Curious Habits of Japan
Joe Peters
Managing Director of iSearch - Japan's best recruiting firm! (Follow iSearch on our LinkedIn page -Link is below) | Japan Partner for Continental Search Alliance
Driving along with a young Japanese friend today I pointed out to him how so many homes have the blinds closed or curtains shut tight on their windows. I asked if he keeps his curtains open (during the daytime hours) or closed. He said he keeps them closed,
“Why,” I asked? “Because my mother always told me to,” he replied. And no, he doesn’t live at home with his mother. I then asked him what floor he lives on. Turns out, he’s on the 26th floor of a condo building, so chances of passers by looking into his windows are pretty slim. But, there is a building next to his condo that is the same height and he said that the unit in the building across from him also keeps their curtains closed. He said that he had seen his neighbor once and he looks like a bad man. Yep, guess you wouldn’t want that guy leaping across the gap or gazing into you wide open window!
I told him that we prefer to have our curtains open during the daytime so we can have natural light in the place. Given the fact that he works 12 or more hours per day (lawyer) I guess that’s not too important to him. Of course, if you have a southwest facing apartment (a favorite direction for many when deciding on a dwelling’s location in Japan) the afternoon sun can be pretty brutal, especially in the summer, so that really is a good reason for keeping the curtains closed.
I mentioned that in my neighborhood there are a number of people who tend to keep their curtains open. Sure, he said, but a lot of wealthy people live in your neighborhood (true or not, it seems to be a common conception of our neighborhood for many people here in Tokyo) so they don’t mind if people see into their houses because they have nice things and nice rooms. Upon reflection, I agree that may be true. I’ve glimpsed rooms through uncurtained windows in homes near us with nice wall decorations, chandeliers, nice floral arrangements, and more. So, perhaps he’s right. Maybe its and ‘if you’ve got it, flaunt it’ attitude of some of the local residents.
How’s your neighborhood, either in Japan or your own country? Are the blinds closed and the curtains pulled tight?
CFO | Driving Growth & Transformation in IT & AI | M&A and Private Equity Expertise
5 年In Japan, our windows (a 3-story house) overlook the road and a park, but we always keep our curtains open as it is pleasant to smile to someone who peeks in our house. We like seeing people passing by. ?It is also nice to have sunlight in the house. Even in the evening, when it is dark and we have dinner, we still keep the curtains open often. There is nothing to show off in our house, but we like feeling a connection with people. The people are friendly in Japan.?
Senior Manager - Sales & Marketing, Agency & Services at Cornerstone Recruitment Japan K.K.
5 年My apartment has a glass brick wall in the lounge plus glass doors to the balcony, I have too much light!
JLPT N2 - Japanese Interpreter and Translator .Automotive| Presently - Educator and Japan education and Work Guide | Japanese Interviews Preparation and Effective Resume Reviews. Aspiring Ghostwriter
5 年I keep windows closed but doors open.
I find Japanese offices are generally (a) too hot and (b) too dark with their closed blinds.