American Teacher Working in Japan Highlights EXTREMELY Strict Rules
>
An American teacher working in Japan has revealed how the country’s schools are drastically different from those in the US, with a variety of strict rules.
Megan Heeney, who is from Kansas and has lived in Kyoto for more than six months, made a TikTok video with a caption overlay that read, “Things about my Japanese school that could send Americans into a coma.”
The expat then proceeds to list some of the surprising rules she’s come across, starting with not wearing outdoor shoes indoors.
She explains, while showing a clip of the school’s shoemakers: “We all have to change from outdoor to indoor shoes as soon as we enter the school.”
Megan Heeney, who is from Kansas and has lived in Kyoto for more than six months, made a TikTok video detailing some of the unusual school rules she has witnessed.
One of the rules that Megan says sends her “in an absolute spiral almost daily” is the open window policy. She’s also not mad at the no piercing and no makeup rule.
Next, Megan says that the kids are required to “clean the school from top to bottom every day.”
She demonstrates her cleaning skills by cutting clips showing spotless polished hardwood floors and a rack of ironed linens.
At lunch, Megan reveals that the children serve themselves their food and clean up their own trays instead of the lunch lady doing it for them.
She says of this point, “This certainly blew my mind, but definitely in a good way.”
One of the rules that Megan says sends her “in an absolute spiral almost daily” is the open window policy.
The educator explains while modeling a knee-length puffer coat: ‘They leave the windows open and there is no heating or air conditioning in the hallway, so I have to walk around in a coat.’
On the appearance side, Megan says that her Japanese school is very strict about certain things.
She details several of her main complaints, telling viewers, “Probably the most coma-inducing part is the dress code.”
So far, Megan’s video about Japanese schools has been viewed more than 15 million times, with many viewers debating the rules.
Outdoor shoes are not allowed inside Megan’s school and students are required to clean the school “from top to bottom” every day.
‘Girls have to wear their hair in a low bun over the shoulders or in a pony. There is definitely no dyed hair, so no anime protagonists.
“And I don’t follow these rules, but I don’t have piercings or makeup.”
So far, Megan’s video about Japanese schools has been viewed more than 15 million times, with many viewers debating the rules.
Creator @Hayley wrote: “Honestly I like the shoes and cleaning school and lunches too but I think the hair thing is weird.”
While @fujiwara_no_fumos said: ‘I love that they clean the school. It gives children a sense of community while encouraging them not to leave a mess for someone else.’
In another TikTok, Megan mentions some more general things about Japan that “could put an American in a coma.”
she starts with ‘don’t talk on the phone on trains’ and ‘honestly, don’t talk’.
The American continues: “I’ve seen a few people do it here and there and they just get judging looks.”
In another TikTok, Megan mentions some more general things about Japan that “could put an American in a coma.”
Next, list all you can eat and drink at restaurants.
She explains that they are “quite common and quite cheap” in Japan, saying that “all-you-can-drink restaurant is a responsibility that I don’t think Americans can handle.”
One of the rules Megan says she’s messed up while living in Japan is the no-shoes policy in locker rooms.
She says the locker room attendants also “give you a sheet to cover your face so you don’t put on makeup or sweat or whatever you’re trying on.”
Continuing on the theme of dressing up, Megan says that when it comes to hot springs or public baths, “you’re not supposed to wear anything at all.” No swimsuits, no towel, nothing. You’re supposed to go in there, hang out, and figure it all out.
Lastly, a rule of etiquette that Megan says she has seen many expats ‘screw up countless times’ is to stand on escalators.
She explains: ‘You mustn’t block the escalator here. What I mean by that is that one side of the escalator is for people who want to stand and wait for you to go up.
‘The other side is for people who want to walk up. I wish I could tell you which side is which, but it changes by region.