Customs: What's Rude and What's Not

I've been to Japan before, as I've mentioned in an earlier post.  So I thought that not many things would faze me this time around, but there's a few minor things that totally jumped out this time around.  They're not big things, and I am more than fine with doing things that Japanese way, but I thought these would be interesting to share.

One of the first things I noticed when I had my first breakfast with a family was that everyone puts their bread on top of their cup.  My partner tells me this might be an Asian thing, as like when there's not room on the plate or no separate plate for the bread, they put the bread on top of the cup.  It's because it'd be weird to get leftover food particles on the bread.  In my family it'd be considered totally rude to do that.  I know I was never explicitly told not to, but no one has ever done it in my family and my extended family other than like, while at a party, with a paper cup, and while moving the food to wear one is going to seat and eat.  And that's just me thinking that I've seen a relative do that before.  It's more common just to deal with whatever food you're eating touching the bread.  Now I think everyone's slices of bread on top of the mugs is pretty cute although it is a bit of a hassle when I want to take a drink.

Another thing is that people don't really say "sorry" or "excuse me" as much as someone in the States might when they bump into someone.  Of course, when I'm working here and bump into a worker he/she and I exchange sorries, but when I was at Machida Eki people were in a rush and it was only a couple of times, and normally an older woman, that said "excuse me" to my "excuse me." (In Japanese, of course.)  Even in San Francisco or on the BART or something people say excuse me a lot more.  Of course, this is just an observation and isn't based on facts, and it's okay.

Another funny thing is how people don't say "bless you" or anything when sneezing.  Of course I knew this, but there's been many times when a kid sneezes at the table and I want to say something.  Also, it's not really common practice to turn away from the food when sneezing, and some of the kids even blow their nose at the dinner table while eating, haha.