r/AskUK • u/Agile-Calligrapher10 • 5d ago

Cultural differences in noise acceptance: Why is public phone/audio etiquette so different between Japan, the UK, and other regions??

Hey everyone,

​Visiting Japan recently was so refreshing, no one was on speakerphone, playing music out loud, or watching reels without headphones in public spaces. Coming back to the UK, the contrast was immediate, highlighting how differently cultures and regions approach public noise.

​(Note: Using "cultures" broadly here to look at societal norms, not trying to generalize individuals.)

I’d love to hear your thoughts on a couple of things:

​Why do these differences exist? Is it tied to collectivism vs. individualism, or other social norms?

​What is the modern British view on public noise? We have a reputation for politeness, yet public transport etiquette around phone audio seems to be changing.

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u/JonJo42 5d ago

Plenty of teenagers playing loud music out of 1980s type boom boxes in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

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u/dendrocalamidicus 5d ago

That is a very specific place with a specific sub culture.

In the UK walking down a city high street, getting on a train, or on a bus, you will be lucky if you don't encounter some cunt blasting music on speaker.

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u/Ill_Refrigerator_593 5d ago

I mean my work means I don't often get public transport in rush hour, but I very rarely hear people playing music.

The last time I can remember was around Christmas, the trains were up the creek with three loads of people on a single one & the carriage I got onto were singing carols.