OK, so a few posts ago, I wrote about the tipping culture of Japan, and advised against tipping—as the Japanese person will not accept it—and to make them accept a tip is culturally inappropriate. Well, if only I would take my own advice! Gary, Michael and I travelled by taxi from the Sumo stadium to the train (with all of our luggage). The taxi driver’s boot was too small for both our suitcases, so we had to put one in the front seat, which meant that the driver had to move all his stuff off the front seat and transfer it into the boot (there was a little bit of space left after Gary’s luggage was jammed into it). He didn’t speak English, but we pointed to the map where we wanted to go, and he took us there, happily and without grumbling about the inconvenience we were causing him. When we arrived at the train station, he even pointed us in the direction to go, and told us in the few words of English that he had how we were to make our way there (the use of hand gestures is also useful in language barrier situations).
Gary paid him the fare, received the change and then tried to give the driver a tip (only a small one, because we didn’t want to be over the top in a culture where tipping doesn’t occur). Gary got the money in the driver’s hand, and then the driver realized what had happened, and refused to take it—insisting on giving it back to Gary. So, the moral to the story is—don’t give anyone a tip—hospitality staff, taxi drivers, anyone! It is definitely not a part of Japanese culture, and they don’t want it—so save yourself the trouble and them the embarrassment. OK, consider our tipping lesson learnt!
A break in Japan and travelling with a baby 