Shopping Culture in Japan & the World

17 December, 2025

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This week's class was about shopping culture in Japan and how it compares to shopping culture in other countries, especially the Netherlands. In many ways, shopping in Japan is quite similar to the Netherlands, but there are also clear differences. One noticeable difference is the way shopping spaces are built. In Japan, shopping malls and stores are often built vertically, with many floors on top of each other due to limited space in cities. In the Netherlands, we have a mix: some shopping centers have multiple floors, but many malls and shopping streets are spread out horizontally with only one or two floors.

The survey we did in class also showed how people think differently about customer service. For me, good service means clear communication, a polite attitude, and knowing how to help when I am looking for a product. I do not need over-politeness or bowing. During discussions, I noticed that many students had similar experiences to mine, especially the less positive ones. For example, staff following you around the store or immediately asking, 'What are you looking for?' I understand that this is meant to show interest and offer help, but it can feel uncomfortable, especially when you are just browsing, which happens most of the time. Also, I was the only one that said 'never' to thanking for the payment. I am not used to thank the cashier, when I paid and lost my money. 

The video about Japanese etiquette was partly familiar to me, but I learned something new about eating while walking. I already knew that making a mess on the street is considered rude, but I did not realize it is also about showing respect for the people behind the food, such as farmers and chefs. This showed me how deeply respect is embedded in everyday Japanese shopping and eating culture.


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