Outing host Catriona Rowntree was left stunned after she was stopped on the street in Japan with an unusual request from a local resident.
The 52-year-old television host was filming in Kanazawa City when she was asked not to film anyone walking around and eating.
“This is the first time I’ve ever been asked this… and I understand why. Although I may have eaten some sushi (it was so tasty) from a vending machine, we ate straight away and took our rubbish with us,” Catriona revealed on Instagram.
Walking and eating is common for Australians, Americans and English, but is much less common in other countries.
Japanese standards discourage people from walking and eating to avoid throwing trash on the streets. It is also considered rude.
TV star Catriona Rowntree (right) was left stunned after being stopped on the street in Japan with an unusual request from a local
Catriona explained, “We were “responsible for our own nonsense” and for the Japanese, they learn this concept as soon as they enter kindergarten. Children must clean their own classrooms, including the toilets!
‘Locals don’t eat on the streets, only tourists have takeaway coffee (obviously there are exceptions but we’ve never seen a local do this) and the idea that showing people eating on the streets encourages the mess is a concept that I can understand. ‘
Hundreds of Australians expressed their awe at the discipline.
“What a great philosophy to live by,” said one man. “I wish Australia could adopt some of their customs.”
“We couldn’t find any seats at the food courts in Shinjuku. After chatting with the locals the expectation was that you would bring food to the park to eat and relax, then take the rubbish home. We did that and it was so beautiful to see everyone interacting, flying kites and playing,” another traveler added.
A Japanese teacher shared her experiences with Australian students.
‘I have taken many Australian students to Japan and we practice with them before we leave. Yes, it means that sometimes when we are hungry, we take food with us until we find somewhere to sit,” she said.
‘And yes, we start the day with half-empty backpacks, so we have room for our waste. Even if it includes a fish carcass, because someone chose to eat a whole fish for lunch in the park.’
The 52-year-old TV host was filming in Kanazawa City when she was asked not to film anyone walking around and eating
Tourists are encouraged to learn about the traditions and accepted behavior of the country they are traveling to.
A Japanese shop previously went viral after criticizing foreign tourists for rude behavior towards staff, littering and poor public etiquette.
An American traveler came across a large sign in Tokyo scolding tourists for having “bad manners” and “breaking” supermarket rules.
The list hung next to the entrance to the store.
Staff had to clear out tourists littering the store and put items back on the shelves in the wrong place, and were angry at those who opened products before purchasing them.
Tourists also unreasonably expect staff to speak English.