese History, and Horror Tales of Japan

Link to Kyota Ko’s book page: https://kyotako.myportfolio.com/