[English/Japanese]
Things that Surprised Foreign Students When They First Arrived in Japan - Toilets
Have you ever heard the story that the first thing that surprises foreigners when they arrive at a Japanese airport is the toilet? It is said that many people are confused when they first encounter a toilet lid that opens automatically or a warm toilet seat. In this article, I would like to introduce some stories about toilets.
Which button should I press? How to use a high-function toilet.
The most common question I get from international students is how to use a high-function toilet. There are so many buttons on a high-function toilet, and they don't know which button to press, so they get stuck in the toilet. It's especially hard to find the most important button, the water flush button. Some toilets have easy-to-understand buttons that say "flowing FLASH" in English, while others have only the Chinese characters for "large" and "small" written on them. The "large" button is for flushing more water, and the "small" button is for flushing less. There is also a button for people who are sick to call the clerk. In women's restrooms, there is even a button to mute the sound in the toilet. Before locking the door, make sure you know where the "flush" button is, and if you are not sure, ask a Japanese person nearby.
Where do you throw away toilet paper? Let's keep good manners.
The most common problem at Japanese language schools is how to dispose of used toilet paper. Many students do not know that it is okay to flush toilet paper down the toilet in Japan. In some countries, you can throw it in a trash can inside or outside the toilet. If you do this in Japan, it will be a breach of etiquette. Please be careful. Also, the use of toilets differs depending on the religion. In our school, we once had a quarrel between a student who used water and a student who used paper in the bathroom because they became roommates. If you are planning to live with students of other religions, please talk to them carefully.
Where do you wipe your hands? Japanese with a handkerchief
In your country, what do you use to wipe your hands after washing them in the bathroom? In Japan, there are many stores that do not have towels or paper to wipe your hands. This is because Japanese people usually carry a handkerchief with them. In Japan, from the time you are a small child, it is a rule to bring a tissue and a handkerchief to school. For this reason, department stores sell handkerchiefs of various designs, and even 100 yen stores sell them, so why not carry them with you?
Have you changed your common sense about toilets? Most toilets in Japan are free of charge, so please feel free to use them. Incidentally, our school has created posters in various languages with students on how to use the restroom. In addition, you can consult with us about roommates before and after you move into the dormitory. Hopefully we'll have more restrooms that are easy to use for people from all countries!
What surprised international students when they came to Japan ~Toilet~
Have you ever heard that the first thing that surprises foreigners when they arrive at the airport in Japan is the toilet? It seems that many people are confused when they encounter the toilet lid that opens automatically and the warm toilet seat for the first time. This time, I will introduce a story about toilets.
Which button should I press? How to use a high-performance toilet.
The most common question we receive from international students is about how to use high-performance toilets. High-performance toilets have a lot of buttons, and they don't know which button to press, so they get in trouble in the toilet. It's especially hard not to find the button that flushes the most important water. Depending on the toilet, there are easy-to-understand buttons that are written in English as "flush FLASH", and there are also places where only the kanji characters "large" and "small" are written. By the way, "large" is when you want to flow more water, and "small" is when you want to flow less. Sometimes I see toilets with a button for people who get sick to call the clerk. There is also a button in the women's restroom to turn off the sound of using the toilet. Before locking the key, check the "Flush" button first, and if you don't know, ask a nearby Japan.
Where to throw away toilet paper? Keep good manners.
Japanese the biggest problem at school is how to throw away used toilet paper. Many students do not know that it is okay to flush toilet paper in the toilet of the Japan. In some countries, you may throw it in the trash can inside or outside the toilet. If you do this in Japan, it will be a violation of manners. Please be careful. In addition, the use of the toilet depends on the religion. In the past, a student who used water in the toilet and a student who used paper became roommates and got into a fight. If you plan to live with students of other religions, talk to them often.
Where to wipe your hands? Japan man with a handkerchief
In your country, what do you wipe your hands on after washing them in the bathroom? In Japan, there are many shops that do not have towels or paper to wipe hands. That's because Japan people usually carry handkerchiefs with them. In Japan, it is customary to bring tissues and handkerchiefs as school items from the time you are a small child. Therefore, department stores sell handkerchiefs of various designs. They are also sold at stores for 100 yen, so please take them with you.
Has your toilet common sense changed? Most of the toilets in Japan are free, so please feel free to use them. By the way, at our school, we have created posters in various languages with students about how to use the toilet and put them up. You can also consult with them about your roommate before and after moving into the dormitory. It would be great if there were more toilets that are easy for people from any country to use!
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